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Jeff Robertson

Jeff Robertson

Dean and Professor of Astrophysics, College of Health, Science, and TechnologyUniversity of Central Missouri

Jeff Robertson joined University of Central Missouri in 2022 as Dean & Professor of Astrophysics. He previously held multiple leadership roles at Arkansas Tech University, including Dean and Associate VP for Academic Affairs. Dr. Robertson holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Indiana University and dual B.S. degrees in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Kansas. His research includes binary stars, exoplanets, hazardous asteroids, and observatory automation. He is a member of the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps and a graduate of American Academic Leadership Institute's Becoming a Provost Academy.

Wed Oct 284:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Designing Culture Through Renovation: Lessons from UCM’s Reimagined Humphreys Building

How can a historic building catalyze new ways of learning and collaborating? At the University of Central Missouri, the century-old Humphreys Building…How can a historic building catalyze new ways of learning and collaborating? At the University of Central Missouri, the century-old Humphreys Building was reimagined as a flexible academic hub supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration. Because inco…How can a historic building catalyze new ways of learning and collaborating? At the University of Central Missouri, the century-old Humphreys Building was reimagined as a flexible academic hub supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration. Because incoming occupants came from departments with little prior interaction, the design had to build shared culture, not just rehabilitate a structure. This session explores how inclusive engagement uncovered …How can a historic building catalyze new ways of learning and collaborating? At the University of Central Missouri, the century-old Humphreys Building was reimagined as a flexible academic hub supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration. Because incoming occupants came from departments with little prior interaction, the design had to build shared culture, not just rehabilitate a structure. This session explores how inclusive engagement uncovered common needs, shaped adaptable learning spaces, and produced strategies now influencing campus-wide standards for student-centered environments.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More

EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)Session TypeTRACK 3: From Vision to Reality — Planning, funding, delivery, operations, and safetySession Track
Stephanie Keeton
Jeffrey Mandyck
Jeff Robertson
Lynn Urban
Stephanie Keeton
Stephanie KeetonHollis + Miller Architects
Jeffrey Mandyck
Jeffrey MandyckPrincipal, Cuningham Group
Jeff Robertson
Jeff RobertsonDean and Professor of Astrophysics, College of Health, Science, and Technology, University of Central Missouri
Lynn Urban
Lynn UrbanProfessor and Chair, Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of Central Missouri
Stephanie Keeton
Stephanie KeetonHollis + Miller Architects
Jeffrey Mandyck
Jeffrey MandyckPrincipal, Cuningham Group
Jeff Robertson
Jeff RobertsonDean and Professor of Astrophysics, College of Health, Science, and Technology, University of Central Missouri
Lynn Urban
Lynn UrbanProfessor and Chair, Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of Central Missouri
Tags:Group A
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:N/A
Learner Engagement:To support adult learners and move beyond a lecture-style format, this session incorporates structured, collaborative engagement. Each table will participate in a guided exercise exploring the relationship between culture and space—mirroring the core themes of the Humphreys project. Participants will consider their own buildings: If you were renovating today, what cultural shifts would need to accompany physical change for the design to be truly successful? Small-group discussion will lead to a single shared response submitted through an online chat tool. We will highlight selected insights during a brief report-back, reinforcing how culture, behavior, and spatial design are interconnected. This approach encourages reflection, peer learning, and practical application—key principles of effective adult engagement.
Learning Objective 1:Identify strategies for using stakeholder engagement to build shared culture among academic units with limited prior collaboration.