Ena Murphy, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a Principal specializing in planning and programming for Arts, Community, and Higher Education projects.
Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of college and university culture, building consensus among diverse stakeholders from campus administrators to student groups. She works collaboratively with an expansive range of partners to envision the big picture from a national perspective, drilling down into the details to achieve shared success.
In the following, Ena touches on her campus planning strategies in higher education and the satisfaction she gains working with clients and student groups.
What drew you to campus planning?
Campus planning is an opportunity to look at the whole ecosystem of higher education. It’s about understanding everything that makes a campus function, from the buildings and grounds; to students, faculty, and administrators; and to the relationship between town and gown. By approaching planning holistically, I gain a deeper understanding of a campus’s unique characteristics and can envision a strategy that positions us as an advocate for the client.
How do you approach this holistic process?
The most important initial step is to talk and listen to the client and the different stakeholders. That may seem obvious, but we approach every project from a position of curiosity. They know their campus better than we do, so we start with a conversation to understand their perspective, their history, and their vision for the future so we can then dive deeper with both quantitative and qualitative investigations.
How do you guide the conversation to engage different perspectives?
There are a lot of opportunities to hear diverse voices. But there are also challenges to make sure we’re reaching everybody—not just the loudest voices but also those who may feel underrepresented. We look for ways to engage perspectives through a range of formats, from planning committees to focus groups, town halls, and online surveys—or even just walking around campus observing day-to-day activities.
What are some challenges in campus planning today?
Every campus is unique. But there are still common themes across higher education, such as the need to incorporate sustainability into campus plans. And the other big topic, of course, is social justice and creating inclusive environments. Students want the campus to reflect their values and they want to know that the administration recognizes their input. Many campuses are also trying to find a balance between online, in-person, and hybrid learning. The process of how you deliver an educational experience is evolving, and this plays into our planning process.
How does your personal experience influence your planning insight?
One reason I love higher education is because my mother was a professor of nursing and department chair. I basically grew up on a college campus at Wright State University in Ohio. I was even on the brochures—she really involved me in her work. She also took me with her to Washington, D.C., where she would meet our legislators in person to promote issues and funding important to higher education. I saw how devoted she was to help her students succeed. That has always stayed with me.
What do you hope students will gain from their college experience?
I hope they gain a sense of place and belonging, and the confidence to express themselves as individuals on a campus that is designed for their needs.
What’s next on your agenda?
I’ve had the good fortune to work with a range of institutions nationally, from large research universities to small liberal arts schools. Campus planning provides endless opportunities to collaborate with creative and engaging people every day. It is a continuous process of learning, sharing, and offering our expertise to help clients and students achieve their goals. That’s the part that inspires me. ∎
Learn more about HGA’s holistic approach to Campus Planning.
