School of Planning Graduate Students Awarded OPPI Southwest Ontario District Planning Student Scholarships

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The School of Planning is proud to announce that School of Planning graduate students Emma Borho and Michael Ricci have each received the OPPI Southwest District Planning Student Scholarship!

The Southwest District Planning Student Scholarships promote excellence in planning education, community service and personal achievement among OPPI members that are enrolled full-time in accredited undergraduate and graduate planning programs in Southwestern Ontario.

Emma is a second-year graduate student in the MES Planning program. Her research, with Dr. Leia Minaker, focuses on rural children’s perceptions of impacts of the built environment to their health. Her interests are in healthy communities and better understanding how planning can serve children’s needs. The SWO OPPI District was interested in her research as it is directly applicable to the challenges faced by many rural communities in the district.

Michael is a second-year graduate student in the MA Planning program. His research, with Dr. Martine August and Dr. Katherine Perrott, proposes tools for increasing 2SLGBTQ+ representation through urban design, participatory placemaking, and policy in public spaces in Kitchener-Waterloo. His interests in geography, social planning and urban design have shaped his research and professional goals. The SWO OPPI District expressed interest in his passions and research as it aligns with their commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within Ontario.