Dr. Hannah Lebovits to Join the Institute of Urban Studies as Assistant Director

Friday, Aug 23, 2024

The Institute of Urban Studies (IUS) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Hannah Lebovits. 

Hannah will begin her duties as the new IUS Assistant Director on September 1, 2024. She will be based at UTA Fort Worth, working with Director, Alan Klein, Coordinator II Wanna Smith, and IUS research associates. Her role will be to ensure the efficiency of day-to-day operations at the Institute and collaborate with the IUS Director, the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) Dean, Dr. Ming Han Li, and other internal and external UTA partners. As the Executive Director of IUS, Dean Li stated, "Dr. Lebovits' commitment to help and support the communities around the DFW metroplex impresses me. I am excited for her to start this new role and look forward to working with her." She will continue to enhance the capacity and impact of IUS community outreach and assistance while increasing IUS research and content generation. 

Dr. Lebovits will transition from her current position as an Assistant Professor in Public Affairs and Planning. Since arriving at UTA in 2020, Dr. Lebovits has developed a research portfolio focused on state and local governance, homelessness, socially sustainable community development, environmental justice, housing and homelessness, and religion in urban contexts. "I am looking forward to taking on this role and can't wait to apply my skills and expertise in ways that will support and advance the Institute's mission and goals," Lebovits says. "I have long admired the legacy of the IUS and the important work they have done to support urban and rural community interests."

 Her skills and experience in community outreach and engagement have been active at the public level and through various mediums, including social media, radio, newspapers, podcasts, and magazines. She has been interviewed by or quoted in numerous publications, including KERA, The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Observer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and Texans for Reasonable Solutions. 

 Alan Klein states, "we could not have found a better candidate for Assistant Director. Her energy, communication skills, and dedication to serving the community at multiple levels makes her a perfect fit for enhancing the Institute's 50+ year mission of helping Texas communities deal with critical issues."

Please join us in welcoming Hannah to her new Institute of Urban Studies role.