Post on 01-Jun-2020
Aerial view of University at Albany Uptown Campus looking south.
MASTERS IN REGIONAL PLANNING PROGRAM
Catherine T. Lawson, Ph.D. University at Albany
PAB Accreditation History
MRP Program established in mid-1980’s to meet need for professional planners in Upstate New York.
Original PAB accreditation in 2000.
Most recent PAB accreditation in 2015. Accredited for seven years.
http://www.albany.edu/gp/masters_regional_planning.php
MRP Specializations
Students come to the MRP program with a passion for making a difference; they graduate with the technical skills and training to turn that passion into a life-long career. We offer specialized study in three distinct fields: Environmental and Land-Use Planning Community Planning Transportation Planning
http://www.albany.edu/gp/masters_regional_planning.php
Work in proximity to the policy and decision makers of New York State government and agencies, and take advantage of numerous internship and job opportunities. Live and learn in a dynamic “case study city” where all aspects of regional planning can be observed and experienced.
Access to an invaluable network of graduates and advocates working in the field
http://www.albany.edu/graduate/step-by-step-graduate-application-process.php
The New York State Capital Region exhibits a healthy economy
Regional Statistics City of Albany Population - 98,000 Four County Region Population - 848, 600 Stable Population with Expected Population
Growth of 7% by 2040
http://cdrpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/09012015-Capital-Region-Statistical-Report-Tech-Valley-Trends.pdf
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/NYSCapitolPanorama.jpg
Internship Requirements
Internships are required in order to graduate (3 credits) Many students mature in these positions to a full-time position
100% fulfillment for student internships The Graduate Planning Student Association (GPSA) help pass
opportunities from one cohort to the next
Employer feedback is required in the form of a letter/email Describing what the student did, and how they did it
New York State Employers
Governor Andrew Cuomo with Policy Intern Liz Levesque (MRP 2016)
U.S. Government Employers
Regional Planning Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations
Private Sector Employers
Two new colleges at UAlbany will provide expanded opportunities for MRP students. College of Engineering
and Applied Sciences College of Emergency
Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
Awards link students to the Profession
Paul Marr Award Jamie Konkoski, MRP 2017
AICP Award Zach Powell, MRP 2017
“A successful planner uses process to empower communities. By connecting values and visions with the implementation of civics, programs and projects, we turn plans into realities.” -- Maria Chau, UAlbany MRP graduate and Community Advisory Board member
THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS IN ASSESSMENTS AT UALBANY Marcia Kees, University at Albany
The Role of Professionals in Assessments at UAlbany
What we Should Provide Responsibility to our profession Nurture, maybe even mentor,
the next generation of planners Support the Planning Program
at the University and in our communities
Provide input on needs in our field to insure these needs are met
What we Receive in Return Meet promising young professionals Be the first to see the latest pool of
potential interns and new hires Keep up with trends in the field Create mutually beneficial
relationships with faculty and students
Have fun!
MRP Community Advisory Board (CAB)
Advisory Board to MRP Program Meets with Department at least once each semester, and as needed Comprised of 8-10 professional planners representing:
- Private Sector - Government Sector - Non Profit Sector - Federal - State
- Regional - Local (City/Town/Village)
MRP Community Advisory Board (CAB)
Of the eight current CAB members: 6 - Have participated in the annual MRP “Practioner’s Speaker Series” 5 - Alumni of UAlbany 5 - AICP 5 - Current or former APA officers including two APA Chapter Presidents and three Section Directors 3 - Current or former Adjunct Faculty at UAlbany
MRP Community Advisory Board (CAB)
The CAB can provide a continuity and institutional memory that sometimes even exceeds Department faculty.
Aspire for quality not quantity Pursue broad representation from
the professional community Seek out networking capabilities
CAB member Susan Cotner in foreground, with staff members of the Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region.
The Practioner’s Speaker Series brings professionals into the classroom every year.
Sean Maguire
Maria Chau
Rocco Ferraro Kate Maynard
Mark Castiglione Jacklyn Hakes
Enthusiastic students conducting Studio field work at client’s office at beginning of the semester.
MRP Fall 2015 Studio at offices of Central Avenue Business Improvement District, Albany, NY. Sept. 2015
Relieved students following final Studio presentation to client at end of the semester.
MRP Fall 2015 Studio at annual meeting of Central Avenue BID, Albany, NY. Dec. 2015
Lakes To Locks Passage, Inc. Annual Meeting and workshop with the NYS Canal Corporation
Glens Falls, NY Oct. 2014
Client and community input on Studio activities provides feedback on Studio research and methodology.
UAlbany Students and Lakes to Locks Passage Staff at Annual Meeting, Oct. 2014.
2014 Fall Planning Studio
Recipient of 2015 New York Upstate Chapter APA Student Project Award
Cohoes: A Community for All
December 6, 2016
University at Albany Fall 2016
Graduate Planning Studio
Cohoes Open House/ Stakeholder Input
APA Chapter and Section Roles and Involvement
http://www.nyupstateplanning.org/
The New York Upstate APA Chapter has Five Sections.
The Capital District region is represented by the Capital District Planners Association, which pre-dates the formation of APA.
Opportunities for Professional Experience at Chapter Conferences
MRP Students display their 2016 Studio posters at the New York Upstate Chapter Annual Conference in Buffalo, NY. September 2016.
Opportunities for Feedback at Chapter Conference Poster Sessions
APA Northeast Planning Conference June, 2015
New York Upstate Chapter Conference Sept. 2016
Opportunities for Student and Professional interactions outside the classroom.
Students assist Saratoga Springs, NY Mayor JoAnne Yepsen and others in a workshop to raise awareness of planning streetscapes for those without sight. Workshop led by Claudia Folska, PhD (fourth from the right with a blindfolded Mayor Yepsen).
The pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow is an ongoing and
productive relationship between academia and practitioners.
Thank you!
Images of UAlbany from UAlbany Photo Database unless otherwise noted. http://www.ualbanyphotos.com/
• Eric Damian Kelly, Ph.D., FAICP
• Interim (and retiring) Chair, Department of Urban Planning
Engagement of Professionals and Alums
• Internships, with mutual evaluations
• Conference Participation • Guest lectures • Mentorships • “It’s Just Lunch” • Job shadowing • Juries
Curriculum
• Undergraduate (BUPD) program has five studios in three years
• That does NOT count the two studios in the common first-year program shared with Architecture and Landscape Architecture
• Graduate students have three studios in two years
DEPARTMENT POLICY strongly encourages real-world project with real clients for most studios
Juries
• Often include public officials and interested citizens, as well as professionals
Juries
• Some are informal
Juries
Juries
• Others are more formal
Juries
Jury Feedback
• Often oral comments • Some faculty have juries submit
written evaluation forms
THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS IN STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENT SESSION FUNCTION CODE 9110203
Presenters:
Hilary Nixon, San Jose State University
Catherine Lawson, University at Albany, SUNY
Marcia Kees, University at Albany, SUNY
Eric Kelly, Ball State University
APA’s 2017 National Planning Conference
WHAT IS STUDENT LEARNING AND OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT?
AND… WHY DO WE CARE?
WHAT IS STUDENT LEARNING & OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
• Process / techniques / tools to learn whether students are meeting the learning goals and expectations for the course (or program, or internship, etc.)
TYPICAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS
1. Define clear goals for student learning (at the program & course level for PAB) • Graduates of the Program will {action verb} {something}
• …be able to apply participatory approaches to address complex planning problems.
• Students who have completed this course will {action verb} {something}
• …be able to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of non-probability and probability-based sampling techniques
2. Develop effective ways to measure achievement of goals • Direct measures – measure actual learning/achievement, e.g. assignments, exams, capstone
evaluations, internship evaluations, etc.
• Indirect measures – assess opinions/thoughts about student achievement, e.g. student surveys, alumni surveys, etc.
3. Collect information
4. Use collected information to improve student learning
WHY DO WE CARE?
• Provides diagnostic feedback
• Helps to set standards & evaluate progress
• Motivates performance
• Graduate the best possible next generation of planners
SJSU Graduate Planning Students – the next generation of planners
PAB & INVOLVEMENT OF PRACTITIONERS IN STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENT
• Survey of 76 PAB-accredited programs (31 responses)
• 84% involve professionals/practitioners in assessment (formally and/or informally) Assessment Tool # of Institutions
Internship evaluation 10
Capstone/project jurors 8
Alumni/employer focus groups 7
Advisory council 6
Employer surveys 6
Client review of capstone projects 3
Information communication 3
Practitioner-in-residence 3