EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC, 1991

Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 1994

 

SCHOLARLY INTERESTS

 

RECOGNITION

Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, Academy of Fellows, 2022.

CED Crowley Professor of Urban Planning and Design, 2021.

UGA Women’s Leadership Fellow, 2021.

CELA President’s Award, 2021.

UGA Career Center Career Development recognition, 2019.

UGA Office of Global Engagement, Dedicato a Cortona Italy award, 2019.

CED Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award, 2018.

UGA Focus on Faculty, 2018.

UGA Center for Teaching and Learning’s Teacher of the Week Award, 2015.

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Crowley Professor of Urban Planning and Design
CELA, Academy of Fellows
ASLA, Member

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA), President

CELA VP for Communication, Outreach, and Publications

CELA track co-chair

ASLA Committee on Education

Landscape Journal Managing Editor

Landscape Architect and Specifier News Associate Editor of Technology, Cortona Study Abroad Program (2007, 2015, 2018), UGA Costa Rica Study Abroad (2012)

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Ashley Steffens on LinkedIn   |   Messages from the Associate Dean

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TEACHING

Professor Steffens is a dedicated educator who has taught design studios, manual and digital graphic communication, portfolio development, and plant identification. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses including study abroad programs in Cortona, Italy and Costa Rica. Steffens also serves as an advisor/committee member for graduate thesis students.

Among many accolades and recognitions, she was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Teaching Innovation, Outstanding Junior Teaching Faculty Award, CED Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award, Cortona Study Abroad Faculty award, inducted into the

Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Academy of Fellows, and a UGA Women’s Leadership Fellow.

 

SCHOLARSHIP

Professor Steffens’ research has been on technology and the profession, women in landscape architecture, and administration. Her early research tracked shifts in the profession which became the foundation of her published book titled Computer Graphics for Landscape Architects, an Introduction. She contributed a book chapter in Nadia Amoroso’s book In Representing Landscapes: Analogue, building on her passion of graphics, titled “The Hand Graphics

Experience.” Professor Steffens has been successful in writing and publishing peer-reviewed articles, abstracts in conference proceedings, professional articles, organizational reports and bulletins, and other creative contributions such as exhibits and workshops. Additionally, Professor Steffens has held editorial positions. As a Managing Editor of Landscape Journal, she worked closely with Dan Nadenicek and David Pitt overseeing the publication of seven journal issues. She has served as Co-Editor of Landscape Research Record and as Associate Editor of Technology for Landscape Architect and Specifier News.

 

SERVICE

Professor Steffens’ service record is outstanding reflecting dedication to the University and the profession of landscape architecture. She has served on University Council and the Executive Committee, as the faculty advisor for the CED student organization, GSLA, and she has participated in a panel discussion on women in landscape architecture, hosted by the Georgia Chapter of ASLA. Steffens regularly participates as a ROVE member (Rosters of Visiting Evaluators) for the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) providing evaluation and insights into accreditation processes to numerous programs across the nation.

In 2016, Professor Steffens was elected to the CELA Executive Committee as VP of Communication, Outreach and Publications, and in 2018 was elected to serve a three-year term as President. During her presidency, Professor Steffens was instrumental in leading efforts to determine the scale and scope needed for CELA’s new Executive Director and participated in the successful national search resulting in the hire of IMI Association Executives. She led the efforts for developing the CELA Global Investiture Fund, revising CELA’s By-laws after regaining lost tax status, as well as charging a task force with exploring the future direction of Landscape Journal. Steffens played an important role in two significant CELA strategic planning forums that yielded CELA’s new strategic map, vision and mission statements. Additionally, Steffens provided great leadership to CELA when Covid-19 outbreak resulted in the unprecedented need for alternatives to the in-person annual conference.

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Hand graphics, computer graphics, technology, portfolio and professional development, educational/public gardens and parks, and women in landscape architecture.

 

Selected Publications

Steffens, Ashley, Ebru Ozer, Charlene LeBleu, Hala Nassar. “Status of Women in Landscape Architecture: A Study of ASLA and CELA Career Success Metrics.” Landscape Journal. vol. 43, issue 1. 2024.

Shariati, Farnaz, Ashley Steffens. 2023. “Designing Environments that Contribute to a Reduction in the Progression of Parkinson’s Disease.” Health and Place. vol 83. Elsevier https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103105. Steffens, Ashley. “The Hand Graphics Experience.” Representing Landscapes: Analogue, edited by Nadia Amoroso, 2018.

Steffens, Ashley. “Evolving Graphics in Landscape Architecture: Professional Demands on Educational Institutions.” International Journal of Higher Education and Human Development 3, no. 4: 26-30. 2017.

Steffens, Ashley. “Tech Trends.” Landscape Architect and Specifier News 04, vol. 32: 14, 16. Http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article-a.php?number=28349 . 2016

Calabria, Ashley and Jose Buitrago. Computer Graphics for Landscape Architects: An Introduction. 2008.