Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

Sustainable Urbanism in South Korea

May 19, 2025 – June 2, 2025

Our fifth faculty-led Summer Study Abroad program in South Korea, led by Dr. Misun Hur, took place from May 19 to June 2, 2025. Thirteen students—twelve undergraduates and one graduate student—participated, along with an undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Cooper Hilbert.

Each student chose their topic of interest and kept their daily blog while abroad. Topics varied from cultural blueprints (Faith Walker), local food systems and urban agriculture (Katherine Shearin), Urban Bloom: green infrastructure (Miranda Nelson), architectural materials (Nicholas Dunnebacke), sustainable tourism (Fletcher Miglorie), and many more. A full report with extended research on their chosen topic is required, presented in the format of a short video or a StoryMap.

Watch a short video 🎥 with highlights from this year’s program.

 

Interested in the 2026 Study Abroad program in South Korea?

A new update for next year’s program is coming soon. Website at https://planning.ecu.edu/study_abroad/ 

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

Since its inception in 2018, East Carolina University’s Community and Regional Planning program has welcomed six Planners-in-Residence (PiRs): Merrill Flood, James Rhodes, AICP, Michelle Nance, FAICP, Lee Padrick, Angela Richter, and Ken Graves. These experienced professionals maintain full-time positions in the field while teaching, offering students direct exposure to current planning practices.

The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) recognized ECU’s PiR program as a Noteworthy Practice for Student Engagement in the Profession, stating that “PiRs serve as a critical connection to the professional planning community in eastern North Carolina, enhancing the Program’s relevance. … The value of the current PIRs extends beyond the classroom and includes mentoring and professional networking that provides a clear path to internship and employment opportunities.”

Over the years, PiRs have taught applied courses, such as Land Use Planning, Planning Studio, Practicum, and Legislative and Administrative Planning, as well as a General Education course that introduces non-majors to the real-world impact of the planning profession.

Read testimonials from recent graduates to learn how PiRs helped shape the foundation of their careers.

Cameron Brown and Merrill Flood (PiR) at a regional conference

Cameron Brown and Merrill Flood (PiR) at a regional conference

“I loved the Planner-In-Residence aspect of my education with the planning department. Hearing directly from experienced individuals who have worked in planning for decades in the state added a valuable layer of substance to my learning. Their practical knowledge made me appreciate my education even more, as I could connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications. Unlike some courses that feel purely conceptual, it was refreshing to hear from well-known and highly respected planners about how things actually work at the street level.

Additionally, the connections and relationships I was able to build with these professionals were another significant benefit. The Planner-In-Residence faculty often went out of their way to support planning students, whether through job connections or mentorship. Their guidance and support were invaluable and truly made my experience special. Now, as a graduate student, I often miss the experience of being in the classroom with practitioners who deeply understand the administrative realities of planning.” – Cameron Brown (Class of 2024)

“The Planners in Residence (PiRs) are a staple in the ECU Planning Program and a welcome addition to the stellar faculty and staff within the program. Being taught and assessed by planners helped us as students to process the principles we learned in our theory classes and conceptualize how those principles apply to everyday planning. This balance between theory and application made the curriculum really come to life! Even as students, we could confidently speak about planning because we had a well-rounded understanding of its applications. This was extremely invaluable as we had a leg up in our interviews and eventual careers. To this day, I still receive kudos from colleagues since ECU is known for its strong planning program and the talent it produces.” – Leila Coe (Class of 2022)

“As a 2019 graduate of the Planning Program at East Carolina University (ECU), I will always advocate for participation in and support of the university and the Planning Program. In my senior year, Dr. Hur and the faculty launched the PiR track, which has played a pivotal role in my professional development. My first PiR professor was Merrill Flood, who I remain in contact with on a regular basis. Mr. Flood, a former City Administrator, provided me and my classmates with training and shared his wealth of professional experience in all things Planning and Local Government. One training that stood out to me was the “mock interviews.” Mr. Flood and the faculty facilitated interviews with experts in the planning and local government field, which required students to challenge their preparation, speaking skills, and knowledge of all aspects of planning. The experience and lessons learned from the mock interviews provided me with the tools to interview for and accept my first position soon after graduation with the City of Winston-Salem’s Planning Department. To this day, I’ve continued to grow professionally and have moved into a leadership role with the City of Winston-Salem. I still regularly draw on what I learned through my PiR experience.” – Samuel Hunter (Class of 2019)

“I firmly believe the Planner in Residence program at ECU is one of the best features of the Planning program. I found it very beneficial to be able to learn from seasoned professionals working locally in the planning field who could teach us about real-world examples of planning problems that they have faced. Having their experience greatly benefited me as a student, and I would highly recommend any student considering the ECU Planning program to take a look at how this program sets ECU apart. In particular, I learned from James Rhodes and Merrill Flood, both of whom I had the privilege of working with as a planning consultant after graduating.” – Christopher Normile (Class of 2022)

Lee Padrick (PiR) in the center

Halloween costume contest (Fall 2023) in PLAN1900

“This semester, I am taking a course on Sustainable Cities with Lee Padrick, and it has quickly become one of my favorite classes. Although I have never taken a planning course before, Mr. Padrick makes the subject both interesting and educational. He infuses every lesson with amazing energy, and even in quieter settings, he maintains a lively and optimistic environment that keeps the students engaged. His overwhelming passion inspires us to participate actively in a dynamic learning atmosphere. 

What distinguishes Mr. Padrick as a teacher is his commitment to fostering critical thinking and broadening our perspectives. He goes above and beyond to ensure that we understand the lessons and develop our communication skills, which are essential in any field. Mr. Padrick’s ability to encourage critical thinking and active discussion is a key feature of his teaching style. At the beginning of each class, he introduces a new character or scenario related to the day’s topic. After prompting us to think about the character’s situation and potential outcomes, he invites the class to discuss solutions to the problem. This approach not only piques our curiosity but also challenges us to think critically and independently.

To further enhance our learning experience, Mr. Padrick has recently arranged for guest lecturers. For example, in a recent presentation on Urban Metabolism, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Steven Richter, who provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the environmental and resource flow aspects of cities. Additionally, Mid-East Commission Transportation Director Sam Singleton shared his practical knowledge on how urban planning projects are developed and executed, offering valuable insights into potential career paths. Overall, Mr. Padrick is an exceptional professor due to his dedication to education and his ability to connect classroom theory with real-world applications. His efforts not only expand our knowledge of sustainable cities but also encourage us to be inquisitive, think critically, and address the complex challenges of urban planning.”  – Faith Walker, Junior, Design Major

“My name is Mary Archibald, and I am a recent graduate of East Carolina University. I have recently started working full-time at the Mid-East Commission, assisting with economic development in small towns in Eastern North Carolina. During my time at ECU, I had the pleasure of being taught by our Planner-in-Residence, Merrill Flood, and James Rhodes. Each of these professionals brought a unique perspective to their curriculum while being employed in a planning capacity full-time. While I appreciate our invaluable staff of highly educated professors and teachers, planners-in-residence are able to provide valuable insights through a practitioner’s point of view into the professional world of planning through real world experiences.  

Capstone project presentations

PiRs serve as jurors for students’ capstone project presentations

James Rhodes, project manager and retired assistant county manager in Pitt County, who taught classes in Land Use Planning and Planning Legislation & Administration, taught the crucial aspect of planning from a government and policy perspective. He was great at honing our communication skills, both written and verbal. Much of our class revolved around reading real-world case studies and having engaging discussions around them. He drilled in us the importance of professionalism in writing and how even the little things, such as grammar, can have a large effect on your ability to communicate in a professional capacity. He was also overall an awesome person with a lot of experience who was not afraid to push you and make sure you did your readings.  

Merrill Flood, Director of Millennial Campus Planning and Local Community Affairs, retired Director of Planning and Assistant City Manager of Greenville, was another example of an accomplished professional in the field of planning who made time for students at ECU. Mr. Flood taught arguably the most important classes for our curriculum: Planning Studio and Planning Practicum. These were the capstone classes of the degree and were required to graduate.  They were also the most effort and time-consuming. Mr. Flood was always there to help us with our project and answer any questions we had. He was also great at “keeping it real” about the field, dispelling any misconceptions as well as the hardships he faced throughout his tenure as a planning professional. I was also lucky enough to work with him on my summer research project on affordable housing. I cannot express enough the knowledge he gave me during our time working together. He was very smart, he knew the ins and outs of the subject, and was able to explain them in terms I could understand and comprehend. He is a big picture guy, but does very well at explaining all the moving parts.  

Overall, this Planner-in-Residence program is very valuable, especially in the department of planning. Since it is such a complex, multi-faceted degree and field, having those who work in the world of community development and planning really added to the experience of our educational journeys. Since graduating, I have been able to see the great value that these professionals added to my experience at ECU, and I will always be grateful for their ability to provide practical, real-world experiences as part of classroom instruction.” – Mary Archibald (Class of 2024)

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

  • Full name: Jordan Kearney (Class of 2025)
  • Major: B.S in Community and Regional Planning
  • Minor: Business Administration
  • Hometown: New Bern, North Carolina
  • Interest in Planning & future goals: Transportation Planning – Specifically expanding multimodal transportation infrastructure within our state, for both rural and urbanized counties, as everyone deserves accessible transportation.
  • Favorite thing about the department: I really appreciate the close-knit community that this program has given me. Staff, fellow students, and alumni have all come together to ensure the success of each other, and I feel that I would not be in the place I am now without all of them. I also appreciate the amount of hands-on experience this program gave. I feel that even as a student, I have made an actual impact on the communities surrounding us. I could not have asked for a better family. GO PIRATE PLANNERS! ARGH!
  • LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-kearney-473292251/
  • Jordan Kearney’s Accomplishments and Projects: 

 

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

Jane's Walk flyerJane’s Walk is a global movement of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs, encouraging people to explore and reflect on the places they live. Students in the PLAN 3030: Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning course organize the walk each spring, with this year marking the third annual event.

This year’s theme was “Celebrating Diversity and Culture in Greenville.” The 1.5-hour route, which covers around 2 miles, includes nine stops, featuring mural arts, local businesses, history, the environment, and the town-gown culture.

Tony Parker, a Neighborhood Liaison in the Department of Neighborhood and Business Services, the City of Greenville, NC, served as the jurist for the selection of the Jane’s Walk program and helped promote the event to citizens.

Group photo

Students after hosting the Jane’s Walk.

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

S.M. Hankins Scholarship Kaylie Williams 

Kaylie Williams Established by retired faculty member S. M. Hankins, this competitive award recognizes a student with strong academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to the field of urban and regional planning. The 2025 recipient is Kaylie Williams, a double major in Community and Regional Planning (primary) and Geography (secondary). Kaylie was elected President of SPAN for the 2025–2026 academic year, following her service as Secretary in 2024–2025. She has shown outstanding leadership through roles such as THCAS Representative for ECU’s Student Government Association, Student Leadership Assistant, and Water Collection Specialist for the Community Water Network. Kaylie is also a recipient of the Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship (2024) and the Geography Scholarship (2025). Her professional development includes a 2024 summer internship with the Wilson County government and participation in the 2025 Sustainable Buenos Aires research program with ECU’s Foreign Language Department. She also participated in the 2024 Summer Study Abroad in South Korea.

 

Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship Cooper Hilbert

Cooper HilbertThis year, two students received the Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship: Cooper Hilbert and Caramia Landis. This competitive scholarship is awarded annually to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a strong commitment to the planning profession.

Cooper Hilbert is pursuing dual degrees in Community and Regional Planning and Economics. He served as SPAN President for two consecutive academic years (2023–2025). The biggest accomplishment he achieved during his service was organizing and fundraising for two trips to the National American Planning Association (NPC) conferences in Minneapolis, MN (2024) and Denver, CO (2025), which included nine and 14 students, respectively. The Planning program nominated him for the 2025 Robert H. Wright Leadership Award. During his undergraduate years, Cooper earned multiple scholarships, including the ECU Access Scholarship, Thomas W. Rivers Scholarship, Pirate Navigator Scholarship, Burney and Judy Warren Study Abroad Scholarship, and the S.M. Hankins Scholarship. His professional development is further reflected in his four internships—with Insight Planning & Development (2023), the Town of Windsor (2024), HarvestBeam (2024), and Kimley-Horn (2025). The internship with HarvestBeam was featured in the ECU News.

He also participated in the Summer Study Abroad program in South Korea twice—first as a student in 2023, and again in 2025 as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant.

 

Caramia Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship Caramia Landis

Caramia Landis is the other recipient of the Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship in 2025. As an ECU Brinkley-Lane Scholar, she has shown her strong leadership in various capacities–Honors College Representative, ECU SGA (2025), Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Dare County Workforce Housing Research (2024-2025), Student Leadership Assistant (2023), and Social Media Manager for Voter411. The impact she has made on the students and the community was highlighted in her receiving the 2024 Community Impact Student Award by the North Carolina Campus Engagement.  In the Summer of 2025, she works as an intern with the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability at Duke University. Partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the team develops metrics to assess the effectiveness of nature-based solutions and risk reduction measures. She also participated in the 2024 Summer Study Abroad in South Korea.

 

Yadiel in South Korea Robert E. and Margeryfay R. Cramer Scholarship Yadiel Reyes Cruz 

The Robert E. and Margeryfay R. Cramer Scholarship is awarded by the Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment to support students majoring or minoring in Geography in their participation in study abroad programs.

Yadiel Reyes Cruz recently completed his first year at ECU, majoring in Community and Regional Planning. He has been an active member of SPAN and was elected Vice President for the 2025–2026 academic year. This summer, he participated in the 2025 Summer Study Abroad program in South Korea and is also working with the City of Goldsboro as an ECU Public Service Fellow.

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

Fourteen SPAN members–both undergraduates and graduate students–attended the 2025 National American Planning Association Conference (NPC25) in Denver, Colorado, from March 29 to April 1, 2025. The trip was organized by the SPAN Officers, Cooper Hilbert (President), William Lowery (Vice President), Bryani Pitts (Treasurer), Vanessa Boateng (Social Media Coordinator), and Kaylie Williams (Secretary). We are truly grateful for the generosity of our alumni, friends, and family. A big thanks to the ECU Student Government Association and the UNC Association of Student Governments for the financial support! 

Students who attended the APA Conference in Denver, CO., were Vanessa Boateng, Catherine Gailey, Caramia Landis, Kaylie Williams, Will Lowery, Yadiel Reyes Cruz, Rose Bogue, Reese Frazier, Lauryn Strothers, Bryani Pitts, Cooper Hilbert, Jordan Kearney, Kylie Tannenbaum, and Sam McCormack.
Below is a collection of the students’ LinkedIn posts.

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

Katherine Shearin, a senior undergraduate double majoring in BS in Multidisciplinary Studies with Environmental Studies Concentration and Community and Regional Planning, completed an internship program with the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization (OIBSTPO). The OIBSTPO is a nonprofit environmental conservation organization dedicated to monitoring and protecting the sea turtle population on the island. This organization also prides itself on its commitment to educating the community and tourists on the cultural and environmental importance of sea turtles on Ocean Isle Beach. 

“Starting in early May, the organization begins preparing for the sea turtle laying and hatching season on the island, which continues through September. I spent the summer (early May through early August) as an intern for the organization and gained extensive knowledge in sea turtle conservation, island geography and characteristics, community engagement, and the ins and outs of operating a nonprofit organization. Some of my biggest takeaways from this internship include community engagement skills, teamwork skills, leadership skills, and experience working with a nonprofit.”

“One of the most unique and rewarding tasks I had during my internship was the release of a sea turtle hatchling. Toward the end of my time with the organization, a hatchling washed back up on the beach after venturing into the ocean. The team decided it would be best to re-release the hatchling at a different spot, where the currents could help guide it safely back into the ocean. I was given the responsibility of overseeing the release, and it was an incredible experience that further solidified my passion for sea turtle conservation.”

“Turtle Talks are the organization’s primary opportunity for community engagement and education. These sessions provide an opportunity for community members and tourists to learn about our organization and about Ocean Isle’s sea turtle population. During these talks, I had the opportunity to interact with and educate attendees on sea turtles, deepening my connection with the community. It also allowed me to get to know many people and helped me to understand the community more. Additionally, I learned a great deal from these talks, which helped me become more knowledgeable on the specifics of Ocean Isle’s sea turtle population and the conservation efforts of the organization. I was also surprised to discover that many visitors plan their trips to Ocean Isle Beach with the hope of witnessing a sea turtle or a turtle hatching. This emphasized the importance of the organization’s work in protecting these creatures.”

“My internship with the OIBSTPO provided me a unique opportunity to integrate my two majors of Environmental Studies and Community & Regional Planning by combining environmental conservation with community engagement and planning related tasks. It allowed me to interact with, work alongside, and learn from a diverse group of people, each with different leadership and work styles for completing tasks. I found that these differences helped to shape my own approach to teamwork and problem solving. All the people I worked with were incredible mentors for me.

One of the most significant parts of my internship was engaging with the community and tourists of Ocean Isle Beach. It was fascinating to meet residents, long time visitors, and first-time tourists. As an intern for the OIBSTPO, I often found myself acting as a representative of the community. Many people would identify OIBSTPO personnel by our presence on the beach and many approach us with questions. I gained valuable experience in how to engage with people effectively, provide clear answers, and on occasion, deescalate tense situations.

This internship was a rewarding experience that allowed me to fully immerse myself in the work I am passionate about. I developed a strong passion and deep sense of dedication to the work I did and the community I worked for. To succeed, it takes a lot of time and dedication. However, I would not trade this experience for any other.”

– Sections borrowed from Katherine Shearin’s internship reflection report, submitted for PLAN3038: Planning Internship (Fall 2024)

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

  • Full name: Laura Carolina Wisecup (Class of 2025)
  • Degrees: Master of Science in Planning and Development with Urban and Community Planning concentration. ECU (Fall 2024), B.S. in Urban Planning, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
  • Hometown:Caracas, Venezuela
  • Current employment position: Planner at SSFM International, Honolulu, HI
  • Planning interests: My passion lies in improving the quality of life in communities by planning for better transportation systems, fostering environmental sustainability, creating economic opportunities, and planning for cities that are inclusive and just. I also have a particular interest in transportation planning, with a focus on promoting sustainable mobility alternatives such as pedestrian, bicycle, and transit systems.
  • LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urbmartinezmontilva/

Community and Regional Planning Program: Posts

  • Full name: David Miller (Class of 2025)
  • Degrees: Master of Science in Planning and Development with Urban and Community Planning concentration (Fall 2024), Master of Library Science (East Carolina University, Class of 2011), Bachelor of Arts (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Class of 2008)
  • Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Current employment position: Transportation Planner at Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • Planning interests:  I have an interest in using both urban design and transportation planning to help make city and community environments more walkable, multimodal, sustainable, equitable, and adaptable to climate change.
  • LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-robert-miller/