Partnerships with Purpose

In this episode, Meet Dr. Galen Newman, we sit down with Dr. Galen Newman, Department Head of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (LAUP). Hear about his journey, vision, and leadership style, and get to know the person guiding the future of LAUP. As a research leader, he brings together urban regeneration, flood resilience, spatial analytics, and community engagement into powerful, design-driven solutions. 

In this episode, 'Meet the Cooper Scholars,' we hear from Windya Welideniya (Master’s student in Urban and Regional Planning) and Jaelin Lopez (junior in Urban and Regional Planning), the first recipients of the John T. Cooper, Jr. Foundation Excellence Award. Listen in on their inspiring stories and how they became involved in the field of planning. 

In this episode, 'Research for Communities,' we hear from Dr. Nathanael Rosehenheim, Research Associate Professor and Interim Director of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center (HRRC). Tune in to learn about how Dr. Rosehenheim applies data-driven research practices to engage with communities across Texas.

In this episode, 'Community Engagement Rules of Thumb,' we hear again from Dr. John T. Cooper Jr. about his introduction to the Texas Target Communities program and learn some of the important community engagement principles that guide our work!

In this episode 'Getting to Know John Cooper: A Community Engagement Story,' we hear from Dr. John T. Cooper Jr., a professor of practice in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University and director emeritus of our program, Texas Target Communities. Get ready to dive into his journey and discover how community engagement became the driving force of his career.

In this episode, we again hear from Forrest Williams (a former student and also), Director of Administrative Services at the City of Caldwell. This time he talks about his experience as a community partner. He shares how the City tested new ways to engage residents using virtual platforms. He also speaks about his appreciation of working with students.  Let’s hear the conversation: 

In this episode, 'From a Student’s Perspective,' I talk with Forrest Williams, a former student who worked with a community as part of his college coursework. He talks about the project, his experience, and the challenges students often face. He says, “It was stressful in the moment, but looking back, that’s how every meeting goes.”

In this episode, “Community Impact”, we hear again from the city manager of Nolanville, Kara Escajeda. We worked with Nolanville again in 2019 in 7 classes with the ENDEAVR initiative. She talks about the community impacts of student work.

Website: https://www.nolanvilletx.gov/page/My%20Nolanville%20App

In this episode on “How the Planning Process Enables Movement” we hear again from Dr. Shannon Van Zant former associate executive dean of the School of Architecture where she talks about the role of community planning as a method for universities to authentically engage communities.

 In our first episode on “The Origins of Texas Target Communities,” you will hear from Dr Shannon Van Zandt former associate executive dean of the School of Architecture.  She reflects on the history of the program to serve the citizens of Texas and the value for students. 

Stay tuned for many stories ahead with faculty and community members about the partnerships formed, and the work completed through Texas Target Communities!