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From the ASLA Council of Fellows
Council of Fellows Update
June 2026
A new, interactive COF Business Workshop in LA, congratulations to scholarship recipients, and welcome to the 2026 Fellows.
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A Message from Elizabeth Kennedy, FASLA
Dear Fellows,
Thank you for the leadership you bring to ASLA and to the profession—through practice, teaching, public service, advocacy, and mentorship. The Council of Fellows is strongest when we not only recognize excellence, but also apply our collective experience in ways that advance landscape architecture and strengthen ASLA’s impact.
As we look ahead to Los Angeles, we’re making a deliberate shift in how we gather as a Council. This year’s Council of Fellows business meeting will be reimagined as a strategic working session—designed to be more interactive, more forward-looking, and more useful to both Fellows and the Society. I hope you’ll join us prepared to share ideas, listen deeply, and help identify practical, high-impact ways Fellows can contribute in the year ahead.
With appreciation,
Elizabeth Kennedy
Chair, ASLA Council of Fellows
Message from Elizabeth Kennedy, FASLA
Thank you for the leadership you bring to ASLA and to the profession—through practice, teaching, public service, advocacy, and mentorship. The Council of Fellows is strongest when we not only recognize excellence, but also apply our collective experience in ways that advance landscape architecture and strengthen ASLA's impact.
As we look ahead to Los Angeles, we're making a deliberate shift in how we gather as a Council. This year's Council of Fellows business meeting will be reimagined as a strategic working session—designed to be more interactive, more forward-looking, and more useful to both Fellows and the Society. I hope you'll join us prepared to share ideas, listen deeply, and help identify practical, high-impact ways Fellows can contribute in the year ahead.
With appreciation,
Elizabeth Kennedy
Chair, ASLA Council of Fellows
Look Ahead: Council of Fellows Business Workshop (Los Angeles)
We're doing something different this year: the traditional business meeting will become a 75-minute, interactive Business Workshop, scheduled during an education session slot to allow more time for meaningful discussion and outcomes.
Workshop Description
The Council of Fellows Business Workshop at the ASLA Conference in Los Angeles will introduce a new, more dynamic format that transforms the traditional business meeting into an engaging, interactive working session. Designed to better leverage the expertise and leadership of ASLA Fellows, this 75-minute workshop will combine strategic updates, professional insights, and facilitated small-group discussions to focus on how Fellows can most effectively support the Society and the profession.
The session will begin with a brief overview of ASLA's strategic priorities, followed by updates from ASLA leadership on current initiatives in professional practice, advocacy, and member engagement. These perspectives will ground the conversation in the most pressing opportunities and needs across the organization.
Building on this context, participants will take part in charrette-style breakout discussions to explore actionable ways the Council of Fellows can contribute. Topics will include strengthening mentorship and the professional pipeline, supporting advocacy and public outreach efforts, and identifying where Fellows can serve as a strategic resource without duplicating existing programs. Emphasis will be placed on developing ideas that are both high-impact and practical to implement.
This workshop is intended to actively engage members of the Council of Fellows and align their collective expertise with ASLA's strategic plan. By focusing on achievable, meaningful contributions, the session aims to position Fellows as a powerful, coordinated resource to help advance ASLA's goals and objectives. The outcome will be a set of clear, actionable ideas and a shared direction for how the Council can support the Society in the year ahead, while reinforcing the value and leadership role of Fellows within the profession.
Congratulations: COF Student Scholarship Recipients
Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Council of Fellows Student Scholarship recipients:
Gene Sinnung — BSLA Candidate, Rutgers University
A third-year landscape architecture student with interests in forestry and education, and a multidisciplinary research/work background that spans field measurement, archives, and public-facing roles.
Hadasa Villalta — BLA Candidate, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
A fourth-year student focused on the public realm, adaptive reuse, and transforming underutilized sites; active in student organizations and DEI initiatives, with interest in public sector work.
Isaiah Ramsey — BLA Candidate, Michigan State University
Pursuing landscape architecture with interests including sustainable and therapeutic design, ecological restoration, and stormwater management; active in student ASLA leadership and engagement.
Saudiyah Robinson — BSLA Candidate, North Carolina A&T University
A dedicated student motivated by creating spaces that nurture and support others; engaged in extracurriculars and exploring ways to connect creativity, service, and community impact.
Welcome: 2026 Class of ASLA Fellows
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Congratulations to the 2026 Class of ASLA Fellows—elevated in recognition of exceptional contributions to the profession and society.
Join Us at ASLA 2026 in Los Angeles
We hope you'll join colleagues from across the profession at the ASLA 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles. Early Bird registration ends June 15.
Donate to the Fellows Scholarship
The Council of Fellows Scholarship Program helps outstanding landscape architecture students continue their education by addressing unmet financial need and expanding diversity in the profession. With the Council’s $1 million fundraising goal in sight, every contribution matters. Your support directly funds scholarships that open doors for the next generation of landscape architects.