Environmental Design

Fear

Regan Widergren — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:19:07 +0000

Fear Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 18:19

“Have no fear of perfection-you'll never reach it.”

– Salvador Dali

Fear is many things--a manifestation of anxieties and social pressures, a desire to avoid discomfort, an evolutionary predisposition to protect the reptilian self—and its stigma, the sometimes-delimiting factor to its efficacy. Candidly, fear is simply information, albeit information meant to drive our decision-making to achieve an almost always singular outcome: safety.

So how can we reengineer this discomfort as a powerful ally? You might start by interrogating your fears: What am I afraid of? What is the worst thing that can happen? What is the cost of the status quo? What do I miss out by avoiding this decision? How do I know if my fears are real or imagined? How are my fears holding me back? How will taking action impact me? Who do I need to be to own my fears?

As you consider these questions, spend some time reviewing the linked resources below. You might find tools/thought exercises/questions that help you reframe fear as information, opportunity, and ally.

TED | Tim Ferriss: Why you should define your fears instead of your goals

BetterHelp: Using Fear as a Motivator

The Washington Post: Fear and anxiety can help. Here’s how to use them to your advantage

Adventure Collection: 10 Reasons Why a Dose of Fear is Good for You

LinkedIn | Sonia McDonald: Fear To Courage: How To Use The Emotion Wheel To Transform Your Feelings

Psychology Today: Fear Is a Tool of the Trade: Here's How to Use It

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Endings

Regan Widergren — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:15:15 +0000

Endings Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 18:15

“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.”

― Paulo Coelo

The cyclicality of process and its perpetual reification of the start-iterate-finish paradigm grinds at the two-pronged directive of modern, capitalist living—work hard, get rewarded. However, we know the cycle as we envision it—a pristine linearized radius that mythicizes the inevitability of progress feeding progress—versus the cycle as we experience it, something more akin to this:

Or this...

Or even this...

Given the cultural disconnect between ideal and reality, it becomes important to manage one's own energetic engagement with process and the idea of ending. You might start by interrogating your relationship with these concepts: How would beginning with an end in mind help you? What obstacles could get in the way? What helps you decide to start ending? What do you intentionally do to end well? How do you know that you’ve learned what you needed to learn? How do outcomes/products benefit you? Who do you need to be to end something? What will you do to celebrate ending?

“The end of a melody is not its goal: but nonetheless, had the melody not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either. A parable.”

― Nietzche

As you explore your approach to ending and build a toolkit that supports that outcome energetically, consider what it might take to find, as Neil Gaiman says, “somewhere to rest, to stop reading, and to be content,” and take some time to explore the tools below to challenge and build your relationship with your reason for getting things done.

UFYB: How to Get Sh*t Done

I have ADHD: Podcast Episode #84: When You Get Nothing Done

The Marginalian | Probable Impossibilities: Physicist Alan Lightman on Beginnings, Endings, and What Makes Life Worth Living

Life Hack: 10 Essential Tips to Finish What You Start

Zen Habits: How to Finish

Personal Excellence:How to Finish What You Start

Scott H. Young: How to Build the Habit of Finishing What You Start

Lifehacker: How Do You Know When You're Finished?

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2023 ENVD Alumni Recognition Events

Regan Widergren — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:07:30 +0000

2023 ENVD Alumni Recognition Events Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 18:07

The Program in Environmental Design (ENVD) is proud to celebrate its design community by recognizing individuals who have demonstrated leadership and made significant contributions to the design and architectural professions and their communities.

This fall, ENVD honored Nancy Blackwood with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and Thomas Hoffmann with the Young Designer Award. Learn more about the recipients here. ENVD hosted events to recognize each recipient's professional career and personal achievements during the Wednesday of CU’s 2023 Homecoming Week.

The recognition kicked off as Blackwood received a tour of the ENVD building from sustainable planning and urban design senior Lydia Mercante, and thereafter presented to a group of students in their urban planning studio. Blackwood described the highlights of her career to aspiring planners and offered insights into the nature of the profession. With ENVD134 filled with alumni, faculty, staff, students, and members of the Boulder professional design community, the evening kicked off with an hors d'oeuvres reception followed by the awards presentations.

ENVD Assistant Director for Advising and Professional Development Nate Jones opened the recognition event and introduced Blackwood and Hoffmann. Teaching Associate Professor Jeremy Ehly then presented the Young Designer Award to Hoffmann, recounting his experience as Hoffman’s capstone instructor. ENVD Director Stacey Schulte then took to the podium to present the Distinguished Alumni Award to Blackwood. ENVD will celebrate the 50-year anniversary of its first graduating class in 2024, of which Blackwood was a graduate. Schulte recognized Blackwood’s membership in the first cohort of ENVD graduates and referenced her influential career and countless contributions to the program.

After the awards portion of the event, Hoffmann spoke to the audience about his time as an ENVD student, his early design career, and the experience of starting his own company Campworks. He emphasized his journey from student to young entrepreneur and how his innovative camper is impacting the existing market. Blackwood spoke to the audience about her time as an ENVD student back in the 70’s and presented work from her exemplary career. She chronicled the many urban planning projects that she has worked on throughout the Front Range and around the world (including projects in Africa). Blackwood’s presentation illustrated a veritable tour de force of impactful urban planning in Colorado.

Concerning ENVD’s forthcoming anniversary, ENVD Teaching Professor Jade Polizzi concluded the ceremony by introducing her efforts to chronicle the program’s history. She implored the various alumni members in attendance to support the project with anecdotes and other information highlighting their ENVD student experiences.

The alumni recognition continued into the night with a dinner at Café Aion on University Hill. During the dinner, Schulte discussed the creation of an ENVD Alumni Advisory Board and asked the alumni members in attendance to consider participating.

It was a wonderful night of recognition and reconnection as the ENVD community celebrated its legacy and looked forward to the exciting changes yet to come.

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Transitions

Regan Widergren — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:03:22 +0000

Transitions Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 18:03

“You begin with the possibilities of the material.”

― Robert Rauschenberg

We’ve rounded the corner to another new year and should be reminded that time is possibility and that the cyclicality of beginning and ending is deeply attached to perception and cultural norms. All of these tools give us space to build our own approach to that which is new, taking into account what has passed, what might come, and what our observations, perceptions, and expectations tell us. So how do we harness the idea of transition as a framework? Start by asking yourself: What has changed? How do I want to grow? If money, location and training were no object, what would I do? And why? What do I want to leave behind? What stories do I need to let go of to move forward? What do my current conditions support? What do I need to bring with me (i.e., experience, strengths, wisdom) to create my future? What's one change I could make that would give me more calm? How does this change align with my values? When I successfully navigate this change, how will my life be different? What would my future self say to encourage me? Who can support me? Who are my allies?

As you reflect on these questions, embrace your resilience, curiosity, and creativity. They have prepared you to own your growth. Take some time to explore the tools below to fortify your transition strategy and practice greater intentionality during periods of change.

UFYB | UFYB 22: INSIGHT VS. TRANSFORMATION

I Have ADHD | Creating a (Doable) Vision for 2024

I Have ADHD | The ADHDers Guide to Being Proactive (Even With a Reactive Brain)

I Have ADHD | How to Build Self-Trust Even with ADHD

Victoria Albina | Ep #200: How To Trust And Reclaim Your Intuition

Pinnacle 7 | 8 Questions to Help You Move Forward in any Transition

Your Time to Grow | 10 Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself When Facing Change

Be Well Life Coaching | In the Midst of a Transition? 5 Questions That Will Help

In sharing my enthusiasm for the immense potential transitions carry, I must also acknowledge my own bittersweet departure from ENVD. My time here has been incredibly rewarding, especially in collaborating with such talented design students and working alongside a team that's nothing short of inspiring. As I have grown alongside you, I have been inspired to choose a path of possibility that now leads beyond ENVD. I thank you all for giving me this gift and am encouraged for the path(s) that lie ahead. Since this is my last chance to address you all from OYS, I encourage you to continue to own your work, your intentions, and your futures. Each of you holds the strength and creativity to surmount any challenge. Trust yourselves as you forge ahead and take heart in the wake of the uncharted. You have everything you need.

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Farewell, Congratulations, Dylan Dybedahl-West

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:56:32 +0000

Farewell, Congratulations, Dylan Dybedahl-West Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 17:56

Congratulations to Dylan Dybedahl-West! He has accepted a new position on campus as the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Enrollment Management. Dybedahl-West's last day at ENVD was Friday, Feb. 2, and ended with a going away celebration at Avanti.

“I want to thank Dylan for his outstanding contributions to ENVD throughout his 8-year tenure with the Program,” Alea Richmond Akins, senior director of undergraduate education & student success said. “Dylan has made a tremendous impact on ENVD’s overall success and high student retention rates – some of his highlights include reimagining and propelling ENVD’s First-Year Experience Program forward, leading and improving Student Orientation, launching ENVD’s first ever Living and Learning Community and championing the importance of inclusivity and building students’ sense of belonging. The list of his achievements could go on. Dylan has made significant strides in ENVD, and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with him for so many years. I’m thrilled Dylan will still be close by working in a new capacity at 91��ý.”

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ENVD Assistant Professor Jota Samper and Teaching Assistant Professor Valeria Henao present at the PACES Outreach Awards Luncheon

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:50:56 +0000

ENVD Assistant Professor Jota Samper and Teaching Assistant Professor Valeria Henao present at the PACES Outreach Awards Luncheon Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 17:50

On Wednesday, April 24, the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship (PACES) held an Outreach Awards Luncheon where Assistant Professor Jota Samper, Phd, and Teaching Assistant Professor Valeria Henao were able to present on their on-going work in Medellín, Colombia.

Over the past seven years, the Colombian Displaced Communities: Planning and Urban Design Seminar has supported the process of providing basic needs to communities displaced by violence while simultaneously learning from their innovative approaches. Through cross-cultural collaborations between over 80 students from CU, an equal number of local university students and thousands of community members, the work has achieved many milestones. This includes constructing hundreds of pathways and stairways in the steep hills of the informal settlements of Manatiales de Paz, Carpinelo, and Honda, establishing two community kitchens, building, renovating, or establishing three community centers, improving water collection and provision and facilitating hundreds of sewer connections.

In his speech, Samper noted that through this project, faculty and students do not seek to rescue or impose solutions upon anyone. Rather, the focus of the work is co-production with the community: sharing challenges, collaboratively designing solutions and making those designs a reality.

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Talissa Brownell

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:45:52 +0000

Talissa Brownell Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 17:45

Distinguished graduate Talissa Brownell will earn a B.EnvD specializing in architecture with a Lighting Design Certificate. For Talissa, every favorite memory from ENVD includes the best friends she's been inseparable from since freshman year.

Where are you from?
Colorado

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Involvement to me does not have to mean being in a million clubs, it can mean surrounding yourself with a community where you feel accepted. Although I did not spend my time in official leadership positions, during my free time I was always at a CU sporting event, play or exhibit where I could cheer on my peers. I am grateful to have found an amazing community here at 91��ý where I was excited to be involved in my own way.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
When choosing schools, I knew that I was going to pursue architecture. I wanted to go somewhere with a focus on sustainability, but also a program that provided a well-rounded design education. Environmental Design is a one-of-a-kind program, as students have the opportunity to learn design through so many different lenses. With Boulder being beautiful and offering the college experience that I wanted, the ENVD program was a perfect fit for me.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at 91��ý that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
One of the greatest lessons that I have learned throughout my time at 91��ý is not to take life too seriously. Life is not only about school and work – it is important to have fun and create a balance for yourself. Of course, as ENVD students, we are passionate about our careers, but it is crucial to always put your happiness first.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My best piece of advice for current and future ENVD students is to study abroad if you are able to. As an architecture student, being able to see some of the buildings that we talk about in class and really experience design outside of the US has been extremely beneficial not only to myself as a designer, but also in my personal growth/perspective. (Also, look into the lighting design certificate!)

Describe one of your favorite memories.
It is so insanely hard to choose a favorite memory but the important part is that every single one includes my best friends Nicole, Franki, and Colton. Since freshmen year, I have been inseparable from these fellow architecture students; studying abroad together, dancing together, going to Raising Canes together, watching movies together, etc. I am so beyond grateful that the ENVD program brought these wonderful people into my life.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college means everything to me. As a first-generation student, I knew that college was not the only option. I knew that I would only go to college if I was passionate enough about something to want to do it for the rest of my life – not just to make money or obtain a title. I love design, I love architecture, and it means everything to me that I was able to find my passion here in the ENVD program.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After graduation, I am starting full time at AKLD Lighting Design in Denver. I am extremely excited to start working on projects where I can develop my skills and showcase my ideas. I am also excited to travel as much as possible, as my main goal in life is to see the world.

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Zoë Camp

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:31:35 +0000

Zoë Camp Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 17:31

Distinguished graduate Zoë Camp will graduate with a B.EnvD in product design. During her time at CU, she raced downhill for CU’s Cycling Team, participated in ENVD’s six week design-build studio in Medellín, Colombia, worked as a graphic designer at the CU’s Environmental Center and stayed heavily involved in Boulder’s cycling community.

Where are you from?
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Throughout college, I raced downhill for CU’s Cycling Team; a community where I met many of my best friends and got to see new parts of the state when traveling to different races each weekend. Over my sophomore summer I participated in ENVD’s six week design-build studio in Medellín, Colombia. It was an incredible experience getting to work with Colombian students and the local community. I also worked as a graphic designer at the CU’s Environmental Center, a part of a student-led outreach team. Outside of school, I try to stay involved in Boulder’s cycling community. I worked at Community Cycles, Boulder’s non-profit bike shop, and volunteer with adaptive mountain bikers.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
Growing up in a family of athletes and creatives, I was looking for a hands-on learning environment to pursue a creative degree in a place where I could continue racing my bike and immerse myself in mountain sports.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at 91��ý that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Throughout my four years, I’ve learned not to be afraid to take risks and fail sometimes. I often choose ambitious problems to tackle, and at times feel discouraged because I “fail” so many times before arriving at any kind of solution. But every time something doesn’t go to plan, I often learn a new and valuable lesson. I hope to take this mindset into the next chapter of my life, looking at setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to grow.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Enjoy the process! Don’t forget to celebrate all the little wins along the way, whether it's a new prototype, your classmates' success, or a final project on pin-up day. Also take advantage of all the resources you have. Don’t be afraid to bring a project to another professor, use the shops for personal projects, and ask the CINC staff to show you that machine you’ve been wondering about!

Describe one of your favorite memories.
The most fun project I’ve worked on was a group project with Geroge Davis and Fletcher Spear for the Epod market-led studio. I have so many great memories ideating, sand-casting, and joking around with these two talented designers. Everyone in this studio showed so much camaraderie towards each other's projects, and it made bringing our products to the EPOP Shop a special experience.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college is bittersweet. While I’m excited for a new chapter, I’ll miss my Epod family, the long days and late nights spent at the CINC working on cool projects with classmates who have become my closest friends.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After graduation I'll be looking for a job in the design industry, working on the personal projects I finally have time for, and riding my bike. You can find me at Boulder’s Thursday Cruiser Rides!

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Zo Turner

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:26:22 +0000

Zo Turner Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 17:26

Zo Turner's advice for other students is to stay curious: the more you ask questions and embrace a sense of childlike wonder, the more rewarding and expansive this program will become. She'll be graduating with a dual-degree in product design and creative technology & design.

Where are you from?
Breckenridge, CO

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Treasure of iDSA, social media coordinator for AIAS my sophomore and junior year, fabrication labs assistant at the CLC and at BTU for ATLAS.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I was initially drawn to ENVD for its architecture program, but I chose to stay for the product design emphasis. The amazing professors and creative projects in this area provided me with opportunities to delve into the more intricate details of design

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at 91��ý that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Design is fundamentally a mindset—it's about approaching the world with curiosity over fear. My experiences in ENVD and EPOD have underscored the value of maintaining curiosity and always asking "why?" Thanks to a foundation in creative thinking, I am equipped with the necessary skills to tackle not only design challenges but also real-world problems.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Stay curious! The more you ask questions and embrace a sense of childlike wonder, the more rewarding and expansive this program will become. Also, remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. With dedication and consistency, your efforts will yield substantial rewards.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
In EPOD 3100, you'll work with a group for the entire semester to develop a product that is showcased at a holiday market. One of my favorite experiences was collaborating with my group members to brainstorm, create, and finally bring our product to market. There's a strong sense of community in EPOD, and the collective success of our class at the market stands out as one of my most cherished memories

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating college symbolizes all the late nights, hard work and dedication that went into countless creative projects. It marks four years of significant personal and educational growth. Graduating also reaffirms that hard work truly pays off. I am immensely grateful for the ENVD community and the friendships I've formed along the way

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After college, I plan to return to Breckenridge, my charming hometown. This summer, I'll be working to save up to go backpack through Europe. In August, I'll embark on a backpacking trip for a few months. Upon my return, I will begin my career as an associate interior designer at Collective Designs, working for the Pinnacle Companies in Summit County.

Zo Turner's advice for other students is to stay curious: the more you ask questions and embrace a sense of childlike wonder, the more rewarding and expansive this program will become.

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Lydia Mercante

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:05:11 +0000

Lydia Mercante Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 17:05

Lydia Mercante, a distinguished graduate from Long Island, will earn her B.EnvD in sustainable planning & urban design with a minor in business real estate. She believes that the past four years at ENVD have made her into who she is today and taught her who she wants to become.

Where are you from?
Long Island, NY

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
I have been involved in Kappa Alpha Theta for the past 4 years and served on the executive board as the Vice President of Panhellenic in 2022. Within ENVD I was the Professional Development Services Assistant and worked under Nate Jones. This helped me feel more involved in the ENVD community and allowed me to gain a lot of professional experience.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I have always known I wanted to do something with the built environment, but also not be an architect necessarily. I felt like ENVD offered a balance of design and a sustainability focus that was very attractive to me. I have also always been interested in merging urban design and commercial real estate so I knew I wanted to minor in business.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at 91��ý that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
One of the greatest lessons I learned during college is that there are many aspects of life that can’t be controlled or are hard to manage and the only thing you can control is how you react. So, I have learned to react to hard situations with grace and kindness and try to always be the best version of myself.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My best piece of advice is to not take anything for granted. Life goes by fast and it’s important to take the time to enjoy it. Take time to do what you love and makes you happy, you are worth more than you may think.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
One of my favorite memories was getting to go to Paris in May with a class in ENVD. We had the opportunity to go around the city and see all different kinds of architecture, museums, and exhibits. We did a lot of walking and sketching but it was filled with laughs and fun times I will never forget.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college is a hard experience to put into words. It is nerve wracking, exciting, and bittersweet all at the same time. I am looking forward to what life has to hold but these last four years have made me into who I am and taught me who I want to become. I will always look at my time at CU and with ENVD fondly and hope that the rest of my life will be just as enjoyable as these past four years have been.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
Honestly I am not sure yet, I am currently working for a non-profit affordable housing developer and am planning to work with them through the summer. After that the goal is to move back to NY and start working in the urban design industry. I am trying to take everyday at a time and do my best to network and find a job that I love.

Lydia Mercante, a distinguished graduate from Long Island, will earn her B.EnvD in sustainable planning & urban design with a minor in business real estate.

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