Nio Howa is an alumnus of the Department of City & Regional Planning at UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design (CED). He brings professional experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, having worked at the San Francisco Planning Department and with firms specializing in design, engineering, and general contracting.
At UC Berkeley, Howa plays a leading role in advancing accessibility within the built environment. He manages the University's ADA Transition Plan and ADA Master Plan and leads campuswide accessibility planning initiatives that support the removal of barriers and advancement of universal design across the University. Howa also serves as Co-Chair of the Coordinating Committee for Removal of Architectural Barriers (CCRAB) and is a member of the Campus Design Review Committee, where he advises on accessibility strategy, regulatory compliance, and the integration of universal design principles into capital projects and campus development initiatives.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Howa remains actively engaged with the College of Environmental Design through mentorship, outreach, and participation in student focused initiatives. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Independent Living, supporting community based efforts to advance disability rights, accessibility, and independent living. Howa is committed to fostering collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and community partners while advancing inclusive, equitable, and accessible planning and design practices.
