American Citizen Planner – Indiana
American Citizen Planner – Indiana provides training to Indiana citizen planners who currently serve or plan to serve on area or advisory plan commissions. The program features 31 topics detailing core planning theories, practices, and processes. A comprehensive assessment and four virtual training events reinforce the content learned in the units. The program is hosted by a local Purdue Extension educator for either a county or a region.
American Citizen Planner – Indiana trains Indiana citizen planners who are involved in community planning in formal and informal roles. It’s online modules and live presentations cover 31 topics from core planning theories, practices, and processes, to current planning issues specific to Indiana. A comprehensive assessment and scenario-based discussions reinforce concepts learned in the course. The program is hosted each year in the spring and fall in state-wide and local formats. Contact your local Community Development or Agriculture and Natural Resources extension educator for local program availability.
As of 2024, the course has trained over 250 Indiana citizen planners. Post program evaluations indicate increased knowledge and skill in applying concepts of public land use regulation, planning, and development, and as well as running effective plan commission meetings, communicating about plan commission activities with residents, and engaging residents effectively in the planning process.
outcomes
Participants who complete the course modules, successfully complete the course’s comprehensive exam, and attend all workshops will earn the Master Citizen Planner Certificate.
format
The course also includes live workshops totaling four hours of instruction. In-person or virtual workshops are delivered by Purdue Extension Educators and feature a guest speaker on a current planning topic in Indiana.
Modules are designed to take about 30-45 minutes to complete and cover a broad range of topics, including:
- Ethics
- Legal foundations
- Comprehensive planning
- Development plan review
Target Audiences
This program is designed for citizen planners currently serving, or preparing to serve, on area or advisory plan commissions in Indiana.
- Current or future members of area/advisory plan commissions or zoning appeal boards
- Interested residents
- Elected officials
- Municipal, county or applicable nonprofit staff
- Members of planning-related boards or commissions, such has historic preservation, board zoning appeals, sustaininability, quality of life.
To learn more about American Citizen Planner – Indiana, contact:
Daniel WalkerCommunity Development Regional Educator
Walke422@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Team
Dr. Annie Cruz-Porter, AICP, Community & Regional Development Specialist
acruzpor@purdue.edu
Purdue Center for Regional Development
Dr. Indraneel Kumar, AICP, Regional Planner: GIS & Spatial Analysis
Ikumar@purdue.edu
Purdue Center for Regional Development
Tamara Ogle, Regional Extension Educator – Community Development
togle@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension Community Development
Kara Salazar, AICP, PCED, LEED AP ND, Assistant Program Leader for Community Development and Sustainable Communities Extension Specialist
salazark@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
2025 Sessions Overview
ACP-IN Course Timeline
Registration details:
- Registration Fee: $200
- January 2nd -- Spring Session (February-April)
- May 1st -- Summer Session (June-August)
- September 1st -- Fall Session (October-December)
For all inquiries: Contact Daniel Walker (walke422@purdue.edu)
Daniel Walker, AICP
Purdue University Extension|Community Development
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Illinois-
Indiana Sea Grant
765-215-1534
Recent News
Purdue Extension Community Development is the Indiana lead for the Great Lakes Environmental...
April 8th was a planning challenge for many rural communities in the path of totality from Texas...
Purdue Extension Community Development is the Indiana lead for the Great Lakes Environmental...
Purdue Extension was selected by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to co-host a...
On April 8, 2024 much of Indiana will experience a total solar eclipse with the path of totality...