“I couldn’t be a successful urban planner without the holistic skillset and worldview I gained from my liberal arts education at UVM.”
Majors/minor: Geography and Political Science double-major, French minor
Lives in: Philadelphia, PA
What work looks like: “I aim to co-create models for cities where public spaces are inclusive, engagement is vibrant and expressive, and the people most impacted by planning decisions are positioned as authors of their environments.”
What she loves about it: “As a queer urban planner, I’m committed to challenging the status quo of who gets to shape our urban environments. I admire how the planning network in Philadelphia is closeknit and collaborative, functioning as a collective brain trust to push for policies and practices that deconstruct those barriers. The Philadelphia planning world has been more than just a professional network—it has been a platform to build solidarity with others who are dreaming of, and working toward, cities that truly belong to everyone.”
What she gained from a liberal arts education: “I gained a multifaceted analytical skillset including qualitative research methods, data tools, and strong writing and public speaking skills. These skills have made me a great storyteller, which has been instrumental in my professional life. The world of urban planning is innately multifaceted: You have to be well-versed in policy, law, history, design, and economics to be truly equipped to uncover and implement solutions suitable to each community’s unique needs. I couldn’t be a successful urban planner without the holistic skillset and worldview I gained from my liberal arts education at UVM.”