Celebrating Dr. Matthew Gebhardt: Toulan School’s Teacher of the Year!

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Matthew Gebhardt, who has been named the 2025–26 Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies & Planning. Dr. Gebhardt serves as the director of the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program and is a dedicated faculty member within the Toulan School. 

Students selected the award recipient through a nomination survey sent to undergraduate and graduate students by the CUPA Dean’s Office. Each student was asked to nominate up to three faculty members who they believe are the most deserving based on their own academic experience. The students have spoken!

When submitting their nominations, students shared glowing feedback about Dr. Gebhardt’s impact inside and outside the classroom. Here is a look at what they had to say:

• Matthew conducts himself in such a way that makes me feel very welcomed and that his classrooms really want input from the students. He is a very smart person and is able to instill all of his knowledge in such a way that makes complex issues much easier to understand. He’s also very empathetic which I always appreciate in a professor especially.
   
• Some professors love the research and other professors love to teach. You can tell he is passionate about teaching and creating bridges of communication. I appreciate his perspective and willingness to support student success.
   
• Goes above and beyond by being very available outside the classroom, assisting with efforts to recruit new students, and connects current students with working planners.
   
• He’s cool too!

As these comments show, our students deeply value Dr. Gebhardt’s teaching, advising, and mentorship. On behalf of the Toulan School of Urban Studies & Planning community, thank you, Dr. Gebhardt, for your dedication to our students!