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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
April 16, 2026

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From Institutional Advancement to Termination

Leading the Memphis College of Art Closure

By: R. Eric Platt, PhD

The college’s closure demonstrates that integrated planning is not limited to growth and expansion. It also offers a practical framework for aligning people, resources, and obligations when an institution must contract and ultimately close.

From Volume 54 Number 3 | April–June 2026

Abstract: This article examines the leadership decisions and processes implemented by the Memphis College of Art (MCA), following the 2017 decision to close due to financial debt and declining enrollment. Rather than ceasing operations immediately, MCA leaders executed a three-year teach-out plan while liquidating assets, repaying debts, and laying off employees, all while ensuring a legally compliant dissolution. As many colleges face longevity pressures, this case offers a rare look at how closure can be managed transparently, strategically, and with commitment to student success through an integrated planning approach that aligns academic, financial, and facilities decisions during the institution’s final years.

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Tool

Published
May 13, 2025

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Campus Contingency Planner

By: Elliot Felix, Buro Happold | Nicholas Santilli, PhD, SCUP

This tool is a template for lightweight, rapid contingency planning. It guides you through a process that identifies the impacts of change, how decisions during contingency planning will be made, and the operational components of programs and offerings that will need to be adapted in response.
Abstract: Times of rapid change can interrupt operations and implementation efforts. Preventing this requires an ability to quickly adapt our programs and offerings to the changing landscape. Unfortunately, operational complexity and the disorienting nature of uncertainty become a hurdle to rapid response. Either we get overwhelmed trying to identify all that needs to change, or we respond haphazardly, missing crucial details. Contingency planning can help. It is a method for preparing for potential changes that identifies how operations and action plans need to shift in response. It can also be used to respond to changes after they happen. The Campus Contingency Planner is a template for lightweight, rapid contingency planning. It guides you through a process that identifies the impacts of change, how decisions during contingency planning will be made, and the operational components of programs and offerings that will need to be adapted in response. Whether you manage student-facing programs (like academic programs or student affairs activities), or direct services that are internally supportive (like space management or IT), the Campus Contingency Planner can help you respond to change with flexibility, minimizing disruption and moving your institution forward.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
August 16, 2024

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Bridging Research Silos

Improve Collaboration with a Planning Framework

By: Donald Merritt, PhD, and Craig Park, BSArch, Assoc. AIA

The authors emphasize practical applications and the integration of diverse expertise as a transformative approach to educational facility design.

From Volume 52 Number 4 | July–September 2024

Abstract: This article explores the application of interdisciplinary translational design (ITD) as a method to overcome disciplinary silos, enhance collaboration and integration across various fields, and promote a culture of respect and cooperation. ITD facilitates the creation of adaptable, technology-rich environments supportive of future-oriented research. Emphasizing practical applications and the integration of diverse expertise, ITD is presented as a transformative approach to educational facility design, fostering more effective interdisciplinary interactions and optimized research outcomes.

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Conference Presentations

Published
March 5, 2024

Leveraging Performing Arts Programs to Enhance the Urban Condition

By: Stephen Brown-Fried, The New School | Jennifer Holmes, Pace University-New York | Ann Rolland, FXCollaborative | Austin Sakong, FXCollaborative

As the role of arts and culture in our cities evolves, institutions are responding by growing their performing arts programs to enhance connection and build community.
Abstract: As the role of arts and culture in our cities evolves, institutions are responding by growing their performing arts programs to enhance connection and build community. This session will explore how the planning, programming, and design of performing arts facilities at two institutions plays a vital role in reinvigorating and energizing the urban condition. Come learn how institutions can use the performing arts to enhance in-person eduction and advance arts and culture within an evolving technological paradigm.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
June 8, 2022

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Seven Lessons in Inclusive Campus Design

Learn How the University of Kentucky Developed Its First DEI Facilities and Spaces Plan

By: Mary Anne Ocampo, MArch, MAUD | Mary S. Vosevich, MBA | Katrice Albert, PhD

Institutions are starting to grapple with histories of developing indigenous lands and the legacy of an able-bodied vernacular within campus design that continues to reinforce in-groups and out-groups.

From Volume 50 Number 3 | April–June 2022

Abstract: A global health crisis intersecting with a racial reckoning has led to a renewed commitment to reflect on complex histories and plan for more inclusive futures on many American campuses. Institutions, which benefitted from traditional hierarchies of power, are starting to grapple with histories of developing indigenous lands and the legacy of a western and able-bodied vernacular within campus design that continues to reinforce in-groups and out-groups. The authors are presently leading first-of-their-kind DEI planning initiatives; in this article they unpack how a public institution is meeting their past head-on to plan better futures.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
January 19, 2022

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Partnerships Promote Inclusion

A university and a secondary school collaborate to decrease dropout rates and increase college enrollment

By: Vibhavari Jani, MA, and Tim Murrell, EdD

Intentional planning and a competency-based, personalized learning model empowers graduate students from the architecture discipline to assist secondary students in becoming knowledge seekers and design professionals.

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: American industries, professional organizations, individual companies, and higher education institutions continue to struggle to attract employees from underrepresented populations. Future-forward thinking is required to ensure a multicultural workforce. The authors, a design educator at a predominantly white, Midwestern university, and a high school principal at a multicultural urban school district, developed an intentional collaboration—partnerships between secondary and postsecondary institutions—to bridge the gap. In this article, they share strategies they developed for recruiting and retaining underrepresented students through intentional planning and design of competency-based, personalized learning models.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 15, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Building Diversity Through Innovative Engagement and Flexible Design

By: Christopher Kleingartner, Perkins&Will | Kent Marsh, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Join us to learn how you can engage diverse student groups in the design process with social media and new technology to create more inclusive and equitable campus spaces.
Abstract: Historically disenfranchised students are now gaining unprecedented empowerment and awareness, and in this session, we'll show how strategic and innovative engagement further empowers student diversity through design. Designing campus spaces with equitable access for all students can greatly improve their sense of engagement, safety, wellness, and belonging. Join us to learn how you can engage diverse student groups in the design process with social media and new technology to create more inclusive and equitable campus spaces.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 12, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Designing an Inclusive Post-pandemic Return to Campus

By: Katherine Hunter, The Ohio State University | Rebekah Matheny, The Ohio State University

This session will explore the process, key insights, and design interventions from our research project focused on designing a post-pandemic return to campus.
Abstract: In order to safely bringing students back to campus during the pandemic, it is imperative that we study diverse individual student journeys and actively engage them in co-designing the solutions. This session will explore the process, key insights, and design interventions from our research project focused on designing a post-pandemic return to campus. Come learn how you can apply student-centered research and design-thinking methods to solve the urgent problem of safely bringing students back to campus.

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 18, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Better Value and Outcomes through Integrative Design

By: Patricia Devine, Princeton University | Nadav Malin | Michael Pulaski, Thornton Tomasetti | Natalie Shivers, Princeton University

In this session, we'll share our results and challenges with the Integrative Design Process (IDP) at Princeton, and show how you can use an IDP to realize better value and outcomes for your campus project.
Abstract: The Integrative Design Process (IDP) is a powerful collaborative framework that aligns with an institution's culture to cost-effectively achieve any project's desired outcomes. After adopting IDP incrementally since 2003, Princeton University has created a full program, including a roadmap and in-depth training. A well-designed IDP supports participation and buy-in from users and effective collaboration in project teams-that means fewer changes during the construction documents phase and construction, smoother turnover, and better performance. In this session, we'll share our results and challenges and show how you can use an IDP to realize better value and outcomes for your campus project.

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 11, 2021

2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Keynote | Villanova

By: John Cluver, Voith & Mactavish Architects LLP | Robert Morro, Villanova University | Kevin Smith, Robert A.M. Stern Architects | Marilou Smith, Villanova University

Learn about the decade-long collaborative design process for an important new Villanova University campus development along a bustling regional thoroughfare.
Abstract: How did Villanova University and their project partners leverage the collaboration inherent in all capital projects to strengthen the design of an important new campus development along a bustling regional thoroughfare? Through planning, patience, and perseverance during a decade-long process that actively engaged university leadership, community members, and state and municipal authorities. Come learn how the project team turned challenges into opportunities by incorporating different perspectives to develop new and better solutions—especially during the rigorous approvals process—all while retaining a strong sense of character and place in the design response.

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