My favorite thing about the department is the people and the social events. The department had a flag football team this fall, we’re having a basketball team this winter, and are going to have a softball team this spring. There are social events on the weekend and a road trip to Philadelphia this spring for the APA conference. The department just took a trip to New Orleans in October and one of the alumni gave us a tour and showed us what’s going on in the world of planning in New Orleans, and volunteered some time for a clean-up project.

My favorite aspects of Iowa City are the opportunities to see bands during the week and on the weekends, the farmer’s markets, all the bars and restaurants within walking distance of the university, and all the recreational opportunities within an hour of town. There are numerous places to go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, and canoeing.

I’m currently doing an internship just south of Iowa City in Washington County, IA. Another graduate student from the department and I are conducting a feasibility study to prove there is a need for a family resource center in Washington County and recommend where the center should be located. We are working with state, county, and private agencies.

Hometown: Marshalltown, IA

Emphasis: Land Use and Environmental Planning and Housing and Community Development

Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from Iowa State University