What department are you a graduate student in?  

I am a PhD. candidate in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP).

Why did you decide to go to graduate school? 

Working as a practicing planner for the Florida Department of Transportation, I felt that I had many questions concerning transportation options for older non-driving adults that I could not find answers to. In addition, I had kept in contact with my major professor from my master’s degree, and he ultimately inspired me to seek re-admission to FSU to obtain a doctoral degree in planning.   

Did your interests change throughout your program? 

No not really. My research interests have always involved older adults’ mobility. Such as how we can create environments where people can remain in their homes and communities as they age, and transportation’s role in this.   

What do you want to do with your advanced degree?

My primary goal is to be able to continue working with questions related to improving transportation for all ages and abilities, with a goal of reducing car-dependency. Whether that will be in an academic, private, or government sector, I have not yet decided.