Daniel Van Abs, associate professor in the Department of Human Ecology, has achieved the planning profession’s highest honor by being named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows for his outstanding achievements in environmental planning.
Daniel Van Abs.
Van Abs is one of 53 inductees into this year’s College of Fellows, an honor granted to members of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association’s professional institute. Fellows have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public and community service and leadership.
“Individuals who make up the College of Fellows are the true leaders of the planning profession,” said Valerie Hubbard, past AICP president, in making the announcement of this year’s Fellows. “These individuals have made lasting contributions to the profession and have inspired generations of new planners. They are truly awe-inspiring.”
Invitation to join the College of Fellows follow a thorough nomination and review process that is designed to ensure that candidate has had a positive, long-lasting impact on the planning profession.
Van Abs has spent almost 40 years in the fields of environmental planning and management. At Rutgers, his research is focused on the intersection of water resources management and societal development. He previously spent more than 26 years in management positions at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. Prior to his state service, he worked for five years in the non-profit sector.
He holds a doctoral degree in environmental science from SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry in association with Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Cook College at Rutgers.
