Peter Redditt Summerlin

Peter Redditt Summerlin serves as Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Landscape Architecture within Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, driving innovation in digital landscape architecture and community-focused design research.

His academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from Mississippi State University and a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Louisiana State University/A&M.

Professor Summerlin's research pioneers the integration of emerging technologies like UAVs, VR, and 3D concrete printing into design workflows, supported by national surveys conducted with CELA and ASLA. Concurrently, his CDC-funded work critically examines rural park systems in the Southern U.S., analyzing health and accessibility disparities compared to urban counterparts. His scholarship bridges technical innovation with social equity, emphasizing real-world applications in underserved communities.

Recent publications reveal dual research trajectories: digital transformation in landscape architecture education (software integration, VR pedagogy) and community health through design (food security, tiger habitat preservation, rural park equity). This synergy positions technology as a tool for both professional advancement and social justice.

His exceptional contributions have garnered extensive recognition including five Faculty Member of the Year awards, multiple MSASLA and ASLA design honors, community-engaged research awards from MSU, and teaching excellence accolades. Notable distinctions include:

• Faculty Member of the Year (5 instances)
• MSASLA Award of Honor: Analysis and Planning & General Design (4 total)
• ASLA Award of Honor: Communications & Excellence: Student Collaboration
• Keep America Beautiful Innovation Award & ACSA Collaborative Practice Award
• MSU Community-Engaged Research Awards ("AIM for CHangE", "LivingRoom")
• College of Agriculture Teaching Excellence Awards (Teacher of the Year, Lower Division)

As Graduate Coordinator and faculty advisor, Summerlin has mentored award-winning student projects across Mississippi and Tennessee, including "Belzoni Community Garden", "Sunflower Park", and "Harrison Creek Restoration". His CDC-funded rural park research exemplifies grant-supported community impact, while design/build initiatives like "Return to Nature" demonstrate experiential learning excellence. Collaborations with ASLA, CELA, and community organizations underscore his commitment to translating academic work into tangible public benefit.

Though specific lab facilities aren't detailed, his research leverages UAVs, VR systems, and field-based community partnerships. Current initiatives focus on digital fabrication (3D concrete printing) and equitable park access, with future work likely expanding technology applications in rural community resilience and landscape pedagogy.