Star Brantley

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Do you have minors or areas of emphases?  Public Administration, Sociology

Please share your career goal(s). Bridging public administration with aesthetic awareness that will contribute to the public good.

Hobbies/interest: Crafting, Live music

Clubs and organizations: SPAN

Dream job: Urban Designer of Transformative Development

Role Model: Amanda Burden New York City Urban Planner

What has been your favorite part of Pirate Planning program? The thrill of learning from an area in North Carolina that is setting the pace for Urban Development and growth. I feel like being a part of East Carolinas accredited program is an active plus being one of the only planning programs accredited by the APA and I feel the program is pouring a plethora of resources into the students to make sure we shine.

Other stories you want to share with others such as, your internship, study abroad, research, community engagement, or other involvements at ECU?  Venturing into the decision to study urban planning after about a 10-year tenure of working in a completely unrelated industry (television and entertainment), my time spent in major cities across the US-led way to a subliminal burning passion to know what makes these megacities feel great.  I questioned, what allows a neighborhood to give off an unmatched vibe that allows one to take pride and nurture their community, and in these journeys of living between Los Angeles, to Washington DC, and short term projects in New York, it opened my eyes into the world of planning and a desire to learn and contribute to having a hand in making the future city I call home the best place, with adoring elements that would make the overall community proud.  My dream then became to be a part of working with  “the best cities and communities on earth”.  Herein, my passion to pursue city planning was born and the city I have chosen to plant my roots in planning was the very city I took my first breath, our lovely North Carolina capital, Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. I feel the Raleigh metro has an amazing structure for growth and am super excited for the future of our centrally located capital. I feel the education and tools I am being equipped with now at East Carolina will prepare me to walk headstrong into contributing to city communities that are sustainable and aesthetic pleasing for years to come.