School of Urban Studies and Planning

Portland Planning Diversity Awards (PPDA)

The Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning is pleased to offer Portland Planning Diversity Awards for students in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program. The purpose of these awards is to attract and support outstanding students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including racial and ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in graduate urban planning programs.

Additional goals of the PPDA are to facilitate the development of skills, connections, and professional pathways for diverse MURP students, and to expand the pipeline of diverse, emerging planning talent available to employers in the Portland planning community.

Two Types of Awards:

  • Two-year funding commitments made at the time of admission to the MURP program, typically to two students per incoming MURP cohort 
  • One-year awards to incoming or continuing MURP students, subject to funding availability

The PPDA functions like an externally-hosted Graduate Assistantship. Read more about Graduate Assistantships on the Graduate School's website. Each award entails a tuition waiver (up to 36 credits per academic year), partial fee waiver, and an hourly wage based on  12-19.5 hours/week, as a graduate assistant working off-campus with a local public agency or community partner during the academic year. The specific details of the placement vary by partner organization.

Beginning in 2021, one PPDA per cohort is  designated for the Tony Lamb Racial Justice Fellowship, which focuses on internship placement with a Black- or Indigenous-led organization on planning-related projects promoting racial justice in the greater Portland community.

Eligibility Requirements and how to Apply:

  • All prospective students who apply for priority admission to the MURP program can be considered. You will note your interest and provide some details as part of the regular MURP application.
  • To maintain eligibility, MURP students must be enrolled full-time (9 credits or more) and in good academic standing with the PSU Graduate School.
  • Prioritization for the PPDA will go to MURP students who meet the eligibility requirements and best exemplify the goals of the Portland Planning Diversity Awards, including professional potential and contribution to the diversity of the MURP program and the planning profession. We are interested in multiple dimensions of applicants’ personal, academic and professional background and experience that would contribute toward a more diverse MURP student environment, including but not limited to: race/ethnicity, class/socioeconomic background (e.g., first-generation college students), educational background (e.g., attendance at a predominantly minority institution such as an HBCU or tribal college, or at a community/junior college), gender, sexual orientation, disability status, age, veteran status and life experiences. Extra consideration will be given to individuals who have participated in Ronald E. McNair Scholars Programs as undergraduates.

Meet Some of Our PPDA Scholars:

Hosts

Past and current PPDA hosts (thank you!) include:

  • Private firms, e.g. Cascadia Partners LLC, EcoNW
  • Nonprofit organizations, e.g. Hacienda CDC, Rosewood Initiative
  • Government and quasi-governmental agencies, e.g. Portland Bureau of Development Services, Bureau of Environmental Services, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, Housing Bureau, Metro, Port of Portland

Check out what one of our PPDA hosts from the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) says:

Every year BPS looks forward to the fresh perspective and surge of energy that comes along with our MURP interns. As leaders across the country in urban design, climate justice and equitable city growth, we are only as successful as the most vulnerable in our communities and work hard to invest in creative solutions to challenges. We rely on partnerships with programs like the Masters in Urban Planning department to stay connected to emerging theories in the field and plant the seeds for innovative ideas. In 2019 we hosted 3 interns each leading research projects, code drafting and other public involvement projects on land use plans. Their input contributed to more equitable processes by which bureau decisions are made and priorities are set. Our interns have been incredibly bright and professional and have brought much more to their roles than anticipated. BPS is committed to advancing racial equity in the bureau at all levels and will continue to invest in programming that supports students and creating more pathways into the field for professionals of color.

- Nikoyia Phillips (she/her/hers) is the equity and engagement strategist for the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS)

Find out more information on hosting a PPDA student. Interested? Contact Greg Schrock, TSUSP School Director, at gschrock@pdx.edu.

Two students sitting outside of the PSU Millar Library

Donate to the PPDA scholarship fund
Two students walking in the park blocks

TSUSP & CUPA Scholarships