Patrtice Ruffin Inducted into AICP College of Fellows

Please join us in congratulating Patrice Ruffin Dowdell, Esq., FAICP, for her induction into the 2026 Class of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)! Fellows of AICP are nominated and selected by their peers to recognize and honor their outstanding contributions as professional planners. The outcomes of their individual efforts left demonstrably significant and transformational improvements to the field of planning and the communities they served. Congratulations, Patrice!

For over 20 years, Patrice Ruffin, Esq., FAICP, has demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing equitable planning practice and strengthening the profession. As Assistant City Manager for the City of Brookhaven, Ga., she has led transformative housing, sustainability, and community engagement initiatives that serve as replicable models. Her leadership integrates policy innovation, inclusive governance, and measurable implementation. A dedicated APA volunteer and AICP Commissioner, Patrice has mentored emerging planners, expanded scholarship access for students of color, and revitalized division engagement. Her career reflects a clear legacy of impact—advancing planning practice, empowering future leaders, and delivering lasting public benefit. Patrice holds a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A&M University.