The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is committed to growing the next generation of design professions with landscape architecture and is pleased to welcome its first formal Committee on K-12 Education and Career Discovery. Within their two-year commitment, the committee will focus on the development, advocacy, and support of ASLA resources that prioritize the voice, presence, and perspective of youth audiences throughout the profession, as well as within ASLA.  

 

Each member of the committee brings deep knowledge and practical expertise in k-12 education, diversity and inclusion practices, innovative engagement strategies, and strategic partner development. The committee consists of award-winning design professionals, executive leaders of non-profit organizations, one head of school, two children’s book authors, multiple curriculum developers, urban design professionals, and college professors. Learn more about each member of the committee below.    

 

Alicia Bartoli-Arnold, ASLA  

Southern California Chapter 

 

Alicia Bartoli-Arnold is a current Landscape Architecture student at UCLA Extension, bringing over two decades of experience in urban public education to her new career path. During her tenure as a classroom teacher, she concurrently served in several key roles, including Academy Co-Director for a California Partnership Academy and developer of Career Technical Education curricula. Alicia also spearheaded a school-wide Arts Integration program, demonstrating her commitment to creative and engaging learning experiences. With her unique blend of multifaceted educational expertise and continued growth in landscape architecture, Alicia is passionate about exploring the intersection of these fields and inspiring the next generation of landscape architects. She is particularly driven by environmental justice in landscape architecture, aiming to create equitable and sustainable outdoor spaces that benefit our communities.    

  

Brooke Freeman, ASLA  

Georgia Chapter  

 

Landscape designer with a particular passion for community, childhood, and health. My combined interests in design and children's places led me to the position Landscape Architect, Project Associate with the nonprofit Out Teach. There, I get to collaborate with K-12 schools, communities, and designers who all share the common belief that quality outdoor education should be accessible, equitable, and relatable. Working directly with school communities, I develop thoughtful, personalized designs featuring an ever-evolving menu of learning tools. I oversee construction administration and volunteer build events where we bring together teams of community members ready to get their hands dirty for their local scholars. I am a graduate of the University of Georgia where I studied landscape architecture, horticulture, and sustainability.    

 

Chloe Gillespie, ASLA  

Potomac Chapter  

 

Chloe Gillepsie, ASLA is a Designer at LandDesign in Alexandria, Virginia. She graduated with her Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University in 2023. Since graduation Chloe has been involved with her local ASLA Chapter (Potomac) and the National ASLA Chapter, through volunteer service from being a Judge for the 2023 Future Cities Competition, to leading a green roof workshop at Georgetown Day School for STEAM Day, to co-chairing the Graphic Communication and Marketing Committee for the National ASLA 2024 Conference, and many more. Chloe loves being involved in her community and mentoring the next generation of designers. She is very excited to be a part of the K-12 Education and Career Discovery Committee and continue serving her community!   

Jyl Glancey, ASLA  

Idaho/Montana  

 

Jyl Glancey, ASLA is a graduate of the University of Idaho, a LEED accredited professional and a licensed landscape architect with over 19 years of experience at The Land Group in Eagle, ID.  Her duties as a landscape architect span all phases and project size from conception to completion.  She is dedicated to integrating landscape architecture into STEM education, working closely with students to foster a deeper understanding of environmental design. Through mentorship and hands-on projects, Jyl hopes to inspire the next generation of landscape architects to appreciate their vital role in our communities.   

 

Yiwei Huang, ASLA  

Indiana Chapter  

 

Yiwei Huang, ASLA is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at Purdue University. With a background in landscape architecture, urban design, and urban geography, she is dedicated to leveraging engaged design and education as transformative tools to enhance the quality of everyday green spaces, particularly for underrepresented populations. Her recent work focuses on children, schoolyard green inequities, and educational landscapes.    

 

Baldev Lamba, ASLA  

Philadelphia Chapter 

 

Baldev Lamba, RLA, ASLA is associate professor and in the Landscape Architecture Program, Temple University, Philadelphia where he teaches capstone, public lands studio, professional practice, and landscape engineering. His research explores the intersection of ecology and aesthetics as a motivator for a holistic approach of serving mankind and nature. He is the co-author of the award-winning book, Green Green, A Community Gardening Story for children, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.    Lamba has more than three decades of experience working as an Architect and Landscape Architect in India, the Middle East and the United States. His award-winning projects include the First Ladies Water Garden on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; the Campus Design Competition in India; Hansell Park in Buckingham, PA; and the Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s Pop-Up Garden in Philadelphia, PA. Lamba’s notable accomplishments also include the Excellence in Research and Creative Work Award from the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture and his acclaimed series of award-winning Pop Up Parks in Philadelphia and Doylestown.     

  

Taylor Metz, PLA, ASLA 

Indiana Chapter 

 

Taylor Metz, PLA, ASLA is a landscape architect and Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at Ball State University. Holding a Master of Landscape Architecture from Ball State and a degree in Communication Studies and Art from Gustavus Adolphus College, Taylor specializes in educational landscapes, schoolyard design, and design thinking. His teaching and research emphasize design pedagogy, advocacy, and innovative, learner-centered educational environments. Committed to advancing the field of landscape architecture, Taylor focuses on creating impactful, inspiring spaces that foster learning, play, and engagement.    

 

Miranda Mote, PhD, FAAR, ASLA  

Pennsylvania Chapter 

 

Miranda Mote, ASLA is an architect, historian, artist, and educator based in Philadelphia. She was the 2023-24 Garden Club of America / Prince Charitable Trusts Rome Prize, Landscape Architecture Fellow. While residing in Rome she exhibited her botanical printmaking at the Academy and at the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome, taught at three Italian elementary schools, developed DIGS, a K-12 environmental literacy curriculum that uses art to teach language and STEM subjects, and designed a teaching game system, HIVE. In 2022, she established Botanography as a 501c3, non-profit to directly serve students and families in Philadelphia County and believes that environmental justice begins with environmental literacy and children.   

 

Jennifer Nitzky, RLA, ASLA, ISA  

New York Chapter 

 

Jennifer Nitzky, ASLA is a Landscape Architect and Certified Arborist with over 20 years of experience in urban design, parks & playgrounds, green roofs and green infrastructure. She is skilled in a community-oriented planning and design process leading workshops and hands-on community activities. Since 2002 she has helped the Trust for Public Land transform asphalt schoolyards into green community playgrounds through student participatory design at over 215 schools. 

 

With a passion for expanding awareness of the profession, Jennifer is a strong advocate for landscape and environmental issues through social media outlets. She has been actively involved in ASLA serving as is a 2-term past president of ASLA-NY and current Trustee. She is Vice President of the Fine Arts Federation of NY, a member of the NYC Pollinator Working Group, and Urban Design Forum Fellow.  

 

Jennifer grew up in Michigan, earned a B.S. Architectural Design at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and Master of Landscape Architecture at Ball State University in Indiana.   

 

Stephanie Onwenu, ASLA  

Michigan Chapter 

 

Stephanie Onwenu, ASLA is a visual artist and landscape designer based in Detroit, MI. She is the creator and founder of Ijeomalandartscapes LLC, a landscape art experience that explores the intersections between art, design, history and culture. As an alumna of Michigan State University, Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Arts in Environmental Design. Her work explores the intersections of human needs and the roles they play in the natural and built environment, while also connecting spaces and places to the people who define it. Stephanie's commitment and drive not only demonstrate her capabilities, but reflect her outspoken personality, which seeks the advancement of others. Inspired by human relationships, interactions, and the influence of social change, Stephanie works with communities to challenge and transform cultural and social institutions. 

  

Stephanie served previously as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Michigan ASLA Chapter, is a co-founding Board Member of the newly established Michigan Chapter ASLA Foundation, and the Emerging Leader on the Michigan State University Landscape Architecture Alumni & Advisory Board.