COSSPP Student Spotlight: Melbin Joseph

Melbin Theresa Joseph – a second-year Master’s student majoring in Urban and Regional Planning with a specialization in Economic Development and Real Estate – began a planning internship with Tallahassee’s Office of the Mayor in Spring 2024.  

Melbin Joseph Headshot
Melbin Joseph

Joseph is involved in planning the Bicentennial Park Project commemorating Tallahassee’s 200th Anniversary through the creation of a new park near City Hall. Joseph’s position grants her the opportunity to collaborate with the Tallahassee Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) to support economic mobility and entrepreneurship while promoting sustainability. 

“My internship at the Mayor’s office has been my greatest opportunity during my graduate study at FSU,” Joseph said. “What excites me most is that the project encompasses elements of both design and planning and allows me to collaborate with people from different fields with a true passion for community well-being.” 

Joseph received a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Her passion for equitable land development fueled her decision to pursue a Master of Science in Planning (MSP) at Florida State and become involved in the community.  

In 2023, Joseph completed an internship at Tallahassee Lender’s Consortium, which gave her hands-on experience with community engagement practices as well as cultural nuances in the planning process.  

She highlighted that her academic experiences have helped her gain new cultural perspectives and recognize the importance of a humanistic approach to planning solutions.  

“My educational experience has been very effective while at FSU, with an abundant source of academic resources,” Joseph said. “As I aspire to pursue my career as a planner I would look back to my professors at FSU, who are a great source of knowledge and guidance.” 

Joseph will graduate in Spring 2024 and plans to continue her career path in urban planning.  

For more information about FSU’s MSP program, visit coss.fsu.edu/durp/masters-program