Caroline Lavoie Honored With International Teaching Award

Caroline Lavoie, associate professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, is the recipient of the 2019 Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Faculty Award of Excellence in Design Studio Teaching at the Senior Level. The organization includes landscape architecture at colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She was presented with the award at CELA’s 2019 conference in Sacramento, CA. 

The award recognizes a nominee’s ability to direct design studio projects that demonstrate outstanding quality and/or emphasize the critical thinking and creative process. In 2018, Lavoie’s students partnered with the City of Pocatello, Idaho, to re-envision and design the city’s public spaces while considering multiple factors, including environmental impacts, economic growth, transportation, politics, and funding capabilities. The project received top awards from both the American Planning Association’s (APA) Utah Chapter and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Learn more about the project at laep.usu.edu/news/Pocatello.

In 2017, Lavoie’s students received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Utah chapters of APA and ASLA for their work on the Hinckley Ranch-Mountain Ability Center/Conservation Strategy in Ogden Valley. See more at tinyurl.com/HinckleyRanch. 

“The dynamic of a strong community partner, thorough course planning and leadership and our students’ creative force are a proven recipe for success,” said LAEP Department Head, Professor Sean Michael. “Caroline’s studio teaching is an inspiration to her students and her colleagues. She is so very deserving of this honor.”

Lavoie is also an accomplished artist, creating pen and ink drawings, often focused on the lines and vast horizons of the American West.