Michael Dobbins is a part-time professor of practice in the architecture and city and regional planning programs, and supports the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development, at Georgia Tech's College of Architecture.

From June 1996 until April 2002, Dobbins was Commissioner of the Department of Planning, Development and Neighborhood Conservation for the City of Atlanta . He continues to provide advisory services to the City of Atlanta for transportation and land use issues.

He received Bachelor and Master of Architecture Degrees from Yale University . Dobbins is a Licensed Architect in Georgia and California ; Fellow of the American Institute of Architects; member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association, the Urban Land Institute, the Congress of New Urbanism and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Other experience includes planning director positions at the University of California-Berkeley; Birmingham , Alabama ; New York City Planning Department (Staten Island); and New Orleans Comprehensive River Area Study. Dobbins has taught at UC Berkeley, Birmingham Southern College, Tulane School of Architecture, and Columbia University . He has been a participant in planning and design forums and technical assignments across the country and in Europe and China ; supporter of a range of community and neighborhood based activities; and the recipient of many honors and awards.