Department of Urban and Regional Planning News

DURP offers students the flexibility to develop a self-designed specialization from the vast field of planning. We pride ourselves on our strong record of placing graduates in rewarding jobs in a variety of public, private, and non-profit organizations in more than 40 states and two dozen countries. Our graduates plan locally and globally, and everywhere in between.

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COSSPP Announces 2026 Faculty Research, Teaching, Service Award Recipients

Published: April 30, 2026 | 10:23 am | Posted in: Faculty/Staff, News

COSSPP Announces 2026 Faculty Research, Teaching, and Service Award Recipients. From top left to bottom right: Ziqi Li, Matt Brooks, Carlisle Rainey, Keon-Hyung Lee, Katie Sherron, Alexandra Cockerham, John Reynolds, Meaghan McSorley, Simona Andrei, John Felkner.

The College of Social Sciences and Public Policy has announced its 2026 Faculty Research, Teaching, and Service Award recipients.

FSU’s Department of Urban & Regional Planning Engages Students Through Cooperative Internships Program

Published: April 28, 2026 | 12:08 pm | Posted in: News, Research That Works, Students

Florida State University’s Department of Urban & Regional Planning (DURP) provides students with real-world experience through its Cooperative Internships Program, which allows master’s students to work in professional planning positions for both private and public sectors.

Alumni Spotlight: Mazi Rhodes

Published: April 21, 2026 | 12:10 pm | Posted in: Alumni News, News

Mazi Rhodes B.S. International Affairs ’20 Master of Science in Planning ‘22

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.

COSSPP’s Student Leadership Council Hosts 12th Annual Agree to Disagree

Published: April 13, 2026 | 3:38 pm | Posted in: Alumni News, News, Students

On the left are four photos: the Mayor of Tallahassee, John Dailey, smiling at a podium, SLC students talking, A broad photo of the room full of students at tables, and SLC Chair, Jordan Brown, speaking at a podium. On the right is text: FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy: COSSPP’s Student Leadership Council Hosts 12th Annual Agree to Disagree

FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Student Leadership Council (COSSPP SLC), in collaboration with the Civic Engagement Board, hosted the 12th Annual Agree to Disagree event on Monday, March 2.

Department of Urban & Regional Planning Celebrates 60 Years of Excellence

Published: April 13, 2026 | 2:11 pm | Posted in: Alumni News, Faculty/Staff, Students, Uncategorized

The Department of Urban & Regional Planning celebrated a major milestone in its development with the celebration of its 60th anniversary from March 27th through the 28th, honoring the alumni, faculty, staff, and students who have contributed to its longstanding success.

COSSPP Earns Top Marks in Public Affairs in 2026 U.S. News & World Report Graduate School Rankings

Published: April 7, 2026 | 3:28 pm | Posted in: News

Picture of fountain on Landis Green, facing Landis Hall. Words say "Florida State Univesity Best Graduate Schools U.S. News & World Report, 2026"

Graduate programs within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy have earned national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 edition of Best Graduate Schools, released April 7. COSSPP’s specialty in leadership ranked No. 16 overall and No. 10 among public universities, while the specialty in local government management ranked No. 21 overall […]

DURP Planner in Residence and Prominent Alumnus Elected to College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners

Published: April 6, 2026 | 2:31 pm | Posted in: Alumni News, Faculty/Staff, News

DURP Planner in Residence & Prominent FSU Alumnus Elected to College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners: Dennis Smith, FAICP and Wiatt Bowers, FAICP

FSU’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s Planner in Residence Dennis Smith, FAICP, and prominent alumnus Wyatt Bowers, FAICP, were elected into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP) Class of 2026. Joining Smith is fellow honoree and FSU alumnus Wiatt Bowers, who was also elected to the FAICP Class of 2026 on February 27th.

COSSPP Celebrates 2025-2026 Distinguished Alumni at Annual Gala

Published: April 6, 2026 | 2:27 pm | Posted in: Uncategorized

COSSPP Honors 2025-2026 Distinguished Alumni

The Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) officially recognized its newest class of Distinguished Alumni during a celebratory gala held on March 26, 2026.

Join Us for a Fireside Chat with Dr. Richard Sandor April 9, 2026

Published: March 31, 2026 | 11:19 pm | Posted in: News

The fireside chat will highlight Dr. Richard Sandor’s latest book, Carbon Hunters: Reflections and Forecasts of Climate Markets in the 21st Century (World Scientific, October 2025), which explores the development and future of global carbon markets. In addition, the fireside chat will explore Dr. Sandor’s work in derivatives and carbon trading before an open session for audience questions. Dr. Sandor is CEO of Environmental Financial Products, which was the incubator to the Chicago Climate Exchange and other financial innovations. He also serves as the Aaron director lecturer in law and economics at the University of Chicago Law School and as an honorary professor at the School of Economics at Fudan University and the University of Hong Kong. He previously taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels at several U.S. universities and lectures widely throughout Europe and Asia. Known worldwide as the “Father of Financial Futures,” he was named a “Hero of the Planet” by Time magazine in 2002 and one of the magazine’s “Heroes of the Environment” in 2007. In October 2013, he was awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) in France, for his accomplishments in environmental finance and carbon trading. Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence Brian and Renee Murphy Forum 3-4 p.m. | Fireside Chat 4-5 p.m. | Book Signing and Reception

Please join us on Thursday, April 9, starting at 3 p.m. for a fireside chat and book signing featuring Dr. Richard Sandor, the CEO of Environmental Financial Products and the visionary known globally as the “Father of Financial Futures,” in the Brian Renee Murphy Forum of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence. A two-time […]

COSSPP Seeks Communications Graduate Assistant for Fall 2026

Published: March 10, 2026 | 12:47 pm | Posted in: News, Students

FSU COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & PUBLIC POLICY WE ARE HIRING COMMUNICATIONS GRADUATE ASSISTANT KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Write and edit news and feature stories. • Manage social media activities, including content creation, scheduling, and engagement. • Update and maintain website content using WordPress. • Capture photography at events and assist with visual content production. • Organize content archives and assist with marketing and administrative tasks. POSITION DETAILS • 20 hours per week in person on a set weekly schedule. • Ability to attend events outside standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), with adjusted office hours to compensate for event time, as needed • Includes stipend and tuition waivers covering 12-15 credit hours SEND AN EMAIL WITH A COVER LETTER, YOUR RESUME, AND A LINK TO YOUR ONLINE PORTFOLIO TO: Rebecca.sage@fsu.edu

The College of Social Sciences and Public Policy seeks a graduate assistant with exceptional writing and editing skills and a strong interest in organizational social media management and visual content creation.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role will support the College’s overall communications strategy.

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