Guest Speaker Series

In collaboration with the Urban Planning Students of Northridge (UPSN) the Guest Speaker Series invites seasoned practitioners. This series bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application offering students a platform for networking, mentorship, and inspiration. Through these sessions, students are exposed to a variety of perspectives equipping them with the insights and tools needed to navigate their future careers in urban planning.
 

Philip Hirrel (MUP '21), Sustainability Assistant Analyst at City of Thousand Oaks gave a guest lecture for URBS 415 The California Environmental Quality Act for Urban Planners.

Alan Salazar, traditional storyteller, Native educator, spiritual advisor and tribal Elder in both the Fernandeño Tataviam and Ventureño Chumash tribes. Gave a guest lecture on “Native Story Telling” for URBS 150 Discover the City.

Felipe Escobar, Network Manager for the South LA Eco-Lab grant at Community Partners gave a guest lecture for URBS 150 Discover the City.

Jeannine Marie Pearce, Graduate Student Researcher at UC Irvine gave a guest lecture on “City of Long Beach Sustainability and Climate Action plans” for URBS 400 Planning for the Natural and Built Environment.

Julia Samaniego, member of the Tataviam tribe and Assistant Nursery Manager at Wallis Anneburg Wildlife Crossing Project Nursery gave a guest lecture on “Milkweed Cordage” for URBS 150 Discover the City.

Ed Reyes, Former Los Angeles City Councilman gave a guest lecture on “Challenging Land Use Policy Why?” for URBS 300 Planning Theory.

Jonathan Pacheco Bell, VP of Policy and Programs at Casita Coalition gave a guest lecture on “Embedded Planning” for URBS 300 Planning Theory.

Andy Rodriguez (URBS '10), Senior City Planner at City of Los Angeles gave a guest lecture for URBS 620 Seminar in Comprehensive Planning.

Quetzalli Enrique (URBS '19), City Planning Associate at City of Los Angeles gave a guest lecture for URBS 620 Seminar in Comprehensive Planning.

Linda Mendez (URBS '18), Rail Program Manager at Caltrans District 7 gave a guest lecture on “Caltrans” for URBS 480 Urban Transportation Planning.

Susan Painter, Principal at ForrestPainter Design gave a guest lecture on “The Experience of Place” for URBS 150 Discover the City.

Jaymes Dunsmore, Mobility & Transportation Leader and Senior Associate at Gensler gave a guest lecture on “Gensler” for URBS 400 Planning for the Natural and Built Environment.

Mona Lewis, Director of Waldorf Training at Sunsprite Handwork gave a guest lecture on “Sunsprite art with earth pigments” for URBS 150 Discover the City.

Roxan Rivas, Planning Director at Pacoima Beautiful gave a guest lecture for URBS 440 Community-Based Urban Design and URBS 630 Sustainable Development & Environmental Impact Analysis. 

Chris Parker, CEO of Pacific Crest Consultants gave a guest lecture for URBS 460 Legal Foundations of Planning.

Dennis Garcia, Tribal Elder and Chairman of the Elders Council for the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians gave a guest lecture on “Native Storytelling” for URBS 150 Discover the City. 

Alexys Romo, Founder of Black Thumb Farm gave a guest lecture on “Seed Saving and Seed Sovereignty” for URBS 150 Discover the City. 

Nicole Kuklok Waldman, President of Collaborate LA gave a guest lecture for URBS 460 Legal Foundations of Planning. 

Conae Seeney, Transportation Planner at LA Metro gave a guest lecture on “LA Metro” for URBS 150 Discover the City, URBS 206 Introduction to Graphic Communication Tools, and the UPSN club. 

André Villaseñor, Environmental Protection Specialist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave a guest lecture on “Vehicular Source Reduct ion: A Zero Waste Approach to Transportation” URBS 150 Discover the City and URBS 350 Cities of the Developing World. 

Paul Whang, Coordinator II Hydrogen Projects and Clean Energy Initiatives at City of Lancaster gave a guest lecture for URBS 630 Sustainable Development & Environmental Impact Analysis. 

Diana Benitez, Senior Community Development Planner at Canal Alliance gave a guest lecture for URBS 340A Quantitative Urban Research Methods, URBS 450 Senior Seminar in Urban Studies & Planning, and the UPSN club.

Fred Gaines, Attorney at Gaines & Stacey LLP gave a guest lecture for URBS 660 Planning Law. 

Felipe Escobar, Network Manager for the South LA Eco-Lab grant at Community Partners gave a guest lecture for URBS 150 Discover the City. 

Karina Ceja, Celebrating Words Festival Producer at Tia Chucha’s gave a guest lecture for URBS 150 Discover the City. 

Mariana Moron, Chief Operation Officer for the LULAC National Educat ional Service Centers, Inc gave a guest lecture on “Peace Corps” for URBS 150 Discover the City. 

Andre Villasenor, Sustainability Coordinator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Southern California Office gave a guest lecture on “How to Drive Vehicular Source Reduction” for URBS 150 Discover the City. 

Vilma Haass, Public Health Researcher gave a guest lecture on “Public Health” for URBS 310 Growth and Sustainable Development of Cities.

Jaymes Dunsmore, Mobility Lab Leader at GENSLER gave a guest lecture on “GENSLER” for URBS 400 Planning for the Natural and Built Environment. 

Priyanka Agarwal, Urban Planner and Program Manager at GENSLER gave a guest lecture on “GENSLER” for URBS 400 Planning for the Natural and Built Environment. 

Roxan Rivas, Planning Director at Pacoima Beautiful gave a guest lecture on “Community Driven Planning + Grassroots Organizing in Pacoima” for the UPSN club. 

Michael Samulon, Deputy Director of Electrification for the City of Los Angles gave a guest lecture on “LA’s Green New Deal” for URBS 400 Planning for the Natural and Built Environment. 

Neel Kasliwal, Environmental Planner for the CA Department of Conservation gave a guest lecture on “Transformative Climate Communities” for URBS 415 The California Environmental Quality Act for Urban Planners.