Mazi Rhodes, AICP – a two-time FSU COSSPP alumnus (B.S. International Affairs ’20, Master of Science in Planning ’22) – is joining the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) this month as a Freight & Rail Planner.
As a Freight & Rail Planner with FDOT, Rhodes will analyze data, contribute to system plans, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support statewide multimodal freight and rail planning. He will help advance key projects, including the Freight Mobility and Trade Plan, the Rail System Plan, and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), through technical analysis and innovation.
“I’m excited to step into a role that allows me to work at the intersection of freight, rail, and statewide planning. This opportunity gives me the chance to take on more leadership in shaping infrastructure decisions that have a real impact on Florida’s economy and mobility,” Rhodes said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful, large-scale transportation initiatives.”
Rhodes earned his AICP certification in April 2024, just two years after completing his master’s degree. The certification, awarded by the American Institute of Certified Planners, is a nationally recognized credential that distinguishes planners who have met rigorous professional experience and examination standards, making Rhodes one of the younger professionals in the field to achieve it.
At FSU, Rhodes studied Urban and Regional Planning, with a focus on transportation systems and long-range planning. During his master’s program, he developed expertise in multimodal transportation planning, project prioritization, and the analysis of regional infrastructure networks, examining how transportation policies and planning decisions impact communities.
“The specialization within my graduate degree most directly influenced my career goals. I chose Transportation Planning as my focus, and that decision has shaped my professional path and opportunities,” Rhodes said. “It provided me with the technical expertise, analytical skills, and real-world perspective necessary to succeed in the field. My livelihood and career trajectory are a direct result of this choice, and it continues to guide my professional growth and future aspirations.”
While at FSU, Rhodes worked closely with several faculty members, including John Felkner, DDes, MA; Samuel Staley, Ph.D.; and Dennis Smith, FAICP, and expressed his immense gratitude for their mentorship and encouragement.
“Professors Felkner and Staley were instrumental during my senior undergraduate year, encouraging me to apply to the graduate program in Urban and Regional Planning — a decision that shaped my entire career path,” Rhodes said. “Their guidance and belief in my potential gave me the confidence to pursue planning professionally. Professor Dennis Smith has had an especially meaningful impact. Beyond being my favorite professor, he has become a mentor and friend, consistently offering advice, encouragement, and opportunities to represent FSU.”
Prior to his new role with FDOT, Rhodes worked as a Transportation Planner with CDM Smith, providing in-house consulting support for the FDOT Systems Implementation Office. In addition, he presented two sessions at the Florida APA Conference in Daytona Beach in 2025 and guest-lectured for Professor Karina Amalbert in her Sustainability in Planning course, as well as for Professors John Felkner and Dennis Smith.
“These experiences matter to me because they reflect the culmination of my academic training at FSU, my professional growth, and my ability to contribute meaningfully to both the planning community and the next generation of planners,” Rhodes said.
For more information about the Department of Urban & Regional Planning, visit cosspp.fsu.edu/durp.