John O’Grady joined the Arcadia faculty in Fall 2022 after publishing his second book, Instructional Travels with Students Abroad. After completing his graduate studies at the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments, he continued his professional career there by leading the university’s Study Abroad program. Within three years, John increased the Study Abroad program’s participants by more than 20 percent and expanded the number of countries explored by their students to almost double the previous number. 

John is interested in finding the connections between the structures we live in, use, tear down, abandon, and create and the social impacts those buildings have on their direct environments and the people in them. Through his particular focus on sociology, environment, and economics, John hopes to encourage more sustainable building practices and greater community connection.