I am sure that many of you thought I had moved to one of the yet to be named planets. Not so--I just entered the exciting but demanding world of academia. For the last two years, I have had the privilege of being a faculty member in Urban and Environmental Planning, School of Architecture, University of Virginia (UVA). I have taught housing and community development, leadership for change, the capstone course for fourth-year planning majors, and a survey course about communities and regions. This summer I am co-teaching our Sustainability Internship seminar and teaching in Switzerland in partnership with two faculty at Virginia Tech (VT) for a program called, Sustainable Europe. We have 21 students in the course from UVA and VT. THEN I will be finished and headed back to Civic Change, Inc. as president full-time.
When I took this position at UVA, I anticipated lots of time to write this blog and think with you about the issues we care about--building resilient cities and regions, enfranchising disenfranchised communities, saving our world for the next generation and beyond. I have had lots of discussions on those very topics over the last two years but they were almost always with a group of bright and committed students. I must tell you that this teaching experience has been an inspiration.
I will be focussing this year on finishing a book on building more globally competitive cities and regions. This work began several years ago and is coming to a fruition this fall. Further, I have expanded my research on the civic engagement of institutions of higher education based on my experience in a School of Architecture. There are so many ideas to discuss and so many things to do.
So...I'm back and the Smart Communities blog is back. Stay tuned and let me hear from you.
Welcome back! You have been missed, but I glad to hear about your fulfilling ventures. Looking forward to your Smart Communities posts.
Posted by: Sandy | June 26, 2011 at 07:03 AM
Welcome back, Suzanne! We've missed your blogs. Glad the UVA was such a meaningful experience for you. I look forward to reading your next book as well as your posts. The best to you in this transition! Connie Bellows
Posted by: Connie Bellows | June 26, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Glad to see you back! Sorry we didn't know you were on the Grounds. Joanie is on the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association and we've traveled to Charlottesville together for her meetings and reunions the past two years.
Posted by: Chuck Tooley | June 26, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Welcome Back! We look forward to reading your cogent and constructive comments about community life. Pat Heiny & Mary Jo Clark
ps. Richmond's 3rd Grade Academy, begun after your visit here, was an integral part of Richmond's successful 2009 All-America City effort and was recognized this year by the National Civic League as an exemplar for their new focus on reading.
Posted by: Pat Heiny | June 29, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Indeed is such an inspiration, you never know how much you know until you teach, it is just amazing.
Posted by: Noella | August 20, 2011 at 03:09 PM
We look forward to reading your cogent and constructive comments about community life.
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Posted by: Came | December 02, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Thrilled to see "Smart Communities" is being revived. Critical time for your prescient wisdom. Welcome back, your voice has been missed.
Posted by: Sandy | February 09, 2012 at 06:07 AM
Suzanne- Is Smart Communities on Twitter?
Posted by: Sandy | February 09, 2012 at 06:53 AM