Diversity

The objective of the Diversity Committee is to coordinate Section activities to meet diversity goals, educate members to better serve diverse communities, and align Section membership diversity with California’s demographic trends.

Ambassador Program

Northern Section’s Ambassador Program is a hybrid of the National APA’s program that provides information to universities students about careers in Planning and InterPlan program by Urban Land Institute that conducts 3-week course in high schools where students go through a exercise involving responding to an RFP for development of a depressed area.

The project goal is to promote understanding of planning processes among high school students by conducting informational sessions on careers in planning. The program is intended to increase section diversity and intergenerational mentorship while raising the profile of the planning profession across the Bay Area’s schools.

The Diversity Committee intends develop a pool of experienced Planning professional who can volunteer their time to talk about the Planning field and provide information to high school students about potential careers in the Planning field. In addition, The Committee will develop a pool of high school counselors who would work with the Section and provide logistical support.

Past events include participation in Emeryville High School’s “Conversations with Professionals” where four planners talked with group of students.

Ways to get involved

We are seeking professionals with an interest in talking to high school students about the Planning profession, academic and career opportunities. Please email Miroo Desai at mdesai@emeryville.org if you are interested in participating in the Ambassador program or finding out more information. We are also looking for contacts with high school counselors in the Bay area who would be interested in participating in the Ambassador program.