Glenn LaRue Smith integrates the disciplines of art and science as a landscape architect. Smith currently acts as Senior Partner of PUSH studio in Washington, DC, a firm that works to improve the quality of life and public spaces in urban areas through innovative design.  

Teamwork is the core of his work as an academic and private practitioner. Smith creates plans that can encompass the visions of his clientele, while integrating symbolic-oriented design methodology to produce highly sculptural landscape. As he works with a diverse range of clients, all with segmented needs, Smith has fine-tuned his listening skills, as a way to clearly understand the problem and how to effectively craft solutions that meet all team needs.

Aside from his day to day operations, Glenn LaRue Smith works to diversify the Urbanism industry, “I was able to hire black faculty, adjuncts and increase black student recruitment. This also provided the opportunity at Morgan State University to work within underserved black communities within Baltimore as service-oriented student learning experiences.  As an assistant professor at The City College of New York, I enjoyed working with students on a funded Environmental Justice project that yielded two grants and a publication centered around a seminar course”. He is also Founder of the nonprofit Black Landscape Architects Network (BlackLAN), which provides mentoring and support for black landscape architecture students and professionals. 

“There is no doubt that the SNRE/SEAS and University of Michigan graduate degree has boosted my career and credibility.  During my time as a graduate student I was fortunate to meet major firm leaders during their visits to the program as speakers or studio critics.  These connections were useful in beginning my career after graduation.”