What was your favorite class? What did you like about it?
It’s hard to choose just one, but three classes stand out: Ecological Design with Chad Manley, the Regional Appalachia Studio with Faye Nixon, and Histories and Theories with Emily Gordon.
In Ecological Design, I was challenged to think across scales, designing systems from the broad ecological level down to the intimate interactions between species. It encouraged me to approach design creatively and to consider how living systems shape and support one another.
The Regional Appalachia Studio deepened my connection to the beauty and complexity of the Appalachian Mountains. Our studio trip exposed me to diverse and often overlooked stories of the region. I valued the community engagement component of the studio, which showed me how grounding design in local context and culture is essential to meaningful, lasting work.
Histories and Theories introduced me to the long, complex history of human impact on landscapes. This class helped me understand how past decisions still shape the world we inhabit today, both the inspiring moments and the difficult legacies of displacement, inequity, and political missteps. I believe grappling with this history is vital to moving the field forward with honesty and care.
2. Do you have a professor who has really inspired or challenged you? What did you learn from them?
Faye Nixon has been an incredible source of inspiration during my time at UTK. Beyond her impressive design and software skills, she has encouraged me to explore how my own interests can shape my work in landscape architecture. Through her guidance, I’ve discovered the depth of research and opportunity within this field. Her passion for landscape architecture is truly contagious, and her support has been pivotal in my growth as a designer.
3. What was your undergraduate degree and how did it influence your decision to pursue a MLA?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Geology with a minor in Plant Sciences – Sustainable Landscape Design at UTK. It was during this time that I first discovered the field of landscape architecture. The opportunity to blend design, the natural sciences, and community engagement was deeply appealing to me and ultimately inspired my decision to pursue an MLA.
4. What is one of your favorite aspects of the school or the MLA degree track?
One of my favorite aspects of the MLA program at UTK is the diverse group of professors who each bring their own perspectives, expertise, and experiences to the school. The program also emphasizes a systems-thinking approach to large-scale challenges, which pushes us to think critically and deeply about the issues we study and design for.
5. What will you miss about Knoxville?
I’ll miss Knoxville’s vibrant local maker scene. There are so many talented artists and craftspeople here, and I’ve loved getting to take workshops and learn from them. I’ll also miss the pop-up markets around town and the lively festivals at World’s Fair Park that bring the community together.
6. What activities do you pursue outside the school?
I like to go to concerts and hike.
7. What has been your most unique experience in the program?
Getting bit by a squirrel while exploring Minneapolis with all my luggage because I missed an email and ended up having to fly to the ASLA conference alone.
9. Are you a part of any student groups or organizations?
I’ve been a member of the student chapter of ASLA here at UTK, serving as treasurer during my second year and as president this year.
10. Why did you choose the School of Landscape Architecture at UTK?
I was drawn to the School of Landscape Architecture at UTK because of its faculty’s diverse skill sets and the program’s strong emphasis on systems thinking. I knew this approach would challenge me to see the bigger picture while developing the tools to create meaningful, impactful designs.
11. What are you currently working on in studio?
I am currently in Andrew Madl’s studio. I am doing a group project with Matthew Harley, and we are studying Bikini Atoll, home of the infamous Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob.
12. Did you have an internship or externship experience? What did you learn from it?
I’ve had the opportunity to complete an internship, an externship, and a fellowship during my time in the MLA program.
My internship was with Equinox in Asheville, North Carolina, which I connected with through a design charette. It was my first experience working in a landscape architecture firm, and the team there were incredible mentors. I learned a great deal about construction details, grading, and how design ideas translate into built work.
I then completed an externship with Site Design Group in Chicago, Illinois. Though shorter, this experience allowed me to work with each sector of the firm and explore different areas of practice, helping me refine my own interests. It also gave me a glimpse of what it’s like to live and work in Chicago beyond just visiting as a tourist.
Most recently, I completed a fellowship with the Garden Club of Virginia, mentored by the cultural landscapes team at Nelson Byrd Woltz. This experience focused on cultural and historical landscapes, and I had the opportunity to research and publish a report on the historic landscape typology of falling gardens in the Chesapeake region. It strengthened both my research and design skills and introduced me to an entirely new facet of the field. I also met so many inspiring people through this fellowship. I truly don’t think I would have pursued it without the spark that came from Emily Gordon’s Histories and Theories class, which first opened my eyes to the stories embedded in historic landscapes.
13. What’s the most significant assignment/project you have worked on, and why is it the most significant?
One of the most significant projects I’ve worked on was building a floating wetland in the Green Infrastructure elective. It stands out to me because it was a built project that had a tangible, positive impact on Third Creek, a local waterway that runs through campus. I also had an incredible team, and the experience taught me a great deal about the feasibility and challenges of building with real materials. Serving as the project lead gave me valuable experience in coordinating tasks, problem-solving on-site, and seeing designs from concept to construction.
14. What do you like the most about the University of Tennessee, Knoxville?
I love how big UTK is, there’s a group or community for just about anything if you look for it. The university is full of passionate, talented people, and so many of them lead with genuine heart. It creates an environment that feels both inspiring and supportive.
General Questions
15. Do you have any pets?
I am the godmother of a beautiful and perfect cat, Ms. Fireball.
16. Do you have any mentors in your professional life?
Not really
18. What is one food you cannot resist?
Pho, yummm
21. How has your perception of landscape architecture changed over time?
My understanding of landscape architecture has grown tremendously. Over time, I’ve come to see just how many diverse paths this field offers and how versatile the skills and knowledge gained through this program can be.
22. Tell us about a project that challenged you, and what you learned from the experience.
Honestly, my final project from my first semester was the most challenging. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me not to doubt myself. I also learned how important it is to work efficiently and trust my process, even when things feel overwhelming.
24. What is the last book you read?
Hil Women by Cassie Chambers
25. Where do you get the most inspiration for your work/projects?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my personal interests and lived experiences. The readings assigned throughout the program have also broadened my perspective and often spark new ways of thinking about and approaching my projects.
27. What is your favorite graduate school experience?
I really enjoyed the many studio trips that we have taken.
28. What’s your favorite place and why?
Chicago. It’s where my sister lives, and I’m completely obsessed with it. The food is incredible, the architecture is stunning, and the city is full of diverse, interesting people. I love the Midwest attitude, and I think Chicago truly has something for everyone. I especially love seeing Lake Michigan frozen over in the winter. I hate sweating.
29. What’s your favorite built landscape?
The CTA’s beautiful expansive transportation system, if this counts
30. How do you learn best?
I learn best through hands-on experience. Sometimes you have to make a lot of mistakes before you get something right, and I’ve found that process helps the lessons really stick.
31. Do you have any cool tips or tricks for software you use?
I keep a dedicated folder on my computer with all the useful Grasshopper scripts I’ve collected throughout school, and it’s been incredibly helpful to have them all in one place. It’s not necessarily a cool trick at all, but it definitely saves time and keeps my workflow organized.
33. What’s the coolest place you’ve traveled to?
Maybe Big Sur?