Portfolio

Below are some examples of the intersectionality of traditional Nihok'aa Diyin Dine'e architecture and technology. I captured with Lidar technology and varying 3D modeling software. The tools include Faro Scene, Virtu Surv, Revit, ReCAP, AutoCAD, and Virtual Reality. The videos display some of the processing and final outcome of the data, including a 3D-printed point cloud of the Male Hogan.  

Elisha Charley, MCRP

echarle@asu.edu

Enrolled tribal member of the Navajo Nation      

Education & Certification

Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 08/2019-Present

●      Area of Concentrations: Indigenous planning theoretical framework intersecting housing data justice and self-help housing in the Navajo Nation.

●      Advisors: Dr. Jose-Benito Chavez, Dr. Michelle Hale, and Wanda Dalla Costa AIA LEED A.P.

NCP 101 Fundamentals Week Certification of Completion, Oweesta Corporation - Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Practitioner Certification Program, February 16, 2024.

Master of Arts in Community, Regional, and Planning (MCRP), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2017 

●  Area of Concentration: Physical Planning and Indigenous Planning

●      Advisor: Dr. Theodore (Ted) Jojola Ph.D. and Moises Gonzales MUD

Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 2012

·       Area of Concentration: Interior Architecture and sustainable design

Publications

Charley, E., Varfalameyeva, K., Alsanad, A., & Solis, P. (2022). Mapping for Resilience: Extreme Heat Deaths and Mobile Homes in Arizona. In Youth Mappers - Undecided (p. Chapter 12). Springer Nature.

Varfalameyeva, K., Solis, P., Phillips, L., Charley, E., Hondula, D., & Kear, M. (2021). Heat Mitigation Solutions Guide for Mobile Homes (Knowledge Exchange for Resilience Briefings Series, p. 44). Arizona State University. https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.162992

In preparation:

Charley, E. (2024). Indigenous Planning Dialogue on Rural American Indian Reservations and Land Use Policies Impacting Indigenous Community Capacity and Housing Development.

Charley, E. (2024). Planning with Informal Work Activities: A Case for 21st Century Indigenous Self-Sustainability Methods on Nihok’aa Diyin Dine’é Bikéyah.

Charley, E., Shirley, M., & Lopezhuertas, J. (2025) Nihok'aa Diyin Dine'e Nahat'a' (Navajo Planning).

Collaborative Research

●        Indigenous Research Fellow - Nááts'íilid Initiative, Dennehotso AZ, 01/2023 – Present

• • Remote position

  • I collaborated on team projects relating to housing co-development in Dennehotso, AZ.

  • I co-created archival projects and models for Nááts'íilid Initiative's Indigenous and Decolonial frameworks.

  • I engaged with surrounding communities by gathering story interviews centered on Nihok'aa Diyin Dine’é structures and relationality.

●        Graduate Research Assistant – ASU Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, ASU Main campus, 07/2020-05/2023; 05/2019-08/2019 (summer intern).

• • Hybrid position

  • I distributed and maintained I-buttons in the field (Mesa, AZ) to collect temperature data.

  • I researched mobile home construction methods, materials, and housing policies. I presented the findings of summer research and plans for continuing research methods.

  • I contributed to an internal research findings report published in the ASU KEEP library.

●        Research Associate - Collaborated with the University of New Mexico School (UNM) School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), Indigenous Design Planning Institute (iDPi) 03/2018 - 08-2018

• Hybrid position

• I managed students in the field to collect lidar data on indigenous architecture with tribal members of the Zuni Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, and Santo Domingo Pueblo.

• I developed student-based projects on Indigenous architectural and cultural preservation using lidar technology and 3D modeling software.

• I co-created 2D and 3D architectural deliverables for public exhibitions hosted by UNM iDPi.

●        Research Associate - NSF-ATE Metrology Certification Project Grant, Center of Digital Technologies NTU, Crownpoint, NM, 5/2016-8/2016.

• • Hybrid position

  • The objective is to develop an International Metrology Certification with Tribal students attending Navajo Technical University.

  • Collaborated with Dekker/Perich/Sabatini (DPS) Revit technicians to implement laser scans within Autodesk Revit, ReCAP, and InfraWorks software.

  • Co-developed research findings with students, developing internal reports and projects to implement best practices within the NTU-BIM curriculum.

●        Faculty Mentor NASA CIPAIR & MUREP Research Grant, Center of Digital Technologies NTU, Crownpoint, NM, 05/2013-08/2013.

• Hybrid position

• The objective is to Strengthen the Digital Manufacturing Curriculum in the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering bachelor program.

• Supervised interns and administered project assignments focusing on Faro VirtuSurv and PointSense Plant software capacity.

• Conducted laser scans in the field, integrated data, and reverse-engineering 3D modeling utilizing collected point cloud data.

• Co-developed internal reports of research findings

Academic Position

Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator Building Information Modeling (BIM) program, Navajo Technical University (NTU), Crownpoint NM, 8/2012-05/2019

●        In August 2013, I established and offered an Associate of Applied Science in Building Information Modeling (BIM) program.

●        In Dec. 2017, I co-developed and offered an Articulation Agreement with the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Architecture and Planning, Albuquerque, NM, to advance NTU-BIM students in obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning at the UNM.

●        In August 2018, I received a title Promotion from a Lecturer to an Assistant Professor position.

Media

• Announcing the 2023 Native Nations Institute Graduate Student Research & Travel Awardees. (2023, October 24). [Higher Education]. The University of Arizona Native Nations Institute. https://nni.arizona.edu/news/2023-graduate-student-research-and-travel-awards

• Perez, S. (2023, November 9). Empowering Indigenous Communities on Economic Self-Development. ASU’s American Indian Studies and urban planning units team up to help build culturally centered and community-driven solutions. ASU News. https://news.asu.edu/20231109-empowering-indigenous-communities-economic-selfdevelopment?%7b_src%7d=news-story

• Gabir, F. (2023, October 16). “A Recipe For Disaster”: The Negative Links Between Extreme Heat & Housing Insecurity. Experts are looking toward change as rising temperatures become critical to the livelihood of residents in the Valley. The State Press. https://www.statepress.com/article/2023/10/magazine-a-recipe-for-disaster#

• Alisa Reznick, “Visualizing Arizona heat through maps”, ASU Now: Access, Excellence, Impact. July 3, 2019. Obtained 1/27/2020.  https://asunow.asu.edu/20190705-visualizing-arizona-heat-through-maps

• Carolyn Gonzales, “UNM professor and class win national planning award”, UNM Newsroom, June 19, 2017. Obtained 01/27/2020. https://news.unm.edu/news/unm-professor-and-class-win-national-planning-award

• Native News Online Staff, “NTU’S BIM PROGRAM TO CELEBRATE IT’S YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT WITH AN OPEN HOUSE”. Native News Online, April 25, 2018. Obtained 01/27/2020. https://nativenewsonline.net/education/ntus-bim-program-to-celebrate-its-year-of-achievement-with-an-open-house/

Presentations

• Charley, E. (02/21/2024) Housing in Rural American Indian Reservation and Co-development Approaches to Housing Production in the Navajo Nation through Sweat Equity. [The Housing Process class at the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Community, Regional, and Planning] 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. UNM Albuquerque NM (virtual lecture.)

• Shirley, Michaela., Charley, E., Low, Maggie., Lopez-Huertas, Joaquin. (02/02/2024) Indigenous Planning and Well-being. 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm. 2024 25th Annual American Indian Studies Association Conference Indigenous Wellbeing, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM.

• Holguin, Carmi., Charley, E., Dukepoo, Cara. (9/21/2023) Co-development Approaches to Sweat Equity Home Projects in the Navajo Nation. 10 am – 11 am. 2023 Western Planners Conference, Anchorage, Alaska.

• Tewa, Rae L., Charley, E., De Mesa, Alycia., Brown, Kevin. (04/21/2023) PhD Student Panel at the Indigenous Scholar Symposium. Arizona State University Women Indigenous Council Doctoral Scholars. 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm. ASU Tempe, AZ.

• Charley, E. (01/19/2023) Qualitative Research Methods in Indigenous Planning Theoretical Framework. [Engineering for Humanity course at Arizona State University School of Human Evolution and Social Change].10:30 am – 11:30 am. ASU Tempe AZ.

• Hale, M., Chavez, J.-B., & Charley, E. (2022, March 2). Food Stands & Navajo Flea Markets: Using Planning Tools to Tell the Story [American Indian Studies Association]. 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

• Charley, E. (07/2018) Dine (Navajo) Architecture and Planning Research [5th Annual TCU Faculty Research Convening hosted by American Indian College Fund (AICF)]

• Halliday, Scott., Charley, E. (10/2017) LIDAR Technology and Preservation [Technology Preservation and Tradition in New Mexico Workshop]. Santa Fe New Mexico

• Charley, E., Shirley, M. (07/2017). Tribal College and University (TCU) Articulation Agreement with Traditional University [4th Annual TCU Faculty Research Convening hosted by AICF]

Teaching and Instructional Activities

●        Teaching Assistant PUP 579 Planning Methods 2 School of Geographical Science and Urban Planning Arizona State University. 01/2022-05/2022

• Remote position

• Grading assignments

• Provide students with feedback relating to assignment improvements

• Assist a professor with administrative tasks

●        Assistant Professor: Building Information Modeling program at Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint NM

• • • • • DFT 101 Entry Computer-Aided Drafting

          •  Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017,

        • DFT 120 Computer-Aided Drafting 1

          • Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019

        • DFT 220 Computer-Aided Drafting 2

          • Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019

        • AMT 311 Laser Scanning Methods & Techniques

          • Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017

        • DFT 112 Architectural Drafting

          • Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018

        • DFT 212 Architectural Drafting 2

          • Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019

        • DFT 240 Building Codes

          • Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019

        • DFT 250 Construction Management/Estimating

          • Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019

Professional Recognition

Recipient of the 2017 American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Student Project Award for “Contribution of Planning and Temporary Issues; The Secondary Dwelling Unit (SDU+U) study.”

Fellowships and Scholarship Awards

Ph.D. Urban Planning program at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

●        Recipient of Native Forward Scholars Fund

●        Recipient of ASU-Graduate College University Grant

●        Recipient of ASU-Interdisciplinary Enrichment Fellowship

●        Recipient of ASU-Knowledge Exchange for Resilience Fellowship

●        Recipient of ASU-Graduate College Fellowship

●        Recipient of The Frank and Harrison and Harry Austin Voting Rights Scholarship

●        Recipient of Navajo Nation Graduate Scholarship 

●        Recipient of Navajo Nation Chilchinbeto Chapter Scholarship

Masters of Arts in Community, Regional, and Planning at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

●        Recipient of UNM-JB Jackson Scholarship Award, 2017 

●        Recipient of American Indian College Fund Mellon Fellowship, 8/2016-5/2017 

●        Recipient of Navajo Nation Graduate Scholarship, 8/2015-5/2017 

Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.

●        Recipient of Navajo Nation Undergraduate Scholarship

●        Recipient of American Indian Services Scholarship for Native American

●        Recipient of the Chilchinbeto Chapter Scholarship

●        Recipient of NAU-Continuing Higher Education Scholarship

Experiences

●        Design Automation Group (DAG) Tech Support – Jacobs BIAF Advance Facilities & U.S. Federal Solutions Dept., Tempe, AZ, 03/2019-03/2020.

o   Hybrid position

o   I managed automation programs for 3D software projects

o   I provided technical support for AutoCAD, Revit, and Point Cloud users.

Professional Memberships

●        American Planning Association, student member Arizona Chapter, 2019-Present

o   Western Planner - Tribal and Indigenous Planning Interest Group

●        ASU Women’s Council of Indigenous Doctoral Scholars, student member 2021-Present

●        ASU American Indian Graduate Student Association, student member 2019-Present

●        The American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers, student member 2023-Present