A message from our DEPARTMENT HEAD

Keith Christensen, Department Head

I enjoy hiking. A person can witness incredible landscapes across the woods and wilds of the Intermountain West from a hiking trail. It is comfortably predictable to walk a welltraveled trail. But the welltraveled trail is only the “prior interpretation of the best way to traverse a landscape” (Wanderlust: A History of Walking). You will find a different perspective of the landscape, and yourself, walking a different interpretation.

This past year LAEP walked a different interpretation of landscape architecture and environmental planning education. LAEP’s faculty and students found new ways to add to the creative energy, enthusiasm, and studio culture that is the hallmark of LAEP. Studios met remotely when necessary and in person when possible. Our studios expanded to include the homes of students and faculty. We found ways to connect, instruct, share, and support through online platforms as well as safe spaces. Our LAEP landscape expanded this past year.

LAEP students collaborated on award winning projects in Pune, India with students and faculty from BNCA College of Architecture for Women in India. LAEP held a very successful week-long charrette with the City of Santaquin, Utah. Distinguished professionals from all over the United States ‘visited’ LAEP remotely to speak with our students as part of LAEP’s Speaker Series and to guest lecture in classes. Studios included more community-engaged projects than ever, with students collaborating with communities over great distances and sharing their final projects with larger and more diverse audiences. Our faculty engaged in scholarly work and shared their work across the world. These are just a few of the ways our LAEP landscape expanded this past year, in response to difficult worldwide conditions where we had to walk a different interpretation. The perspective of the past year emphasizes what we have known all along; the heart of LAEP is students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

I have had the opportunity to be a student, alum, faculty, and now head of our wonderful department. And although no one can ever step in the same river twice, over and over I have been blessed to witness how our students are the most enthusiastic, curious, creative, passionate students at USU. Our faculty continues to be world-class scholars, recognized leaders in their fields, and teachers who care about engaging with their students and communities. Our staff are outstanding, providing assistance to students and faculty in every aspect of what makes LAEP exceptional. And our alumni are passionate about LAEP, giving of their time and resources in support of the program and its students, engaged in the continued success of the program.

I am very enthusiastic and optimistic about the year ahead. The landscape of LAEP has grown as has our perspective. It is an honor and privilege to blaze this new trail with you!