How did I get into urban planning?

I grew up in a historic neighborhood near downtown Indianapolis. I grew up in a very walkable area where I knew my neighbors and could see the park from my house.

My favorite memories include biking with my family to the comic book shop on the circle and stopping for ice cream on the way, but I was never shielded from the fact that my life experiences were different from that of so many people.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to dedicate my time to and energy to not only making sure everyone had a place to live, but making sure everyone had a place they love.

During my time at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, I volunteered with Beggars for the Poor and spoke with many people about their experiences of homelessness and what they needed to move forward.

Their stories exposed me to many deep-rooted issues in housing that made getting out of homelessness almost impossible. Through my urban planning education, I hope to resolve these issues and create the healthy, safe, and nurturing environments that everyone deserves.

I aspire to combine my passions for nature, art, and people to help manifest communities that make people feel empowered. I am privileged to hear what people want from their communities and help bring those visions to life. Moving forward in my career, I hope to work more closely with residents and enact tangible change in communities.