51ÁÔĆć

Street Smart: Measuring the Impact of Complete Streets

Two people in the foreground overlaid on a city street scene with bike lanes, planters, bollards, and buildings lining a redesigned urban roadway.

The Innovative Cities Lecture Series

Presentation by Mike Amsden, City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works Multimodal Transportation Manager, and James Hannig, Community Planning Manager with Michael Baker International.

Lecture Summary

Both Milwaukee and Detroit have enacted Complete Streets policies and subsequently made significant investments in their street infrastructure. Through both rapid implementation efforts and large capital projects, streets in both cities have been transformed by reconfiguring lanes, installing separated bike lanes, street calming, and more. In this lecture, Mike Amsden and James Hannig will discuss the results and impact of those changes, highlighting successful projects and lessons learned. See the transformations and learn which projects are having the most significant impact and what policies and standards could work in your community.

Biographies

James Hannig is the Community Planning Manager with Michael Baker International, where he works with communities to realize safe, people-focused Complete Streets and public spaces. James previously served as the Deputy Director for Complete Streets with the City of Detroit, where he was responsible for implementing Detroit’s Streets for People vision. James earned a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University.

Mike Amsden is the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works’ Multimodal Transportation Manager, where he oversees transportation planning, policy, and street design initiatives that help achieve the City’s goals around eliminating reckless driving and creating safe and enjoyable places for people to walk, bike, take transit, and drive. Mike previously worked as the Assistant Director of Transportation Planning for the City of Chicago Department of Transportation. He earned a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

AICP-CM credits will be awarded.
Apr 30 Impact of Complete Streets: AICP CM 

Historic Preservation Institute documents Gesu Church restoration

Gesu Church

OnMilwaukee’s Urban Spelunking feature explores the major $10 million restoration underway at Gesu Church, designed by Henry C. Koch in 1894. 51ÁÔĆć SARUP’s Historic Preservation Institute, led by Matt Jarosz, accompanied students for on-site tours to observe the first significant renovations since the 1960s. The story underscores HPI’s role in blending learning with preservation advocacy.

Read the full story on .

Renewable Energy and Clean Transportation for Sustainable Cities

Headshots of Ben Behlke and Jodi Amble overlayed on a photo of solar panels in a field.

The Innovative Cities Lecture Series

“Renewable Energy and Clean Transportation for Sustainable Cities” presentation by Jodi Amble, Deputy Director of RENEW Wisconsin, and Ben Behlke, Clean Energy Manager for RENEW Wisconsin.

Lecture Summary

Renew Wisconsin has been advocating for clean energy solutions, working with policymakers, and educating the public since 1991. Renewable projects are happening around the state, from urban to rural infrastructure. Learn about the benefits, ongoing initiatives, and how your community can plan and apply for funding to keep energy dollars in your community while supporting local jobs.

Biographies

Jodi Amble is the Deputy Director of RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization promoting renewable energy in Wisconsin. With a focus on clean energy solutions, she has been instrumental in cultivating strategic partnerships and advocating for sustainable policy initiatives that benefit communities and the environment. Jodi is also a singer/songwriter with the Jodi Jean Band and Jenny Dragon. Jodi earned a Master’s in Applied Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Viterbo University.

Ben Behlke is the Clean Energy Manager for RENEW Wisconsin. With a focus on pioneering clean energy solutions, Ben leads the charge in shaping and implementing policies and programs centered around electric transportation and building electrification. Prior to his work at RENEW, he worked with the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum as the Wisconsin Field Director, where he guided guiding rural communities through large-scale renewable energy developments and transmission work. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Renewable Energy and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

AICP-CM credits will be awarded. Mar 26 Planning for Renewable Energy: AICP CM 

Carolyn Esswein looks back at ten years of progress in the Milwaukee Harbor District

Carolyn Esswein and a student interact while looking at urban planning documents.

About a decade ago, the Milwaukee Harbor District set out to transform an underutilized waterfront into a vibrant space for jobs, housing, and public access. Today, that vision is being actively implemented, shaped by years of collaboration and thoughtful planning.

Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Urban Planning, Carolyn Esswein, was there from the start, serving on the district’s board for seven years—two as president—and leading the development of visual renderings that helped bring the vision to life.

As the district reaches its 10-year milestone, Esswein reflects on its early days, the progress that has been made, and what she sees as opportunities ahead.

A rendering of a city street with the public engaged in walking and biking activities.

Looking back, what inspired the original vision for the Milwaukee Harbor District, and what were the key goals in the early planning stages?

Connecting people to the waterfront and enhancing the natural environment were key factors in early planning. How can you do this while bringing in new housing and jobs, the key was to engage the community and be bold while respecting the working waterfront.

Your role at SARUP helped shape the district through visual renderings that illustrated the vision’s potential. How important was that in gaining support for the project?

It was difficult for people to imagine something beyond the coal piles and large warehousing buildings. Harbor District, Inc. used our renderings to illustrate how the area could become a vibrant space, connecting people to the waterfront, and integrating new development with existing infrastructure to create opportunities for people to live, work and explore the inner harbor.

A rendering of the harbor district from an aerial perspective.

Public access to the waterfront was a key priority—how do you feel the district has succeeded in this area?

Harbor View Plaza has been a great success as a place for people of all ages to view the large ships, learn about Great Lakes habitat, and play within water structures. The summer events bring people to the area to learn about everything from sturgeons to kayaking to cultural stories of Milwaukee, showcasing many of our local organizations.

What impact has the district had on jobs and housing in Milwaukee, and what do you see as the next big opportunity?

The planning vision has spurred both new housing and jobs to the Harbor District. The area is home to numerous start-ups and small businesses, Komatsu’s relocated headquarters, and Michels Corporation’s Milwaukee office and riverfront housing. The economic impact is expected to exceed $800 million. Future plans include more housing along Greenfield Avenue, an enhanced boat launch, and the potential for a continuous riverwalk connecting to downtown.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of the Milwaukee Harbor District?

I’m excited for the extended riverwalk, planned to start construction in summer 2025. Part of our early planning vision, the connection along the Komatsu site will offer new opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the water and view the amazing working waterfront that supports Wisconsin and the Midwest.

Architecture faculty recognized with ACSA New Faculty Teaching Awards

Headshots of Sam Schuermann and Adam Thibodeux

Two SARUP faculty members have been recognized with the 2025 Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) New Faculty Teaching Award. The award acknowledges demonstrated excellence and innovation in teaching during the formative years of an architectural teaching career. This year, Assistant Professors Samantha Schuermann and Adam Thibodeaux are among the four winners of the national award.

Their achievements follow in the footsteps of fellow SARUP faculty members Lindsey Krug and Nikole Bouchard, who have also received ACSA teaching awards in recent years, reinforcing the school’s reputation for excellence in both teaching and research.

Samantha Schuermann: Elevating Student Collaboration in Research

Assistant Professor Samantha Schuermann emphasizes the importance of collaboration among faculty and students in shaping meaningful research and learning experiences.

“Particularly in conjunction with Adam also receiving the award, to me, this indicates that 51ÁÔĆć SARUP is doing some exciting things both in research and teaching,” Schuermann said. “I think this award is further evidence that constant collaboration with students is essential and necessary to produce compelling research and projects.”

Schuermann’s interdisciplinary work explores the architectural implications of domestic labor and material culture. She has involved students in research projects, leading to national conference presentations, co-authored publications, and exhibition opportunities.

“Because of this award, we will give presentations at the ACSA Annual Conference in May, so that also means that our SARUP students will be cited for their work. They now have some publications that they are co-authors and co-researchers on, and that’s great,” she added.

Schuermann also highlighted the strong support for research at 51ÁÔĆć, noting that collaborations with students inspire her to continue seeking funding for student researchers through initiatives like the Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program.

“I’ve had SURF students every semester I’ve been at 51ÁÔĆć, which has been incredible for outcomes like publishing papers and doing exhibitions. I also have two students now who have had their own abstract accepted for a national conference on undergraduate research related to things that we have been working on together.”

Adam Thibodeaux: Integrating Identity and Architecture in the Studio

Assistant Professor Adam Thibodeaux focuses his teaching and research on reclaiming and preserving the architectural histories of marginalized communities. For him, receiving the ACSA New Faculty Teaching Award is a testament to the collaborative energy within the school.

“It’s an exciting moment because it feels like there’s a lot of new fresh ideas coming into the school and a lot of energy around what feels like similar approaches to teaching,” Thibodeaux said. “It’s motivating to not just engage our own individual research practices but also situate them in context with each other, but most importantly, supported by student researchers. It creates a network that feels charged in a good way.”

Thibodeaux’s work often challenges traditional architectural discourse by incorporating themes of embodied difference and identity into the studio setting. He acknowledges the challenges of advocating for these perspectives in design education but sees them as opportunities for impactful change.

“One challenge is advocating for different perspectives in design studio settings, particularly dealing with issues of embodied difference and marginalized identity. These topics often manifest outside the studio curriculum, but it’s been a goal of mine to integrate them into the core design curriculum,” Thibodeaux said.

“There is a lot of desire among architecture students to see how their own identities impact their work as architects, and I think enabling them to do that has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my teaching.”

He also emphasized the importance of providing students with research opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, allowing them to take ownership of their work.

“A big part of what I can do as new faculty is to leverage my own research practice as a platform for students to develop their work outside of the classroom. We have amazing undergraduate research funding, and it’s critical to bring students along—not just to give them access to resources but to empower them to take ownership of their own research,” Thibodeaux said.

“Like Sam, I’ve been incredibly appreciative of SURF funding to support paid student researchers in expanding upon threads of faculty research through focused, independent research projects where they can leverage our presence as collaborators rather than as instructors.”

A Culture of Excellence at SARUP

The recognition of Schuermann and Thibodeaux reflects SARUP’s broader commitment to advancing architectural education through engaged research, innovative pedagogy, and meaningful student-faculty collaboration. Their contributions continue to shape the academic experience at 51ÁÔĆć and prepare students to critically engage with the built environment in transformative ways.

“Two of the four recipients of this national award are from SARUP, and I am incredibly proud of that,” said Kyle Reynolds, Acting Head of School. “But above all, I am proud of Sam and Adam. This is well-deserved recognition, and I look forward to seeing their continued impact on architecture students year after year.”

Jurors for the AIAS/ACSA New Faculty Teaching Award included Christian Brack, Oklahoma State University; Joshua Foster, East Los Angeles College; Gilberto Lozada Báez, American Institute of Architecture Students; and June Williamson, City College of New York.

The winners will be celebrated at the ACSA 113th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, in March.

Architecture professor discusses impacts of anti-trans legislation in The Architect’s Newspaper

Small urban park enclosed by a wrought‑iron fence lined with rainbow flags, surrounded by trees, brick buildings, and a brick-paved sidewalk.

In a story by Daniel Jones Roche for The Architect’s Newspaper, 51ÁÔĆć assistant professor Adrienne Economos Miller adds her perspective to the growing conversation about how anti-trans legislation is affecting the architecture field. Miller, whose research focuses on queer and trans theory, labor history, and socio-cultural practices, discusses the consequences of recent federal rollbacks to protections for trans individuals in housing and public spaces.

“This return to the pre-Obama era will cause direct harm,” she says, “particularly to trans women, but also trans people in general that are forced into sex-segregated spaces that don’t match with their actual sex.” Miller’s contribution reflects her broader commitment to centering queer and trans perspectives in architectural history and practice.

Read the full story on .

Community Engaged Art

Headshots of Nathan Mattimoe and Deshea Agee overlayed on a colorful painting of people dancing and playing music.

“Community Engaged Art” presentation by Deshea Agee, Vice President of Emem Group, and Nathan Mattimoe, Art in Public Places Director for The Arts Commission in Toledo, OH.

Lecture Summary

Learn how the leaders in Toledo, Ohio, and the Bronzeville District in Milwaukee are engaging local artists and community members to make and install art in the public realm. Through a percent for art program, the Art Commission in Toledo has led the implementation of over 100 public art pieces. The Bronzeville Center for the Arts has engaged youth and local residents to create and install various public art elements as part of their new building within the Bronzeville District. Join us to learn about implementing public art and successful strategies for community engagement.

Biographies

Deshea Agee is the Vice President of Emem Group, where he focuses on project and developer management of the firm’s commercial projects. Deshea was previously the Executive Director of the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District. His expertise includes real estate and economic development, public process design, community outreach and program formulation. Deshea serves on the City of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Advisory Committee, as well as on the Board of Directors of Employ Milwaukee and Safe and Sound. Deshea earned a Master of Science in Construction Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University.

Nathan Mattimoe is the Art in Public Places Director for The Arts Commission in Toledo, OH, where he has worked as a project manager for nine years. In his role, he administers the City of Toledo’s One Percent for Art ordinance through The Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places program. This includes managing new public art projects and overseeing the maintenance and conservation of the City’s more than 100 public art pieces, with additional focus on public art education and community outreach. Nathan also serves as a board member for the Toledo Design Center. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sculpture from the University of Toledo.

AICP-CM credits will be awarded. Feb 26 Community Engaged Art: AICP CM 

An early look at the Marcus Prize Studio with winning architect Tiantian Xu

An aerial view of the site.

The Spring 2025 Marcus Prize Studio is set to engage students in a bold and timely design challenge under the leadership of Marcus Prize-winning architect Tiantian Xu and Assistant Professor Sam Schuermann. Xu, the founding principal of DnA _Design and Architecture, is known for her innovative, place-sensitive design strategies that revitalize communities. This semester, SARUP leverages her expertise to reimagine the Hattie Street Dam on the Menominee River, a site rich with industrial history and ecological potential.

A Studio Rooted in Infrastructure, Ecology, and Community

The Marcus Prize Studio immerses students in an exploration of adaptive reuse strategies of historic architecture, water infrastructure, and its ability to engage the public. The Hattie Street Dam, which connects Menominee, Michigan, and Marinette, Wisconsin, presents a compelling case study. Originally constructed to support industrial activity, the dam and adjacent structures are in good condition and invite a unique opportunity for reimagining their role in the community.

Through site visits, research, and iterative design processes, students will analyze how the dam and its surroundings might be transformed into a multi-functional space that integrate community engagement, education, and sustainable production.

The studio will unfold in three phases: research & analysis, social strategy development, and design interventions. The course will conclude with an exhibition showcasing the design strategies and their potential impact on the Menominee community and beyond.

Learning from a Visionary Architect

Tiantian Xu’s holistic approach to design emphasizes the careful integration of new interventions within existing landscapes. Her firm’s architectural projects have engaged in the economic revitalizing process in China, using a holistic approach described as “architectural acupuncture.”

Assistant Professor Sam Schuermann, who is co-teaching the studio, views the Marcus Prize Studio and Xu’s leadership as an opportunity for students to engage deeply with pressing environmental issues with a visionary architect.

“Tiantian’s work investigates large scale infrastructure and its relationship to local ecologies and communities, so we were interested in bringing this architectural approach to the region,” said Schuermann. “A dam seemed like an appropriate site to engage water, industry, and infrastructure in Wisconsin, and this one checked all the boxes.”

As the semester progresses, Xu joins students through both virtual and in-person reviews. During Xu’s visit to Wisconsin in late March, she will also present the Marcus Prize Lecture highlighting selected projects from her research and practice.

Learn more about the Marcus Prize.

Andrew Tillman will leverage AIAS Board of Directors role to continue his advocacy for architecture students

Andrew Tillman in the School of Architecture & Urban Planning building.

Andrew Tillman, a fifth-year student in the BArch program, was recently elected to the 69th AIAS Board of Directors in the role of Secretary/Treasurer.

The position plays a vital internal role, overseeing the AIAS operational budget with the Executive Director, recording Board meeting minutes, chairing the Finance Committee, and maintaining the AIAS Board of Directors Drive. The Secretary / Treasurer also works with each AIAS chapter to help connect them with resources and support.

As a full voting member of the board, Tillman is most looking forward to representing architecture students’ voices across the globe.

“I wanted to run to have the opportunity to push the voices of students. I think it’s important for students to push design and to voice their opinions,” Tillman said.

Advocating for students has been a through line in Tillman’s college career, embodied in a variety of leadership roles with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Tillman served as SARUP’s 2023 AIAS chapter president, followed by his current one-year term as Midwest Quadrant Director for 2024. In that role, Tillman helps roughly 50 Midwest chapters connect with resources available through the organization.

“At SARUP, we have a very good connection with AIA in Wisconsin, and that allows us to access sponsorships through firms and other professional networking opportunities,” Tillman said. “When I got in the Midwest Quad director role, I found that a lot of chapters don’t have strong connection, or they don’t know who’s leading their AIA component.”

Tillman has worked hard to connect chapters so students can benefit fully from the organization. He hopes to do the same on a much larger scale with his new role, with 250 chapters within his reach.

“I think that’s really valuable to have a connection to the profession, as well as having students relate to professionals to help get jobs. You can be a great student, but I think really getting out there and meeting with professionals is what helps you flourish as a student. Knowing what careers are out there is important.”

Tillman knows firsthand how influential connections can be for young people. His introduction to the architecture field started as a high school student in Woodstock, Illinois, when he took a civil engineering and architecture course. While designing a library and house, he recognized he has a real passion for design. His teacher noticed, too. He encouraged him to continue with another second class, even giving him a special design project assignment to complete.

“That’s when I really knew I wanted to do this,” he recalled. “So, I applied to 51ÁÔĆć. It’s the only school I applied to.”

Advocating for students isn’t likely to end when Tillman graduates. As an intern at Zimmerman Architecture Students, Tilllman has been working on designing schools for K12 and higher education, along with places of worship. Recently, he accepted a full-time job at the firm.

His first day is the day after graduation.

Ali Kopyt honored with Impact Award by 51ÁÔĆć Alumni Association

Ali Kopyt holds a plaque commemorating her award alongside 51ÁÔĆć officals.

Ali Kopyt ’08 (MArch, MUP) was recently awarded the 2025 Impact Award by the 51ÁÔĆć Alumni Association. Kopyt is a rising star architect with a passion for historic preservation, adaptive reuse and affordable housing.

Prior to joining KORB, she worked for Kahler Slater and Quorum Architects. Kopyt also has experience with firms in Seattle and the Boston area. She is the co-founder of Women in Design-Milwaukee (WIDMKE), where she plans monthly programming, leads their annual Canstruction event, and coordinates their Advancing into Firm Leadership seminar. WIDMKE received a Diversity Best Practices Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2019.

Kopyt is a founding partner in Mobile Design Box, a community outreach initiative between the city of Milwaukee and 51ÁÔĆć’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Kopyt received AIA Wisconsin’s Young Architect Award in 2021 and was among 50 young leaders selected to participate in Next City’s 2017 Vanguard Conference at their first international gathering in Newcastle, Australia. She serves on the Parent Board of Directors at her daughter’s school and spearheaded the campaign to get the Milwaukee Soldiers Home listed as one of the National Trust for Historic Places 11 Most Endangered when she served on the board of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Northeastern University in Boston and completed coursework in historic preservation at the University of Washington in Seattle and with the University of Oregon in Italy.

“The 51ÁÔĆć Alumni Association is privileged to represent over 207,000 Panther alumni living in 110 countries around the world,” said Board Chair Michelle Putz in the 51ÁÔĆć Alumni Awards Evening program booklet. “Our alumni make a difference in their communities both near and far, though we feel especially fortunate that more than 80% of graduates from the last decade have chosen to remain in the state of Wisconsin.”

Kopyt was honored alongside other award recipients at the 51ÁÔĆć Alumni Awards Evening at the Pfister Hotel in February 2025. Learn more about the 51ÁÔĆć Alumni Awards on the .