Planning Students Receive Honors From UF International Center
Three students from the University of Florida Department of Urban and Regional Planning were recently awarded Certificates of Outstanding Merit by the UF International Center (UFIC). Only six students from each college are eligible to be selected for this recognition.
Ph.D Candidate Mwansa Mwape of Zambia, Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) and Master’s of Integrated Sustainable Development (M.I.S.D.) student Oluwasegun James of Nigeria, and Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) student Xianyi Li of China received this recognition of excellence for success in their studies and for advancing the global citizenship mindset put forth by the Center. Xianyi Li also received the Outstanding Masters and Professional International Student Award.
Ph.D. Candidate Mwansa Mwape currently serves as a graduate teaching assistant and previously served as a lead project manager for the University of Lusaka, overseeing all construction and development projects across the campus.
“I was thrilled and genuinely grateful to be a recipient of the Certificate of Outstanding Merit and to also be recognized as a nominee for the International Student Achievement Award by the College and UFIC,” said Mwape. “It moved me more than I expected. It is a powerful reminder that dedicated work is impactful.”
MURP/M.I.S.D. student Oluwasegun James currently serves as a resilience intern with the Florida Housing Coalition and previously served as secretary of the department’s Student Planning Association, alongside various planning and research positions both within and outside of UF.
“I am truly honored to receive the Certificate of Outstanding Merit from UFIC,” said James. “This recognition reflects not only my efforts but also the support and opportunities I’ve received through the University of Florida community. It motivates me to continue striving for excellence and contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and global engagement.”
MURP student Xianyi Li previously interned for the Guangzhou Institute for Modern Urban Regeneration and Industrial Development, where she worked as a planning assistant, applying her classroom knowledge to real-world planning challenges.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” said Li. “My time here at UF so far has been incredibly rewarding and I’m excited to see where my journey in planning takes me.”