Sahari Walker – recent Master of Science in Planning (MSP) graduate – just accepted a job offer to work at the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
The FDEM prepares for and responds to natural and man-made disasters, ranging from floods and hurricanes to hazardous materials incidents and nuclear power accidents. and stable housing, as well as contributing to long-term recovery planning. Her work will focus on rebuilding efforts and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary assistance to recover and thrive.
“My time at Florida State University has been instrumental in preparing me for the next step in my career with the Florida Division of Emergency Management,” Walker said. “Through the Master of Science in Planning program, I gained technical skills in urban planning but also a deep understanding of the importance of community-based approaches to problem-solving.”
Walker is a first-generation college student and a two-time FSU graduate. In 2023, she earned a dual degree in political science and criminal justice, with minors in urban planning and hospitality and management. This past semester, Walker graduated with her MSP and was honored by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning with the Edward McClure Award for Academic Excellence for her high GPA. She was also nominated for American Planning Association (APA) Florida’s Student of the Year award.
During graduate school, Walker focused on community-led planning and development. She served as the project manager for a studio course in partnership with Hillsborough County, updating its comprehensive plan with a focus on sustainable growth and community needs. Walker also led public engagement efforts in Tallahassee and Leon County on pedestrian safety and housing strategies for marginalized homeowners.
Walker also contributes to the North Star Legacy Project as a teaching assistant, supporting EPA-funded research on gentrification in brownfield communities, and works to improve rural maternal health through the FSU College of Medicine. Her efforts earned her the André Anderson Minority Scholarship from the American Planning Association and another scholarship from the Commercial Real Estate Women Orlando.
When asked about her most impactful experience at FSU, Walker recounted her experience as a Community Outreach Lead on a project with the City of Tallahassee. While in this role, Walker worked closely with a neighborhood facing serious safety and mobility issues, helping residents share their concerns directly with city planners.
Walker said the project not only gave voice to an unheard community but also shone a light on the role of planners in bridging the gap between residents and government. “Some recounted heartbreaking incidents of children being hit, and even killed, due to drivers speeding through the neighborhood … [But] everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood,” Walker said.
After graduation, this double FSU graduate (B.S. ’23 in Political Science and Criminal Justice, with minors in Urban Planning and Hospitality and Management) will step into the role of State Disaster Housing Coordinator with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, where she will help strengthen and support communities in times of crisis.
To learn more about each of Walker’s programs, click the following links: Master of Science in Planning, Political Science, and Criminal Justice.