"Great Works" Zube Panel with UMass Amherst Landscape Architecture Alumni
This week, the Department will host a Zube Lecture Series panel discussion featuring alumni from the landscape architecture program at UMass Amherst. Alumni will present examples of their work since graduating and talk about their experiences in the industry.
This event will be held on Thursday, February 12th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Design Building Lecture Hall (room 170). Admission is free and open to the public.
Join us after the discussion for a reception in the Design Building Gallery. Enjoy more conversations with the alumni speakers over food and drinks!
About the Speakers
Rebecca Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from UMass Amherst in 2016, and began her career in metal fabrication in Western MA, gaining hands-on experience in design, engineering, and installation. She later transitioned to a Construction Project Manager role at the High Line - overseeing complex public space projects and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Her career highlights the diverse paths within landscape architecture and the important connection between design and construction.
Jesse Nicholson earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from Cornell University, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from the University of Massachusetts, and an Associate Degree in Landscape Contracting from The Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He joined Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc. (MVVA) in 2013. His admiration for plants and his experience with building materials and construction processes inform his contributions to all phases of work at MVVA. The youngest of five children, Nicholson grew up on Martha’s Vineyard. He is an avid line fisherman and harvester of quahogs and scallops. With his intuition and communication skills, he fosters a genuine, collaborative design process with clients.
Samantha Anderson earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from UMass Amherst in 2014, and is a landscape architect currently practicing in and around Southern Vermont. She splits her time between her one-woman firm, West River Landscape Design, and Homestead Landscaping, a design, build, maintenance, and property management company, where she works as the Design Services Director. Between these two workplaces, Anderson partners with a wide range of design clients, including municipalities, homeowners, developers, institutions, and non-profits to envision inspired, unique landscapes.
Mike Abate, PLA, leads the translation of design concepts into built work, providing technical oversight throughout all phases of project delivery. He guides teams from schematic design through construction documentation and administration—reviewing drawing sets, specifications, and construction details to ensure a high-standard of quality and coordination. As a Senior Associate at Field Operations, Abate brings nine years of experience working on transformative public realm projects, including Newark’s Riverfront Park and Manhattan’s High Line Western Railyards Renovation. His current work focuses on complex urban projects in Miami, including The Wynwood Plaza, 1 Southside Park, 1201 Brickell Bay Drive, and the Lincoln Road District Renovation. Mike Abate graduated from UMass Amherst in 2016, where he was an Olmsted Scholar.