Tuesday, August 6, 2024
By: Kyle Niblett
University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture graduate Juanita Shearer-Swink (BLAE ’73) was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Jeffrey Siegel Past Presidents’ Leadership Award this past Wednesday at the annual Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Conference + Expo.
The Gator landscape legend made history as the first woman to serve as president of the ASLA Florida Chapter in 1987. ASLA Florida Past President and 2009 UF LA graduate Laurie Hall nominated Shearer-Swink and presented her with the award alongside previous women who held the position in the chapter’s 62-year history.
Shearer-Swink began her career in South Florida, working briefly in private practice followed by 11 years working for the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department and as a capital projects manager. There, she worked on the design, public engagement, and development of regional, neighborhood, and community parks. She was also an instructor at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables, Florida.
Later, after moving to North Carolina, the former UF Distinguished Alumni Award recipient spent the remainder of her professional career working in the public sector for GoTriangle, a regional public transit agency. There she was involved in community engagement, public policy, intergovernmental initiatives, and the planning and design of rail transit projects.
In 1995, Shearer-Swink was the first woman of color to be elevated to Fellow with the ASLA. In 2014 she received the ASLA Outstanding Service Award. This past year, she was awarded the ASLA President’s Medal. Currently, she serves as a mentor for women in ASLA’s Women of Color Licensure Advancement Program as well as the chairs for both the ASLA Council of Fellows and the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board.
ABOUT THE AWARD
Beginning in 2011, the Past Presidents’ Leadership Award was named in honor of Mr. Jeffrey Siegel, FASLA, a two-time past president (1993 and 1994) and frequent leader in the Chapter, the profession, and in his community. Jeffrey Siegel was a leading role model, and had many followers, friends, and admirers. Naming the award in memory of Jeffrey Siegel demonstrates the high standard and distinct honor intended for the recipients of this award.
The Jeffrey Siegel Past Presidents’ Leadership Award may be presented as often or as seldom as determined appropriate by the Immediate Past President. Exceptional leadership is the only eligibility requirement or criteria for the selection.