School of Planning, Design and Construction

Allison Balderston is a Teaching Specialist in the Landscape Architecture Program within the College of Planning, Design, and Construction at Michigan State University. She brings nearly ten years of professional experience from planning and landscape architecture firms in Denver, Colorado, where she worked on a wide range of project types. Her passions include designing parks and trails, educational campuses from early childhood (ECE) through high school, and affordable and permanent supportive housing, with a strong emphasis on the importance of community engagement throughout the design process.

Along with teaching, Allison contributes to MSU’s outreach efforts across Michigan. She supports communities that are updating their master plans, supporting them in exploring sustainable design solutions and leading inclusive public engagement efforts that invite communities to take an active role in shaping their environments. 

Allison earned her Master of Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University, where her graduate work explored how natural trail design can better accommodate people with disabilities; balancing accessibility, user experience, and environmental sensitivity.