Dr. Banyan is extensively involved in the community in a variety of efforts at the national, regional, and local level, working with a wide range of organizations, including local governments, nonprofit organizations, and special districts. She is the co-author of the upcoming Foundations of Public Service, 3rd edition and has published in Public Administration Review, Administrative Theory and Praxis, and the Encyclopedia of Governance. In addition, she has authored several individual and joint book chapters focused on the constitutional founding, sustainability, land use planning, and civic engagement.
Dr. Banyan has significant professional experience in both the public and private sectors, including serving as a full Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, Senior Fellow for Portland State University, a Senior Planner, Special (Fire) District Administrator, Coordinator for the Center for Public Participation, and Hatfield Scholar at Portland State University. She has designed and implemented innovative projects, collaborative research initiatives, and multi-jurisdictional planning efforts; including cybersecurity studies, strategic plans, comprehensive land use policies, community plans, economic development initiatives, health impact assessments, citizen surveys, focus groups, and needs assessments.
Dr. Banyan was recognized in a state-wide award by the Florida Planning and Zoning Association for Outstanding Education in 2017. She was the 2017 Complete Streets Champion of the Year, featured in Gulf Coast Woman Magazine, played a key role in Lee County’s successful $10 million federal TIGER grant award, and was central to BikeWalkLee’s recognition as the 2012 APA Florida’s Outstanding Public Interest Group of the Year.