Erin Porter, PLA
Erin Porter, PLA

Curriculum Challenge Chair

Erin Porter was first inspired in high school by a favorite teacher, Mr. Schwartz.  He taught a drafting class using the “old school” methods of pencil on vellum and a malodourous blueprint machine. He impressed upon her the importance of line weights and readability and how to visualize while drafting.  He was also progressive and introduced her to AutoCAD even though he himself was just learning to use it.  Art has always been an integral part of Erin’s life as well. Since a young age she has been creative; painting, coloring, crafting and drawing.  When considering choosing a college and career she came across the program in landscape architecture.  Although her parents had not heard of it, she felt it was the perfect fit for combining a love of drafting, a desire to continue creativity and potentially a way to leave a positive impact on the community.

Erin was accepted to the landscape architecture program at Iowa State University in the College of Design. The 5-year program is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the United States of the 44 accredited undergraduate programs.  The program at Iowa State focuses on concept and design, while technical aspects, such as plant material, construction techniques, hydrology and environmental concerns are all important parts of the program, the common thread is always design and concept.  After graduation, Erin accepted a position across the country at Cotleur & Hearing, a landscape architecture and planning firm in Jupiter, Florida. Working there has given her a wealth of real world experience. She has had the opportunity to design communities, plazas, memorial gardens and schools. Landscape architecture has given Erin a different view on the everyday world, the way it is created and the influences of a community on how it is shaped.  Erin is excited to be able to  come to work every day with a new challenge, a different puzzle to solve and on the best days, see her concepts, ideas and plans become a reality.