AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION – NEW YORK METRO CHAPTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: communications@nyplanning.org  |  www.nyplanning.org

APA New York Metro Chapter Celebrates Two New Members of the AICP College of Fellows

Donald C. Burns and Adam Lubinsky Elevated to FAICP — Class of 2026

NEW YORK, NY, April 2026 – The American Planning Association New York Metro Chapter (APA-NYM) is proud to celebrate the elevation of two of our members to the AICP College of Fellows: Donald C. Burns, Deputy Regional Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region II, and Adam Lubinsky, Principal and Partner at WXY Studio and Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University. Both were recognized by APA's College of Fellows as part of the Class of 2026, the profession's highest membership honor.

Fellowship in the AICP College of Fellows, designated by the credential FAICP, recognizes planning professionals who have made extraordinary contributions to the profession and to the communities they serve. Election requires demonstrated excellence across practice, leadership, and service over the course of a career. Donald and Adam will be formally inducted at NPC26, the APA National Planning Conference, taking place April 25 to 28, 2026, at Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Registration for NPC26 is now open!

NPC26 offers two great ways to engage with your peers: in-person or online. The in-person conference in April and the online conference in May are unique events with similar but largely distinct programming. By registering for NPC26 in Detroit, you automatically receive a complimentary registration for NPC26 online. NPC26 online is a great way to reinforce lessons learned in Detroit, or to connect with your peers and earn CM from home if you can’t make it to the in-person conference. Make the most of your experience by choosing the option that best fits your schedule, learning style, and budget.

Register here

Call for all APANYM students: Student grants available, deadline 3/9

With the American Planning Association National Planning Conference happening next month, the Student Representative Committee of the APA New York Metro Chapter is pleased to open the 2026 Student Grant Application. Selected students will receive a $250 grant per person to help cover the conference registration fee and related expenses.

The application deadline is March 9, and selected students will be announced no later than March 15. To be eligible, you must be a current graduate student and a registered APA member (student membership is free!).

Are you interested in being a mentor/mentee for the APA NYM Mentorship Program? 

Are you looking to expand your professional network, gain insights into the industry, or share your wealth of knowledge with others? The APA NYM offers a unique opportunity to engage in a Mentorship Program that fosters growth and development for both mentors and mentees.

We are now accepting applications for our Mentorship Program through Thurs. Feb. 26, 2026 

Application Link:

https://forms.gle/c39ozJSyvm69UhLL8

The American Planning Association - New York Metropolitan Chapter (APA-NYM) Board proposes restructuring the Hudson Valley sections to better serve the planning community and foster regional collaboration. A step to achieve this goal is an amendment to the by-laws revisiting which counties are part of which section. This proposal comes after extensive consultation with Hudson Valley planners and careful consideration of regional planning needs. Ultimately, our conclusions are that a North / South section alignment better serves our community than an East / West section alignment.