URP GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT
Spring 2023
May 5, 2023
22 MURP students are set to graduate from the Urban and Regional Planning Department this spring. This talented group of students boasts a wide array of backgrounds and interests in the field of planning, making for a diverse and successful graduating class.
The URP Department takes pride in being a part of these students’ academic journeys and is thrilled to see what they accomplish in their future careers. Get to know our graduates better below!
Congratulations, Planning Grads!
Korey Arsenault
MURP Campus
Korey’s planning interests include transit, bike/ped, access and equity. His future goals include conducting research on the Ghana Land Use Project with the Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department while searching for transportation related planning roles in the DC Metro.
Harper Bradford
MURP 4+1
Harper focused her studies on walkability, urban design theory, placemaking, engagement, and aesthetics. After graduation, she is planning to travel and work on independent studies. She hopes to also work in innovative city study and research.
Samuel Braverman
MURP Campus
Samuel’s interests mostly include housing. He will be working as a Housing Analyst at Atlanta Housing Authority after graduation. Sam also served as President of the Student Planning Association (SPA) while in the MURP program.
Evan Claessens
MURP 4+1
Evan’s planning background is centered in how built environments interact with humans on a psychological and emotional way. He also focuses on spatial design and placemaking. Evan plans to go on a solo adventure after graduation. Once that concludes, he is open working one of the many diverse jobs available in the planning field.
Carson Crockett
MURP 4+1
Carson is interested land use and zoning, urban heat island effect, sustainability, and transportation. He recently accepted a planner position with the City of Alachua. The position will give Carson an opportunity to further explore his interests in planning and continue to grow as a professional.
Michaela Crowley
MURP Campus
Michaela is interested in community engagement and equity planning. In late June, she will be starting a position as a Planning Analyst at Kimley Horn in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Joseph Gardiner
MURP Online
Joseph’s academic studies focus on transportation and housing equity. After graduation, he plans to continue developing his role as a Planning Analyst for the City of Leander, Texas. Leveraging GIS tools for local government planning brings exciting opportunities for the city and Joseph plans to spearhead this new type of planning role. He also plans to time helping his wife prepare for their daughter due in October!
Ilan Gritzman
MURP Campus
Ilan is interested in planning for older adults, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and transportation planning. His thesis focused on examining the relationship between senior growth trends in Sunbelt metropolitan areas and access to food and transportation. After graduation, Ilan will begin working as a Transportation Planner II at Orange County Government in Orlando, Florida.
Maggie Heigl
MURP 4+1
Maggie focused her MURP studies in transportation (rail, transit, bike, ped), gender equality (gender-inclusive planning), and sustainability. She will be returning to her hometown, Philadelphia, PA, to be a transportation planner.
Simone Kenny
MURP 4+1
Simone is interested in Land use planning and antiquated subdivisions. After graduation, she is planning to work in the the public sector, working as a planner for Flagler County.
Hillary Laskey
MURP Campus
Hillary focused her studies on community planning, long-term planning, and land use policy. After graduation, she will be moving to Jacksonville, where she will be pursuing a planning position with a local government at the city or county level. Hillary looks forward to getting established in the community of Jacksonville and seeing where her planning career takes her.
Jasmen Macdonald
MURP Online
Jasmen is interested in how closed military bases reintegrate back into their surrounding communities. She looks forward to having some free time to travel and read a new book after graduation.
Parin Patel
MURP Online
Parin focused her studies on transportation planning, community-based planning, smart growth, creating and planning accessible open spaces in cities. Parin is currently working as a Transportation Planner for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. She is committed to creating livable and equitable communities for all.
Patricia Prevost
MURP Online
Patricia is interested in form-based code and urban design. After graduation, she is relocating to Atlanta and looking for new planning opportunities. She’s sad to leave Orlando and Kissimmee but ready for the next adventure.
Kathryn Purvis
MURP Online
Kathryn’s planning interests are rooted in sustainable and rural planning. After graduation, she will be traveling with her family this summer and exploring opportunities in the planning field that provide experience with sustainable policy.
Joann Rubio
MURP Online
Joann focused her studies on rental housing. The title of her Master’s Research Project is “Mechanisms for Addressing Rent Increases: A Case Study of 3 Florida MSAs.” She joined the Advenir Oakley Development team in June of 2022 and plans to continue working there after graduation.
S. Milena Sanabria
MURP Campus
Milena focused her studies in GIS and housing. Her research was in affordable housing models, specifically in Community Land Trust. Through her internship she completed during her master’s, she was able to work in Colombia and Chile. Milena would like to start her working life after obtaining her master’s degree here in the US.
Claudia Wells
MURP Online
Claudia’s planning interests are specifically in housing. Her research investigates factors that influence the utility of NYC shelters. She works at CUNY but is seeking employment at another New York City agency. After graduation, she hopes to gain certification in AICP and use her knowledge to help homeless populations utilize shelters and access affordable housing.
Ian Wickstead
MURP Online
Ian is interested in adaptive reuse, placemaking, social equity, GIS, transportation, and housing. He enjoyed his internship with the Dutchess County Transportation Council in Poughkeepsie, NY during the Summer of 2022. He hopes to work in the Mid-Hudson Valley in local government, either at the municipal or county level after taking some time off after graduation.
Trevor Withrow
MURP Online
Trevor focused his studies on environmental planning, land use law, and coastal development. He recently accepted a job offer at ICF as an environmental planner. He hopes to grow at this company, and eventually transition into a role as a project manager or senior planner.
Christopher Wolf
MURP 4+1
Christopher is interested in transportation (multimodal, active, safety), sustainability, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). After graduation, he will be working for Benesch in Fort Lauderdale as a transit planner.