April 13, 2022
Gibson to be new head of landscape architecture and regional & community planning
Huston Gibson, professor of landscape architecture and regional & community planning, has been named head of the landscape architecture and regional & community planning department in the Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning & Design, effective in July.
"I am looking forward to working with faculty, staff and students at APDesign on the important challenges of community and environmental health, prosperity and equity — areas where landscape architecture and regional & community planning can play an innovative leadership role in society," Gibson said.
Gibson has been a K-State faculty member in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design in the landscape architecture and regional & community planning department since 2010. He has worked with all programs in the department, including serving as the director of the community development program since 2015.
"Professor Gibson, a proven collaborator, has demonstrated his capacity to lead, leveraging the strengths and trajectory of the department through his leadership in the growth of GPIDEA offerings in community development and his contributions to the introduction of new curriculum and programs within the college," said Tim de Noble, college dean. "I look forward to his dynamic presence as an engaged departmental administrator."
Gibson received his Doctor of Philosophy in planning from Florida State University and his Master of Science in planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Gibson has worked in the private and public sectors of the planning and design professions and has a background in real estate and development. His overarching scholastic aim is to better understand the comprehensive dynamics that comprise the well-being of our communities and regions, and the people who live, work and play in them.
Gibson actively engages with communities and publishes in his focus area. His recent work has been published in the journals of Community Development in 2021 and 2016; Local Development and Society in 2021; Qualitative Research in 2021; Frontiers of Architectural Research in 2021; and Service-Learning in Higher Education in 2020. He published a recent chapter on ensuring participatory planning in the International Association of Community Development book on International Community Development Practice in 2021.
Gibson has a long record of advising students and teaching a wide selection of departmental courses, earning him multiple recognitions, including an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association in 2018, and the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2016.
In addition, he has received multiple awards and recognitions for his role as director with the community development program, including two Great Plains IDEA awards in 2022 and 2019; a 2017 Graduate Student Council and Graduate School Award from the College of Architecture, Planning & Design for outstanding work as the director; and the 2016 Exceptional Credit Program Award from the Association for Continuing Higher Education Great Plains Region.
Gibson replaces Stephanie Rolley, who is retiring after leading the department for the past 13 years.