Jacob Blankenship

Advisor: Dr. Misun Hur

Research project/area

“Understanding Small, Rural Municipality’s Flooding Preparedness: A Case Study of Grifton, North Carolina.”

Why did you decide to join the graduate program in this department?

“I decide to join the DGPE at ECU to further my education and explore my other interests besides what I studied during my undergrad at UNC Asheville. Coming from an atmospheric sciences and climatology background, I wanted to use this knowledge and apply it to my fascination with the planning profession–specifically development and environmental planning. I never had a concrete plan of what I wanted to pursue or research. It took me a while after I enrolled to realize this and what I was truly passionate about wanting to study, but that’s the exhilarating aspect of continuing your education!”

A fun fact about yourself OR your hobbies.

“Academics have always represented a huge portion of my life. I have always strived to be the best student I can be and prove to myself that I am worth more than I think. Few can say this, but I was selected for the academic title of success (Valedictorian) of my Early College High School and had to give a speech in front of a couple of hundred people. It’s a moment of my life I look back on when I find myself being doubtful in my studies and I use it to not only uplift but remind myself that I have more potential than I think I do sometimes. Not to mention, I also graduated with two associate degrees a week before I graduated with my high school diploma (weird, I know)!”