University of Iowa urban and regional planning alumnus Dave Andersen has been named to the 2026 College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), one of the highest honors in the planning profession.

The FAICP designation recognizes planners who have made significant and lasting contributions to the field and to the communities they serve. Each year, a small group of planners is selected for their professional achievements, leadership, and impact on planning practice. One of Dave’s recommenders for election to the AICP College of Fellows was former Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

“During the 2024 [legislative ] session, Dave played a critical role in advising my staff and the legislature on housing production and climate change legislation. His work helped create requirements that were both ambitious and practical. Dave has accomplished all of this by being a good listener, a consensus builder, and a consummate planner.”

A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Andersen earned an MS in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa. Andersen chose the UI because it allowed him to build on practical experience from his first planning job while contributing to national-caliber interdisciplinary policy research at the Iowa Public Policy Center, the predecessor to today’s Center for Social Science Innovation. He currently serves as managing director of Growth Management Services at the Washington State Department of Commerce. In this role, he works with communities across Washington to guide long-term planning for growth and development.

With more than three decades of experience in the planning profession, Andersen has helped shape policies and processes that support responsible development and community planning. His work has included leading efforts related to Washington’s Growth Management Act and supporting local governments as they navigate complex planning and regulatory requirements. Although the FAICP distinction recognizes individual achievement, Andersen has emphasized the collaborative nature of planning work and the contributions of colleagues and partners who support community planning efforts.

Andersen is the seventh alumnus from the School of Planning and Public Affairs to be selected for the prestigious FAICP designation.