
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Jan. 24, 2006
The University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning announces the appointment of two faculty members to Regents’ Lecturer and Regents’ Professor. Regents professorships and lectureships are two programs funded by the UNM Board of Regents to reward full time faculty members for excellence.
Associate Professor Claudia Isaac, School of Architecture and Planning, has been appointed Regents’ Lecturer. Isaac joined the faculty of the Community and Regional Planning program in 1988 and served as program director from 1997 - 2000. She has also served as a member of the Latin American Studies faculty and director of the Latin American and Iberian Institute.
Isaac holds a doctorate degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles; a master of Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University, and a bachelor’s from Bryn Mawr College.
Isaac’s research grows from her professional practice and citizen participation in community economic development and housing efforts in downtown Albuquerque. She is concerned with the ways that “identity politics” shape contested definitions of progress, as well as differing visions of successful downtown redevelopment. She provides technical assistance to community-based organizations in community development and currently serves as a board member of the Sawmill Community Land Trust, the Supportive Housing Coalition, and the Anti-Predatory Lending Roundtable. Isaac recently served on the executive committee of the Downtown Albuquerque Civic Trust Board.
Professor Anne Taylor, School of Architecture and Planning, has been appointed Regents’ Professor. Taylor earned a doctorate and master’s degree in Art Education from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s in American Studies from Wells College in Aurora, NY. She has been a member of the faculty of the UNM architecture program since 1977.
Taylor founded and directed the Institute for Environmental Education in the school and also served as associate dean of the graduate school and professor of Art Education in the Department of Education.
Her on-going research involves creating learning environments and using architecture to teach an integrated curriculum in the schools. Her most recent book, “The Knowing Eye: Linking Architecture and Education Through Learning Environment Design” (UNM Press, Spring 2008), addresses designing school facilities. In Taylor’s book, she promotes transformation of current learning environments to enhance developmental needs of the body, mind and spirit of students through architectural design elements. The architecture design studio has creative problem solving built into it, making it an effective model.
Taylor was named Distinguished Professor by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects.
Regents’ professors receive an annual award of $8,300 annually for three years, while Regents’ lecturers receive $2,900 for three years. Although the appointment is for three years, the faculty member may retain the title throughout his or her career.
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