Profiles

MEET RACHEL OSCAR (MUPD '17)

Degrees:

• Master of Urban Planning and Development, Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs – Cleveland State University
• Bachelors of Arts in History, Kenyon College

When did you graduate?
2017

Where are you currently residing?
Cleveland, OH

Where are you from?
Shaker Heights, OH

Current Employment:
Position/Place of Employment: Director of Programming and Community Engagement, Campus District, Inc., (CDI)

Campus District, Inc. is a non-profit, community development corporation (CDC), representing the eastern edge of Downtown Cleveland from E. 18th to E. 30th, north to the lake and south to Orange Ave (this includes CSU!). We are physically located in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs building and partner with the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs and Cleveland State on a number of initiatives.

As the Director of Programming and Community Engagement, I work to build programming that improves the way our stakeholders experience the District and create connections between members of our community who probably wouldn't otherwise meet. A good example of this is the Bridge that Bridges--a community building and mural project that brings a cohort of fifteen stakeholders together to learn about race and equity in our neighborhood and then design a mural inspired by their shared experiences and conversations. The Bridge that Bridges is located at E. 22^nd Street and Cedar Avenue.

How did your experience at Levin influence your career path?
My time at Levin greatly influenced my career path! My first experience with the Campus District Inc. was in Dr. Dennis Keating's "Neighborhood Planning" class. Our class was employed to do an assessment of the northern side of the District. At the close of the class, I continued to do small projects for CDI and was eventually hired for my current position.

What is your favorite Levin memory?
My favorite Levin memories are of the Cleveland State University American Planning Association (APA) Urban Excursions. Twice a year, the CSU chapter of APA would travel to a nearby rust belt city and explore for a full weekend. We met members of local CDCs, planning departments, and counterparts at universities like Wayne State and the University of Cincinnati. Nothing beats exploring a city with other planners--you can have the most insightful conversations without ever stepping foot into a building.

What piece of advice do you have for current Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs graduate students?
I would encourage Levin students to take advantage of everything Levin has to offer, inside and outside of the classroom. Go on an APA Urban Excursion, attend a Levin Forum, take a class at the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative down the street, become a Graduate Assistant, participate in ULI, or take a Jane Walk (free, citizen-led walking conversations) in a new neighborhood.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned at Levin?
Every building, sidewalk, public art work, bush, tree, bus route, awning, highway, etc. is where it is because of a series of decisions people made. I learned that the results are always better when the decision-makers are also the ones being impacted by the decision.

What issues are you passionate about?
I am passionate about building a more equitable Cleveland and creating the space to have difficult conversations about race and equity in our community.