UF Landscape Architecture Students Earn Top Honors in 2025 ASLA Awards

Five students from the University of Florida’s Department of Landscape Architecture, part of the College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP), have received top recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) through the 2025 Student Honor and Merit Awards program.

These awards, given in partnership with ASLA chapters across the country, celebrate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, creative design excellence, and strong leadership and collaboration skills throughout their academic careers.

This year’s ASLA Honor Award recipients from UF are Elizabeth Myers and Marc Grossberg. Erick Gomez, Megan Laffey, and Michael Valenti earned ASLA Merit Awards.

The Student Awards of Honor & Merit recognize academic achievement, design competence, and interpersonal skills and are distributed to outstanding students in programs across the country. The number of awards is based on the size of the academic program and awards are facilitated by the State Chapter.  Final selections are made by a jury of practicing landscape architects. This year’s jury, from the ASLA Florida Chapter, included:

• Helen Cohen, Senior Landscape Architect, Urban Design Studio and Current President of ASLA FL 
• Leigh Gevelinger, Owner, Coastal Vista Design and President Elect of ASLA FL 
• Michael Prevost, Landscape Architect at Hines, Inc.
• Johan Bueno, Senior Landscape Architect and Design Studio Lead at Dix.Hite + Partners

Students presented to the jury, ensuring an industry-based perspective on their curated work.  

“These awards reflect the student’s talent and commitment to excellence,” said Jules Bruck, Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at UF. “We’re proud to see these students honored for their outstanding achievements.”

Founded in 1899, ASLA represents more than 15,000 landscape architecture professionals nationwide. The organization advocates for the advancement of the profession through education, research, and practice — supporting the next generation of designers shaping resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities.

Learn more about the UF Department of Landscape Architecture.