About

Mission Statement

The APA City Planning and Management Division Mentorship Program (CPMD) is designed to enrich the professions of mentees by providing education and guidance from experienced leaders facing unique challenges in leadership positions in the planning profession. The CPMD Mentorship Program is designed to foster discussion among students, emerging professionals, and established planners for both in-person and virtual public environments. It is also intended to promote and enhance professional relationships and meaningful interactions between mentors and mentees in the profession of city planning.

Structure

The program operates with a combination of individual mentoring sessions and group sessions. It includes:

1. Individual mentoring session

· Mentees will be paired with mentors with the same interests, specialization, etc.

2. Group Sessions

· Mentees will attend a lecture and Q&A series where experienced planners share information from their own professional development and how they progressed through their career.

3. In-person connections

· If there is an opportunity to pair mentees and mentors in the same community, region or state, there may be more of an opportunity for them to connect in person, especially at State Chapter conferences.

4. Virtual Sessions

· While in-person coaching is preferred, much of this program will be virtual. This gives mentees a greater opportunity to connect with professionals working in the same or similar career focus areas.

Individual Sessions

Mentees will be paired with mentors with the same interests, specialization, etc.

Group Sessions

Mentees will attend a lecture and Q&A series where experienced planners share information from their own professional development and how they progressed through their career.

In-person Connections

If there is an opportunity to partner mentees and mentors in the same community, region or state, there may be more of an opportunity for them to connect in person, especially at State Chapter conferences.

What is a Mentorship Program?

A mentorship program is a structured initiative designed to support the personal and professional growth of individuals by pairing them with more experienced mentors. Here’s a breakdown of how it typically works:

Pairing: Mentees (those seeking guidance) are matched with mentors (experienced individuals) based on goals, interests, and needs. This can be done through formal applications, interviews, or recommendations.
Goals: The program usually sets specific goals or objectives for the mentorship relationship, such as career development, skill acquisition, or personal growth.
Meetings: Regular meetings or interactions are scheduled where mentors provide guidance, share their experiences, offer advice, and help mentees navigate challenges.
Support: Mentors might provide support in various ways, including career advice, networking opportunities, skill development, and emotional support.
Feedback: Both mentors and mentees provide feedback on their experiences, which helps improve the program and ensure that the relationship remains beneficial.

Mentorship programs can be found in many settings, including workplaces, educational institutions, and professional organizations. They aim to foster development, transfer knowledge, and build professional relationships.

Getting to Know the Mentorship Program Committee

Virginia Norris, MSP

Virginia Norris is an Associate Long Range Planner with New Hanover County in North Carolina. Virginia has a passion for fostering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities. She has worked in education, as well as community and economic development for the past 15 years as both a public servant and private consultant. Her collaborative approach prioritizes stakeholder engagement, ensuring that community voices shape the planning process.

In addition to her work in planning, Virginia dedicates her time volunteering in her local community. Her interest in collaborating on the mentorship program was born of personal experience, navigating the challenges of a career change in her 30s. She is committed to mentoring emerging planners and fostering diversity within the field.

When she is not working on community initiatives, Virginia enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and exploring new urban scenes. Her vision is to create vibrant, equitable spaces that empower all community members to thrive.

Martin Garcia, PhD

Martin is a disaster and climate resilience planner with 10 years of experience in hazard mitigation and disaster recovery programs. Martin has led cross-disciplinary teams in developing environmental, land use, and transportation solutions for disaster-prone areas, focusing on planning resilient urban systems and integrating building codes into mutual-help housing programs.

He holds a PhD in disaster recovery planning from Tohoku University, Japan, and a Bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Applied Sciences in Lima, Peru. He is a member of the American Planning Association, the National Hazard Mitigation Association, and a registered architect in Peru. Martin is committed to fostering climate resilience and sustainable growth.

Taeyoung (Paul) Kim

Taeyoung (Paul) Kim is an undergraduate student studying urban planning at State University of New York, Stony Brook University. Driven by aspiration, Paul's interest vary from studying the viabillity of open streets program to exploring creative methods in placemaking practices. As part of organizing the mentorship program, he manages a volunteer group Student Ambassadors Committee under the APA City Planning and Management Division in an effort to connect students and emerging professionals with planning professionals and various educational resources and opportunities.

Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Paul plans on further engaging with the study of built environment by pursuing a Master's degree in architecture.

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