SRC Regional Representative — Region II

Heather Morris

heatherlmorris@gmail.com

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of City and Regional Planning
• First-year graduate student, expected graduation, May 2012
• Specialization in Real Estate Development and Design

Leadership Experience, Volunteer Positions and Planning Related Activities

• Student Admissions Officer, UNC Department of City and Regional Planning

Serve as Chair of Admissions Committee and coordinator of Open House for admitted students. Act as a representative of the program for prospective students.

• Federal Lobbyist and Government Affairs Manager for national design profession association

Advocated before state and federal legislators on issues including sustainable communities, park funding, air and water quality, and transportation.

• Volunteer coordinator of environmental health and justice lobby day for farm workers

Trained participants on effective communication and advocacy techniques

• Conducted background research for sustainable development certification program
• Wrote monthly article for a national design magazine
• Active and contributing student member in organizations including APA, United States Green Building Council, and American Society of Landscape Architects

About APA and Planning   

Describe how you have benefited from APA student membership to date

Although the classroom is the foundation of any planning education, I firmly believe that interaction with professionals and fellow students at national and state level APA events helps me to expand my familiarity with current planning issues, makes me more well rounded and prepares me for my future work in planning. I attended the NC APA meeting last September and went to a national APA conference several years ago and found the experience to be invaluable. I am looking forward to the conference in Boston this April. The professionals that I met at these events have served as mentors to me, providing real-world expertise and guidance. In addition, the education sessions at these conferences strengthen my passion for the diverse topics covered in planning.

Describe your qualifications for the SRC Regional Representative

Prior to graduate school, I served as a lobbyist and grassroots coordinator in Washington DC, working with a wide variety of stakeholders in order to increase visibility and support of critical issues before Congress and state legislatures. Through effective communication, organization, and most importantly, by listening to others, I was able to successfully achieve policy changes on issues including stormwater quality, preservation of historic landscapes and safe routes to schools. This experience makes me well qualified to serve as a representative and advocate for students in Region II.

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

In a difficult economic environment like the one we are currently experiencing, practitioners play an important role in providing guidance for students preparing for a job in planning. As students, we should also recognize the important role that we play in the planning world, providing fresh ideas and a new outlook. I will work with the APA leadership to develop additional mentor programs between students and local planning professionals. These relationships become far more valuable than job placement services, creating an exchange of ideas and serving as a source of innovation in the planning field.

Additionally, planning student organizations (PSOs), provide a forum for students to learn more about opportunities available through the American Planning Association. The wealth of resources is only beneficial if they are widely known. I will work to increase levels of communication in order to create awareness of the opportunities available. Beyond traditional communication channels such as monthly newsletters and emails, I will work to incorporate the use of options such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Why did you choose planning as a career path?

Through their unique educational background, planners serve as leaders in sustainability, bringing together a variety of professions to achieve the shared goals of environmental stewardship, social equity and economic efficiency. In their role, planners serve as advocates, plan makers, and implementers. I can think of no other career that provides this crucial and important opportunity to bring people together in order to achieve a shared goal. From green buildings, to interconnected transportation options, to regional green job programs providing workforce training in renewable energy, planners are at the nexus of sustainability. I want to work with state legislators and decision makers to establish policies that promote sustainable development by working to harmonize existing policies, regional realities, and economic and business markets.

What have you learned from previous leadership experience?

One of the most important roles for a leader is to allow and encourage group members to showcase their strengths. I believe that through good leadership, the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts. In addition, my previous leadership positions have taught me that I have something to learn from every experience and that passion for a cause is often a universal language.