ALLISON LUKACSY-LOVE, AIA, AICP |

DIRECTOR

Allison is a licensed architect and certified city planner dedicated to equitable redevelopment of the built environment. Before her appointment with the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, she was the Managing Director of Major Projects at the Greater Cleveland Partnership where she led large-scale, catalytic public realm and economic development efforts across downtown Cleveland and its waterfronts.

Previously, Allison served as the Director of Planning and Development for the City of Euclid, where she stewarded the $30 million Waterfront Improvement Plan, “Euclid Model”, from concept through construction and was responsible for grant writing and administration of over $16m including fundraising of $10m from federal, state, local and philanthropic funds. Her career spans project manager roles in architecture and real estate development firms across Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Shanghai, where she designed and built interactive exhibits on climate change for the 2010 World Expo.

Allison holds advanced degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Cleveland State University and is an advocate for inclusive, community-centered design. She serves on the APA Ohio Board of Trustees, the Assembly for the Arts board, and is Vice President of the Greater Collinwood Development Corporation. She also founded the Cleveland chapter of the Awesome Foundation, which has granted over $60,000 to local projects.

She was named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business “40 Under 40” and a Cleveland Magazine “Most Interesting Person”, Allison is also known for creative public art initiatives like “Phone Gallery”, “Bus Stop Moves”, and “Give Box CLE”. We are thrilled to have Allison join the team and will be holding an introductory event for all soon. 

Phone: 216.357.3426 | Email: alukacsy@kent.edu

CUDC TEAM

 

ELIZABETH ELLIS |

SENIOR URBAN DESIGNER

Elizabeth is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships with neighborhood organizations and partners to produce sustainable designs that lead to implementation. She holds master’s degrees in Architecture and Urban Design through Kent State University. Elizabeth previously served as the Studio Director of the Toledo Design Collective, where she expanded project and program capacity. At the CUDC her interests are within research and design within a context of community trust in NE Ohio.

Phone: 216.357.3438 | Email: eellis10@kent.edu

BEN HERRING |

MOOS COORDINATOR

Clifford Benjamin Herring coordinates the CUDC’s Making Our Own Space (MOOS) program. Ben specializes in new materials and architectures for public good. He has spoken at various universities and conferences on topics ranging from design theory, to distributive justice, the future of public space and digital craft in contemporary design. Ben was administered various honors at Ball State University where he received degrees in Architecture and Economics. He serves on the board of the Refresh Collective (formerly known as the Fresh Camp) and as a board member for the Haitian Vision Foundation. He is Principal of PAADG Studio and has worked with notable design teams including MASS Design Group, Hood Design Studio, Seventh Hill Design, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, Local Projects, Stantec Urban Places, and LAND Studio.

Phone: 216.357.3434 | Email: cherrin7@kent.edu

 

MAÍRA FURTADO FARIA, CAU-BR, GRP |

URBAN DESIGNER

Maíra is a Brazilian-born designer. She holds a master’s degree in Architecture from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from the University Center of Brasília (CEUB). Maíra has experience with a wide range of projects in Brazil, from interior design to urban planning, and has previously worked as an instructor and assistant for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State. Her interests are within the investigation of natural phenomena, regenerative systems, and inclusive design.

Phone: 216.357.3437 | Email: mfaria@kent.edu

DONNA ROOD |

OFFICE MANAGER

After 25 years of service to a liberal arts college, Donna began a second career in higher education at Kent State University, Trumbull Campus in 2015.  She accepted a position at the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative in 2021 and is currently employed as the Office Manager.  

Phone: 216.357.3423 | Email: drood2@kent.edu

 
 
 

SAMIN SHEGEFT | M.LA

STUDENT EMPLOYEE

Student Workers

LINDSAY BUSBY | M.LA

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

 

ZOE RENALDY | M.LA

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

 
 
 
 
 

CHARLES FREDERICK | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

PAUL MOSELY | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

ERIC PEMPUS | ADJUNCT FACULTY

KSU COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN FACULTY

 

STEVE RUGARE | PROFESSOR

TARANEH MESHKANI | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

CHRISTIAN LYNN, PLA, ASLA | ADJUNCT FACULTY

JON YODER, Ph.D. | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

BRENDAN HO | ASSISTANT PROFFESOR

ADIYANA SHARAG-ELDIN, Ph.D. | ADJUNCT FACULTY