Conversations with CELA: Vice President of Research
Dear CELA Members,
 
Plans for the CELA 2020 conference: 100 Years of CELA, March 18-21 in Louisville, Kentucky are coming along great. The call for abstracts will be sent out later this month including three new  conference tracks:  100 Years of CELA: Past, Present, Future, Landscape and Health, and Geo-spatial and Digital Analytics. More information will be coming soon and posted on the CELA website.  http://thecela.org/cela-2020/
Conversation with  representative Ken Brooks, from the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board
Where do you teach and what do you teach?
I am Professor of Landscape Architecture + Urban Design and Director of the PhD Program in The Design School at Arizona State University. I teach advanced design, ecological planning, research methods and GIS applications and conduct research in landscape design performance and design pedagogy/andragogy.
 
  Interesting fun fact: your family/personal life, the reason for choosing this profession, life lessons?
I enjoy participating in chorale music and have participated in two performance tours in Europe.
What is your CELA position title, Committee name and members, and a summary, in your own words, of responsibilities with CELA?
I currently serve as CELA's appointed Representative on the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). I have served two terms (2014-2016 & 2016-2019).
Why did you get involved with CELA?
I attended my first CELA Conference in 1977 when we chartered the LA Honor Society of Sigma Lambda Alpha. I attended again a few years later when CELA changed the conference format to provide participants opportunities to present scholarly papers.

What is your committee currently working on?
I served as the Chair of LAAB during 2018. I also serve CELA's Academy of Fellows as the Secretary-Treasurer. During the past 40 years, I've served positions as Regional Representative, Vice President, President, and been Sigma Lambda Alpha officer (Representative, VP, President), and a CELA Conference Co-Host.
What has been the most rewarding part of your service work to CELA?
It is always rewarding to engage with professional peers and colleagues. This network has lead to some very satisfying friendships.
What has been the most challenging?
I've regularly worked to facilitate and enhance the communication and collaboration between and among our various landscape architectural organizations. 

Ken is nearing the end of his term and CELA will be looking for a replacement soon. Thank you Ken for your many years of CELA service.  


Ashley Steffens, Associate Professor
University of Georgia, College of Environment and Design
CELA President 2019-2020