The Edge July/August 2025

embracing all the new technology and really trying to home in and solidify ca reer paths that we can get the message out to attract students to come find their way in the industry I think is really important. I think there are more and more challenges in terms of recruitment across all programs. For us to have a clear message for how we’re going to approach that, I think, is really critical for the industry as a whole. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER EDUCATORS TRYING TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE LANDSCAPING FIELD? I think it is reaching out and trying to communicate with as many people as you can. That’s through social media platforms, but really, once you find some body who has an interest, one-on-one communicating with them to try to help show them and help explain to them all the opportunities that they really do have in this industry is key. TE

say for us, we probably could do a better job of reaching out and asking people, but we are 100% always looking for peo ple that want to give back, want to come sit in on a jury or give a lecture. There’s ample opportunity. It really is beneficial to the students as well to have industry and company folks involved in programs. I would highly recommend that they reach out to somebody and find a way to make that happen. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE NAMED THE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR? It is very rewarding. It’s also unexpected. It makes me feel very proud, maybe a lit tle emotional, that they thought enough of me to nominate me. I’m very happy and humbled to be the recipient of this. There have been a lot of people that I have a lot of respect for who have won this award in the past, and so I don’t take that lightly. I appreciate it very much. IN FIVE YEARS, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE FIELD OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITEC TURE EDUCATION HEADED? I think it’s continuing to evolve. I think

ceptions on what they think their career paths might be. Over my time in this organization and others have made significant strides in overcoming that awareness and perception hurdle, but we still have a lot of work to do. WHY IS RECRUITING NEW STUDENTS TO YOUR PROGRAM SO IMPORTANT? They’re the lifeblood of the program. They’re not only the lifeblood, ultimately, of the industry, but that’s what keeps our programs open. It’s what allows us to get funding. It’s what allows us to make sure that we are doing as well as we can do by imparting knowledge, wisdom and encouragement to as many people as possible. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO LANDSCAPE COMPANIES THAT WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED WITH THEIR LOCAL COLLEGES? I would highly recommend that they do. I would say reach out to someone at the university, whether that’s someone that they know in the department or at the college level, just to get involved. I would

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