Finding a Path in Planning: How UF’s Online MURP Program Helped One Alumna Find Her Calling
Melissa Ruth, AICP, at her graduation in 2022
Melissa Ruth, AICP, never saw herself entering the planning field. Driven by a childhood passion for the environment and the great outdoors, she began her undergraduate studies in Marine Biology at Western Washington University in 2014 as a first-gen student. Though drawn to science in high school, a college course in evolutionary biology made her realize that she cared less about studying the animals themselves and more about the policies and actions protecting them.
Quickly switching course, she pursued a degree in Environmental Policy with a minor in Economics, graduating in 2017. During her studies, she served as an Environmental Policy and Planning intern with the Bureau of Land Management, and an Environmental Policy intern with the San Juan County Parks Department in Washington. She even worked in Grand Teton National Park during the summer in college, adding to her passion for environmental policy. At the time, her only experience with the planning discipline outside of some interaction with planners in her internships was a transportation planning course she took during her undergrad, a course which she found little interest in.
Melissa’s passion for the outdoors helped lead her to pursue a career in planning
After graduation, Melissa moved to Jackson, Wyoming, allowing her to begin working for Y2 Consultants as a development planner primarily doing GIS surveys, reviewing land use codes, and working on site plans. She collaborated with a diverse group of planners, gaining insight into the wide range of avenues and topics the field of planning encompasses.
“I realized there was more to this than just determining street layouts and why roadways are planned the way they are,” said Ruth. “It got me really interested in the wide variety of things you can do with planning. While working alongside long-range planners, they encouraged me to pursue a master’s if I was interested, and to get AICP certified. At the time, I didn’t even know what any of that really was — and then I found Florida’s program.”
Ruth enjoyed her job and wanted to stay in Jackson, but the closest MURP programs were too far of a commute, so she looked into online options. However, every online program she found required her to go in-person at least once a semester. This obstacle led her to find UF’s program, and after speaking with an alum, she decided to reach out to MURP Online Program Director and Instructional Assistant Professor Kyle Dost to learn more.
“UF’s MURP online program provides flexibility for working professionals like Melissa to pursue a graduate planning education, and extends the opportunity to those who may not have a physical campus nearby,” said Dost. “Our department has paved the way for online planning education with the nation’s first online program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. We also go beyond the virtual classroom for our online students by building community one-on-one and coursewide faculty interaction, financial support for professional development and campus visits, a strong active student and alumni base, and nearly $250,000 a year in student scholarships and fellowships.”
“It really seemed like a great opportunity to keep working while gaining that new technical knowledge from the program, and then be able to apply that knowledge to my work,” said Ruth. “The flexibility of the program allowed me to vary my course load by semester and take summer courses, meaning I could work, travel, and still get my degree.”
Ruth considers one of the program’s greatest strengths to be how instructors not only introduce students to the many directions planning can take, but also teach the skills needed to succeed in each. She also praised her professors, who showed up to each class enthusiastic to teach, taking advantage of the online platform rather than seeing it as a hindrance.
“It’s such a flexible field, and when students know how to use these technical tools and software, it really gives them an advantage,” said Ruth. “They have the skills of a planner, but they also know how to use these specific tools right out of school, and I think that’s what really sets the UF program apart. On top of that, every single professor I had was eager to share their knowledge of planning with students, so they really do prepare students to hit the ground running once they start working.”
She has also participated in the department’s mentorship program, which pairs graduate planning students with practicing planners as they prepare for graduation. She found the experience of working with her mentee over the last year extremely rewarding, helping them grow their network and work on their professional development with their professional development as they prepared to enter the workforce.
“Melissa is a standout alumna of our MURP online program, continuing to engage with students, faculty, and the department after her graduation,” said Dost. “I always look forward to seeing her at conferences and appreciate her willingness to connect with students through mentorships and job opportunities. Her professional aptitude and accomplishments only reinforce what a great ambassador she is for our MURP online program.”
Melissa at the 2024 APA National Planning Conference
Graduating in 2022, Ruth, with the support of the department, was able to travel to Gainesville and walk across the stage alongside her peers.
“Even though I was completely online, I wanted to walk for graduation, and I want to thank Kyle and the department for making that a reality,” she said.
Melissa celebrating graduation with other MURP Online graduates and her partner.
In 2020, shortly after beginning the program, she secured a position at Logan Simpson, a planning firm dedicated to sustainable and resilient development. She applied 3 times with the company before landing the role, and encourages students to be persistent.
“I knew I wanted to work for the firm because their approach to planning aligned with a lot of my values,” Ruth said.
She has since been promoted to Associate Planner, working with communities across the mountain west on a variety of planning and environmental projects. Melissa primarily works with county governments, outlining their future goals in regards to recreation, tourism, and land use.