MS Planning and Development 2023-2024 Cohort
The Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment (DGPE) extends a warm welcome to the inaugural cohort of the MS in Planning and Development program. Welcome to ECU!
For prospective students, information about this fully online program is available on the Community and Regional Planning Program website and on the DGPE Graduate Program webpage.
Abuchaibe, Isabella
(she/her)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“I am interested in environmental planning and community-coastal planning because, growing up in South Florida, I understand the unique issues that coastal communities face. Coastal communities are always at risk of natural disasters, as well as the ever-growing issue of sea level rise. I enjoy working hands-on with communities and consider local stakeholders to be invaluable in making changes in coastal areas.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“I transferred from a different planning program to ECU’s MS in Planning and Development program because the program is very supportive towards working professionals, which is very difficult to find.”
Arbour, Sarah
(she/her)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“My interests in planning are focused predominantly in rural, regional, long-range, environmental, and hazard resilience planning — although all facets of planning are enough to pique my interest! I am working to pair my educational knowledge with professional experience to one day write meaningful and realistic planning policy that preserves both the rural nature and environment of my home state while creating important opportunities for economic development.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“As a proud alumni of ECU’s Urban and Regional Planning undergraduate program, I am thrilled to be studying again at ECU as a graduate student. I chose ECU for my graduate studies because of the unique concentrations available at a graduate level, such as Rural and Regional and Environmental Planning. As a working professional and a mother of two small children, the flexibility of the program was important to me in the decision-making process. The program allows me to work during the day, play with my children in the evenings and on weekends, and concentrate on my studies at night.”
Bogue, Rose
(they/them)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“My interest in planning is holistic, but I believe my skill set will lend itself best to community development and urban design. Between my art background, my advocacy efforts, and my current work in student affairs, I have developed a love of form, a desire to serve the public, and an intimate understanding of placemaking.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“Living communally with my partner and two close friends has allowed for a quality of life far beyond what any of us young professionals could have managed on our own – especially amid this housing crisis. More importantly, there is a shared sentiment among us housemates that we are a little family, relying on each other and eating dinner together. Yet, many communities use zoning to explicitly prohibit more than three unrelated people from living together. This brand of discrimination based on familial status assumes the position that “family” only happens through blood or legal work. Discovering this type of policy while in the early stages of seeking to purchase a home added some fear to an otherwise exciting time in our lives. This is one of the many circumstances that led me to develop a deep interest in the fabrics of the communities I am in. I joined the MS in Planning knowing it will answer questions I have, provide me with tools to help my city thrive, and give me the chance to contribute a unique perspective.”
Buckley, Jonathan
(he/him)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“My areas of interest in urban planning are with transportation and urban design. I am interested in these because I am passionate about ensuring our built environments are safe & accessible for all people and possess sufficient services for moving those people around. I want to help create environments that incentivize healthy living, social interactions, decentralized economic development, and sustainability. Connecting these living environments via public transport, efficient roadways, and MUPs is a key aspect of the planning process I would like to have a role in.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“ECU’s program is affordable and accessible for someone in my position who is working full time and trying to focus on my career while also earning my master’s degree. I have heard many positive things about the program and think it will be well-suited to my interests and career goals.”
Medina, Chris
(he/him)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“My biggest area of interest is current development because it allows me to implement new developments while ensuring the applicants are following all appropriate regulations. This area of planning was new to me when I started working as a Planner at the Town of Zebulon, NC. I am very excited to learn and gain more experience with my job and the classes here in the ECU Planning and Development Program.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“I decided to join the ECU MS in Planning and Development Program because I want to expand from the material I learned from the BS in Community and Regional Planning Program. I also know most of the professors who teach in the master’s program. The flexibility of an online program provides a manageable workload while simultaneously working in the planning field.”
Romaldini, Lena
(she/her)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“I come to the planning field in hopes of combining my interests in the areas of sustainability, equity, social justice and art. I’m broadly interested in how planning can improve people’s quality of life. I received my B.A. In Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems and currently work in the agricultural advocacy field. I plan to combine this background with my planning studies in order to work towards better food systems planning in urban areas.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“I joined the MS in Planning and Development at ECU for many reasons. Practically, its online format and flexible pacing allows me to continue working full time. I was also impressed by the research interests of the faculty and staff as well as the course content. This program highlights the importance of intersectionality in the planning field and I really appreciate that.”
Tannenbaum, Kylie
(she/her)
What are your areas of interest in planning?
“Currently, I am interested in environmental resource planning, community development, and urban design.”
Why did you decide to join the MS in Planning?
“As a first-generation student, I completed my undergraduate degree at ECU and then joined the M.S. Planning and Development program. The remote program provided me with flexibility and affordability, which was ideal for me. My BS in biology and minor in public health has given me a strong foundation. During an English business class, I learned about the role of planners in building sustainable communities that focus on social justice, economic growth, and environmental protection. I felt inspired to pursue planning and help create such communities.”