Alumni
Megan Hoopman
Operations Manager
Tri Star Living
Oshkosh, WI
I am the Operations Manager for Tri Star Living, Inc. Our company has two divisions. One divison concentrates on doing general contracting for local residential housing; we are a certified builder for Stratford Homes. The second division specializes in doing general construction of residential universally accessible housing. Visit our website at www.tristarliving.com.
I chose the Urban and Regional Studies program because I think that it is fascinating to see how cities come together! I find it extremely interesting to know why things are located where they are (referring to city zones and districts).
I feel that the program prepared me well for the real world . I think that the required classes were an interesting and balanced mix of all the aspects of urban planning. I met a lot of very interesting people while I was a part of the URS program; I still know many of these people as friends and business contacts!
I think that my job is very important to the community because I help many people fulfill their lifetime dream to own and build their own home!
Stacy Vincent
Assistant Planner
VandeWalle & Associates
Madison, WI
I started at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as a Political Science major. The Urban and Regional Planning and Political Science offices were next door to each other, so out of curiosity I began to explore urban planning. At the time, like most people, I had no idea that urban planning existed. It actually amazed how significantly planners control our surroundings and quality of life. There were three major things that made me choose the field of urban planning.
1. With an urban planning degree you could do a number of different things, such as work for the government, a consultant firm, or a non-profit.
2. Urban planning directly and indirectly impacts a great number of people. Decisions and recommendations made by urban planners today will have significant ramifications for future generations.
3. The dedication Dr. .Burayidi brings to the planning program, his passion for planning really inspired me.
The ability to have a fulfilling, meaningful, challenging job made me choose the field of planning for my undergraduate as well as graduate degree.
Dr. Burayidi convinced me to go to graduate school for Urban Planning. I was surprised at the lucrative packages out of state schools are offering students. I attended the University of Cincinnati and earned my Masters degree without paying tuition and was fortunate enough to work for one year as a research assistant for a university professor. Graduate school made a substantial impact on my life, it taught me to work as a team, it gave me self-confidence, and developed my maturity.
Currently, I am working as an Assistant Planner at a small (30-person) consultant firm in Madison, Wisconsin. I have been with the firm for over two years and have worked primarily on urban redevelopment and downtown revitalization planning. Much of my time is spent conducting research for the firm. Some of my recent research has included investigating communities that have water taxis, evaluating model childcare programs, and determining effective programs to regulate public art. I also work with principal planners on various projects. I assist them in writing plans, attending meetings, and facilitating public events. I cannot express how much I am learning working as a consultant.
I have worked for over 30 communities in different aspects.Although the job is challenging, it is also rewarding. I have actually already seen some of our revitalizationplans being implemented and reach the construction phase.At the firm I work at we conduct brownfields, comprehensive, current, and redevelopment planning,so I am exposed to everything you can imagine. I work with planners, economists, urban designers,cartographers, and architects. Choosing urban planning has made a difference in mylife -I am happy with my job, I have a number of job choices in the future, and continue to learn new things everyday.
Operations Manager
Tri Star Living
Oshkosh, WI
I am the Operations Manager for Tri Star Living, Inc. Our company has two divisions. One divison concentrates on doing general contracting for local residential housing; we are a certified builder for Stratford Homes. The second division specializes in doing general construction of residential universally accessible housing. Visit our website at www.tristarliving.com.
I chose the Urban and Regional Studies program because I think that it is fascinating to see how cities come together! I find it extremely interesting to know why things are located where they are (referring to city zones and districts).
I feel that the program prepared me well for the real world . I think that the required classes were an interesting and balanced mix of all the aspects of urban planning. I met a lot of very interesting people while I was a part of the URS program; I still know many of these people as friends and business contacts!
I think that my job is very important to the community because I help many people fulfill their lifetime dream to own and build their own home!
Stacy Vincent
Assistant Planner
VandeWalle & Associates
Madison, WI
I started at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as a Political Science major. The Urban and Regional Planning and Political Science offices were next door to each other, so out of curiosity I began to explore urban planning. At the time, like most people, I had no idea that urban planning existed. It actually amazed how significantly planners control our surroundings and quality of life. There were three major things that made me choose the field of urban planning.
1. With an urban planning degree you could do a number of different things, such as work for the government, a consultant firm, or a non-profit.
2. Urban planning directly and indirectly impacts a great number of people. Decisions and recommendations made by urban planners today will have significant ramifications for future generations.
3. The dedication Dr. .Burayidi brings to the planning program, his passion for planning really inspired me.
The ability to have a fulfilling, meaningful, challenging job made me choose the field of planning for my undergraduate as well as graduate degree.
Dr. Burayidi convinced me to go to graduate school for Urban Planning. I was surprised at the lucrative packages out of state schools are offering students. I attended the University of Cincinnati and earned my Masters degree without paying tuition and was fortunate enough to work for one year as a research assistant for a university professor. Graduate school made a substantial impact on my life, it taught me to work as a team, it gave me self-confidence, and developed my maturity.
Currently, I am working as an Assistant Planner at a small (30-person) consultant firm in Madison, Wisconsin. I have been with the firm for over two years and have worked primarily on urban redevelopment and downtown revitalization planning. Much of my time is spent conducting research for the firm. Some of my recent research has included investigating communities that have water taxis, evaluating model childcare programs, and determining effective programs to regulate public art. I also work with principal planners on various projects. I assist them in writing plans, attending meetings, and facilitating public events. I cannot express how much I am learning working as a consultant.
I have worked for over 30 communities in different aspects.Although the job is challenging, it is also rewarding. I have actually already seen some of our revitalizationplans being implemented and reach the construction phase.At the firm I work at we conduct brownfields, comprehensive, current, and redevelopment planning,so I am exposed to everything you can imagine. I work with planners, economists, urban designers,cartographers, and architects. Choosing urban planning has made a difference in mylife -I am happy with my job, I have a number of job choices in the future, and continue to learn new things everyday.