SRC Regional Representative — Region VI

Matthew Stafford

mattwstafford@gmail.com

Current Academic Level and expected graduation date:
Third year undergraduate student in the Urban and Regional Planning program at Cal Poly Pomona

Please list and describe briefly relevant leadership positions held at the local, regional, state, or national level.

Since my freshman year at Cal Poly Pomona I have been heavily involved in planning organizations with leadership roles.

-First-year representative for American Planning Student Association (officially recognized Planning Student Organization); served on the Executive Board and attended Los Angeles Section APA meetings with the APSA President.

-Currently serving as the elected student senator for the College of Environmental Design. I interact with the Dean of the college, Michael Woo and helped the student clubs in the college host the first annual ENV Conference. I advocate on behalf of Environmental Design students at the university wide level and inform them of important changes to campus policies as well as opportunities for involvement.

Please list and describe briefly any relevant planning-related volunteer positions held at the local, regional, state, or national level.

-Volunteer Intern with Move LA, a regional non-profit organization advocating for increased investment in mass transit (Origin of the now nationally known 30/10 initiative). I have helped provide a constant source of volunteers from Cal Poly Pomona for the major fundraising efforts of the organization. The APA-LA is one of the non-profit’s many sponsors.

Please describe your involvement in planning-related activities (community, nonprofit, planning student organizations, etc.):

-Member of the University Parking and Transportation Committee. Issues being discussed include bicycle sharing programs, pedestrian circulation on campus, and better coordination with regional transit agencies.

-Chair of the University Bike Week Planning Committee. I work with Cycling Club, Green Team, Bust out of the Bubble, American Planning Student Association, the Center for Regenerative Studies, the University Rideshare Department, and the City of Pomona Public Works department to program activities for the annual Bike Week event at Cal Poly Pomona.

-Member of American Planning Student Association. I continue to volunteer and stay heavily involved in the student club. Although I am not a part of the Executive Board this year, they continue to invite me to attend their meetings in an advisory role.

About APA and Planning

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

The education I receive outside of the classroom is extremely important. My APA student membership has allowed me to stay up to date with planning issue through publications. Also, I have gained a greater understanding of the profession by attending the California APA conference this past fall in Carlsbad, CA.  I also regularly visit the website to read articles and I treasure my collection of APA magazines.

Describe your qualifications for the SRC Regional Representative.

I am dedicated to the planning profession and feel great pride in representing students and inspiring them to get involved in planning activities as well.  I have been able to organize volunteer opportunities for urban planning students at Cal Poly Pomona on many occasions.

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

Given the current economic conditions, the career outlook is poor for graduating planners. However, I believe the APA can take an active role in encouraging and engaging these student planners. More events could be held that would include practicing planners with advice for students as they set out on their career path. Networking opportunities are also very important and although they may not lead to jobs immediately, it is a good way of staying engaged in the planning profession during the down economy.

Why did you choose planning as a career path?

I have lived in Southern California my entire life and experienced firsthand the rapid change and problems many communities faced. Traffic worsened, smog persisted, and many people were leaving for other states because of the deterioration of the quality of life. As a high school student I took an active role in my community to make a positive impact. I would show up to council meetings and one day went to a community visioning workshop with city planners. I was so inspired by the work they were doing in my hometown that I researched their profession much more extensively. Since then I have never lost my motivation, curiosity, and persistence in pursuit of a planning degree. Planning is not just a job or degree for me. It is also my hobby and I know that even if I don’t make lots of money that I will be satisfied with my career choice.

What have you learned from previous leadership experience?

Cal Poly Pomona has afforded me many opportunities to serve as a student leader and the experiences I have gained are invaluable. As the elected College of Environmental Design senator I have learned how to navigate large bureaucracies to effectively represent my constituencies and accomplish the goals I set out to complete when I was campaigning for the position. I have learned a great deal as a leader and feel I am the right candidate to take on the role of APA Student Representative for Region VI.