For SRC Regional Representative Elected from Region IV

Jeremy S. Endsley

University of Iowa Urban and Regional Planning
Current Academic Level/Expected graduation date: First year, May 2013
Jeremy-endsley@iowa.edu

Leadership, Volunteer, and Planning-related Experience

Neighborhood Services and Public Art Intern (2012-present)
City of Iowa City, IA

• Assisted with implementing Iowa City's Poetry in Public Program
• Event coordinator. Marketing and public relations. Web design. Managing social media. Assisting community organizations with grant applications. Policy research.
• Assisting with updating program web sites and media archives.   

Treasurer (2011-present)
Summit House, River City Housing Collective, Iowa City IA

• Monitored and collected funds for house activities.
• Kept payments for house accounts up to date.

Education and Culture Committee Co-Chair (2011)
River City Housing Collective, Iowa City IA

• Planned recreational events, skill-shares, and fundraisers.
• Researched workshop topics and solicited guest speakers.

Water Quality Intern (2009)
University of Iowa Lakeside Lab, Milford IA

• Led tours of the facility, trained volunteers, and presented classes.
• Assisted with a water quality monitoring program.
• Tested nitrogen and phosphorus levels in water samples.
• Field sampling and data collection. Data entry and analysis.

Secretary – Interclub Council (2004)
Sacramento City College, Sacramento CA

• Recorded and distributed minutes for council meetings.

President – GLBT Club (2002)
Sacramento City College, Sacramento CA

• Planned meetings, events, and fundraisers.
• Organized a trip to a national conference.

About APA and Planning

Describe how you have benefited from APA student membership to date.

One benefit I received as a result of my APA student membership was the opportunity to attend the 2011 Upper Midwest APA conference. The guest lecturers were informative and the workshops geared towards planning students gave me a valuable peek into the profession and the many hats practicing planners wear, as well as how to prepare for my job search. I've also appreciated receiving Planning magazine, which has kept me connected and informed on current planning issues and innovations.

Describe your qualifications for the SRC Regional Representative position.

I strive to be a good listener and to build rapport, enabling collaboration and knowledge sharing. On the other hand, I recognize that communicating clearly is a key skill that enables my participation in public discourse, so I am also constantly challenging myself to be a better speaker. I am highly organized and responsive.

How can APA and its student leaders assist planning students as they transition into planning careers?

Beginning a new career can be very daunting and I think the APA does a fantastic job of on-boarding new student planners. I hope to work with the association's membership to streamline and promote the mentorship program, making it easier for new planners to benefit from the APA's large base of experienced planners.

Why did you choose planning as a career path?

I chose planning as a career because it offers a rich toolbox with which to approach the many problems our society is facing. Having experienced a family member's homelessness, I recognize that mobilizing a community's resources requires considering alternative perspectives. Also inspired by my undergrad in ecology, I hope to aid coalition-building in the environmental arena.

What have you learned from previous leadership experience?

From experiences in the past, I've learned that openness and patience builds personal and group confidence and enables a team to reach their goals.