Ashley Steffens

Ashley Steffens serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Crowley Professor in Urban Planning and Design at the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design (CED). She holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and has over 20 years of academic experience in teaching, research, and leadership. Her research focuses on sustainable urban design, ecological infrastructure, and technology integration in landscape architecture.

Steffens has held leadership roles including President of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) from 2018–2021, and was a UGA Women’s Leadership Fellow in 2022. She advocates for professional licensure and leadership development in academic programs. Recent projects include a Biodiversity Action Plan for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and a foraging garden design for chimpanzees at Project Chimps.

Her scholarly work bridges design education and professional practice, emphasizing GIS and CAD technologies. She oversees CED’s academic affairs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and student success initiatives.