About Garret Zastoupil
Garret Zastoupil, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning at Appalachian State University. His work bridges academic research and practical community engagement to explore how rural and resource-dependent communities can design and plan for resilient, sustainable futures.
Prior to joining App State, Dr. Zastoupil served as an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Rural Economic Development at Northland College—the first college in the United States to integrate environmental studies into its liberal arts curriculum. He also worked as a Regional Community Development Educator with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension, where he partnered directly with local governments and community coalitions on strategic planning, public engagement, and leadership development.
Selected Publications
- Zastoupil, G., & McCrank, E. (2026). Strategic Planning for Wisconsin Counties: Focusing Resources for Impact. Wisconsin Counties Magazine (September 2026).
- Jacobs, F., Harrington, E., Lyles, W., Tirado-Herrero, S., Yacamán-Ochoa, C., Ruiz-Rivas, U., Zastoupil, G., … Hendawy, M. (2024). Just Energy Transitions. Planning Theory & Practice, 25(4), 569–596. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2024.2407697
Recent Courses Taught
- PLN 2410: Town, City, and Regional Planning
- PLN 4030/5030: Planning for Climate Resilience
- PLN 4700: Planning Studio
Assistant Professor