Preparing the Next Generation of Urban Planners

"Justin Golbabai, AICP, CNU-A, CFM is an Associate Professor of the Practice and Coordinator of the Bachelors of Science in Urban & Regional Planning Program at Texas A&M University and founding principal of Common Home Planning & Design. Prior to his current endeavors, Justin served as Planning Administrator for the … Read More

"Justin Golbabai, AICP, CNU-A, CFM is an Associate Professor of the Practice and Coordinator of the Bachelors of Science in Urban & Regional Planning Program at Texas A&M University and founding principal of Common Home Planning & Design. Prior to his current endeavors, Justin served as Planning Administrator for the City of College Station, TX and Neighborhood Partnering Program Manager for the City of Austin, TX. Justin’s work partnering with neighborhoods earned numerous national awards in sustainability and innovation. Despite these awards and winning the ""Punniest of Show"" in the O'Henry Wold Pun-Off Championships, Justin considers his greatest accomplishment marrying the most amazing woman in the world and raising their four children. " Read Less

Jaimie Hicks Masterson, AICP, is director of Texas Target Communities at Texas A&M University, a high impact service-learning and engaged research program that works alongside low capacity communities within the university curriculum. She is author of Planning for Community Resilience: A Handbook for Reducing Vulnerabilities to Disasters and Engaged Research … Read More

Jaimie Hicks Masterson, AICP, is director of Texas Target Communities at Texas A&M University, a high impact service-learning and engaged research program that works alongside low capacity communities within the university curriculum. She is author of Planning for Community Resilience: A Handbook for Reducing Vulnerabilities to Disasters and Engaged Research for Community Resilience to Climate Change. Read Less

Associate Professor, Texas A&M University In 2015, Dr. Ivis García earned her Ph.D. in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In fall 2022, she assumed the role of Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. Throughout her … Read More

Associate Professor, Texas A&M University In 2015, Dr. Ivis García earned her Ph.D. in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In fall 2022, she assumed the role of Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. Throughout her career, Dr. García has taught graduate and undergraduate classes in community engagement in planning, planning communication, and studio courses in cities such as Chicago, Puerto Rico, and Salt Lake City. Her research is focused on engagement, housing, and community development and she has been awarded more than $1 million in external research funding from the EPA, National Science Foundation, and the Natural Hazard Center. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, five book chapters, and 40 technical reports, including the first American Planning Association PAS Report on diversity, “Planning with Diverse Communities.” Additionally, Dr. García has presented over 60 keynote or invited talks, including funded addresses at U. de Guadalajara, Columbia University, and Georgia Tech. Furthermore, Ivis has been recognized for her housing justice work in Puerto Rico with disaster victims with IRP’s Emerging Poverty Scholars and Ford Foundation Fellowships. Read Less

"Dr. Van Zandt is a distinguished Professor of Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. She has an undergraduate degree in environmental design and a Masters of Urban Planning, both from Texas A&M, as well as a doctorate in City & Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel … Read More

"Dr. Van Zandt is a distinguished Professor of Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. She has an undergraduate degree in environmental design and a Masters of Urban Planning, both from Texas A&M, as well as a doctorate in City & Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Van Zandt has established a unique research area within the housing and disaster fields, which focuses on the impact of the spatial distribution of residential land on exposure, impact, and consequences from natural disasters, particularly for socially vulnerable populations. She has authored or co-authored one book on community resilience (with another under contract) and more than 50 journal articles, book chapters, professional papers, and technical reports. Her work has been cited more than 1500 times and is included in essential texts within her discipline. Dr. Van Zandt is also a strong advocate for policy related to her research. She serves on the board of Texas Housers, a non-profit organization that has played a critical role in bringing better resources to low-income areas affected by disasters in her home state. She also works with a local non-profit organization, REACH, to provide affordable housing and health care solutions to the 3,300 contract workers who provide custodial, food, and facilities services to the University. Additionally, she serves on the advisory committee of Texas Sea Grant and has testified before the Texas State Legislature three times over the past three years on issues related to disaster recovery. She is a member of the board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Planning Education & Research." Read Less