Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture
Haas (rhymes with “moss”) is a registered landscape architect in the state of West Virginia. Before joining WVU in 2013, she worked in practice for EDAW, one of the largest design and planning firms (later absorbed by AECOM). As a Fulbright Grantee (2008-2009), she worked with City officials to examine how public spaces and city planning can better promote ethnic integration in Tallinn, Estonia.
At West Virginia University, her research and creative scholarship promotes equal access in public greenspace. To this end, she pursues two research tracks: 1) exploring public space with sensitive histories or the potential to enhance engagement, and 2) seeking to improve physical access to greenspace, while simultaneously protecting and enhancing ecological resources within green corridors in West Virginia.
Haas especially enjoys working on projects where a timely application of engaged scholarship can dramatically shift the community outcome. Her students build understanding of course concepts through service-learning projects, often generating site analysis and design concepts to support non-profits’ grant-writing and fundraising for professional design work. Her efforts were integral to WVU securing an International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Trail Accelerator Grant (2020). Her engagement has been recognized with several awards, including the university-wide Faculty Award for Excellence in Community Engagement (2019) and the international Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture’s Service Learning Award - Junior Level (2017).
Her teaching includes three studios in the BSLA curriculum (LARC 121, LARC 360, and LARC 331) as well as asynchronous online courses in the Sustainable Trails curriculum (e.g., LARC 334/534, LARC 435/535). Her special effort in online teaching was recognized with the WVU Online Badge (2023).
Publications
Haas, V. (2025). Changes in active commuting after a school move and driver yield rate to pedestrian crossing flags: case study of Suncrest Elementary, Morgantown, WV. Landscape Research Record, 13, 157-171.
Haas, V. (2025). Iterative experiential learning: teaching stream survey skills and restoration principles to landscape architecture students. Landscape Research Record,13, 302-317.
Pierskalla, C.D., Arbogast, D. Casseday, D., Deng, J., Eades, D., Haas, V., Smaldone, D., Twilley, D., Weddell, M., Williamson, A. (2024). Examining progression in mountain bike specialization: a nationwide study. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2024-12174
Christiana, R., Daily, S., Bias, T., Haas, V., Dyer, A., Shay, E., Hege, A., Broce, R., Venrick, H., Abildso, C. (2022). Effectiveness of a point-of-decision prompt to encourage physical distancing on greenways and rail-trails during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environment & Behavior, 54(6), 951-970. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165221114897
Bias, T., Daily, S., Abildo, C., Venrick, H., Shay, E., Moyers, S., Hege, A., Haas, V., Dyer, A., Broce, R. Christiana, R. (2021). Systematic observation of physical distancing behaviors of trail users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 1(3), 121–127.
Haas, V. (2021). Tammsaare Park’s lost landmarks of revolution, Soviet-era path layout and pedestrian use: Tlinn, Estonia. Journal of Baltic Studies, 52(2), 193-220.
Abildso, C., Haas, V., Daily, S., Bias, T. (2021). Field tests of a passive infrared camera for measuring trail-based physical activity. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 584740. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.584740
Haas V. (2019). Teaching landscape 'triage' through fieldwork: site analysis at White Park, Morgantown, West Virginia. Landscape Research Record, 8, 344-358.
Haas, V. (2019). Marks on the city: the impacts of coastline emergence, foreign rule and bombing on contemporary Tallinn. Journal of Baltic Studies, 50(2), 205-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/01629778.2021.1912789
Haas, V. (2018). Building a new central park through civic engagement and service learning: Falling Run Greenspace, Morgantown, West Virginia. Landscape Research Record, 7: 280-293.
Belanger, B. & Haas, V. (2018). Re-imagining Linnahall in Tallinn, Estonia: shaping the future of a post-Soviet relic in the context of modern urban redevelopment. Landscape Research Record, 7, 355-370.