Phoenix Business Journal honors ASU professor

Nan Ellin, associate professor and director of the urban and metropolitan studies program at the Arizona State University School of Public Affairs, was honored in the Oct. 12 “Power Book” edition of the Phoenix Business Journal and at the publication’s second annual awards dinner. The criteria for the publication’s “power player” recognition included “leadership, professionalism and dedication to our community,” and Ellin was spotlighted in the category highlighting 10 businesspeople “playing at new positions.”

Ellin, whose expertise is in the design and revitalization of urban environments, joined the School of Public Affairs in 2006 and has been instrumental in the launch of the new undergraduate degree in urban and metropolitan studies. The program was designed to prepare a new generation of civic leaders to assume leadership positions across sectors, or to pursue advanced degrees in urban planning, public policy, public administration, law, business, arts administration, historic preservation and other related careers.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the editorial team at the Phoenix Business Journal for doing the work I am passionate about: connecting people, resources and ideas to enhance the quality of life and quality of place in the Phoenix metropolitan region,” notes Ellin.

Her focus on solutions to today’s multilayered urban issues puts her in high demand as a speaker, policy consultant, media commentator and researcher. Through “Phoenix: 21st Century City,” which she was instrumental in producing with Edward Booth-Clibborn, she has helped promote the city as an emerging center of creativity through a cross-continental book tour. She is also the author of “Integral Urbanism” (Routledge, 2006).

Ellin earned the ASU President’s Medal for Social Embeddedness and the ASU School of Public Affairs Distinguished Research Award in 2007. She is co-principle investigator on a grant that is studying strategies for building sustainable neighborhoods in Phoenix.

Prior to joining ASU in 1998, Ellin was a Fulbright Scholar in France. She was on the faculty of the ASU College of Design for eight years and has also taught at the University of Cincinnati, the Southern California Institute of Architecture, the University of Southern California and New York University.