ON THIS PAGE

Peer Advisors

Urban Studies has three peer advisors for 2009-2010.  Contact them if you have a question about the major and would like a student perspective!

Interested in becoming a peer advisor?  It’s a great way to be involved in the major, meet new people, and spread the word about Urban Studies!  Applications are due in May to Associate Director Michael Kahan.  You may download the application form here (PDF).

George Carollo    (NOTE: only Winter and Spring Quarter)

Email:
gcarollo@stanford.edu

Hometown:
Sacramento, CA

Year expecting to graduate:
2011

Concentration in Urban Studies:
Self Designed: Architecture and Urban Design

 

Why I'm majoring in Urban Studies: I love the interdisciplinary nature of Urban Studies and its applicability to the real world.

What I like best about Urban Studies: I love the people in the Urban Studies program. Both the faculty and students are personable and intellectual

Favorite book: There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz is one of the most insightful books I have ever read. This book provided me with a rich understanding of the hardships faced by the urban underclass.

Favorite class / professor: My favorite class was Introduction to Urban Design, which was taught by Gerry Gast. Gerry promoted creativity and took the class out into the field to study urban projects.

Career goal / Future plans: I would love to either co-term at Stanford or attend Harvard School of Design to get a masters in Urban Planning.

Other academic interests (majors, minors): I am also majoring in Economics.

Extracurriculars: I am a founding member of ASPIRE, a real-estate club on campus and I am a member of the Blyth Fund.

Something else you should know about me: I am a bit of a germophobe and I do not have a facebook.

Back to top

Katie Martinez

E-mail:
kmart741@stanford.edu

Hometown:
Corpus Christi, Texas

Year expecting to graduate:
2010

Concentration in Urban Studies:
Urban Society and Social Change

Honors Thesis or other research project: Why citizens oppose smart growth: A look at resident opinion in Palo Alto, California

Why I'm majoring in Urban Studies:
I’m majoring in Urban Studies because it allows me to explore so many different fields and interests I have. I have taken classes in history, politics, engineering, economics and even art. It never gets boring and always leads me to new experiences and places I never thought I would end up.

What I like best about Urban Studies:
I love that it allows you to explore your own interests in Urban Studies with incredibly supportive professors and staff to help you along the way.

Favorite book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. This book inspired my interest for all things urban studies and I always seem to come back to it in all my studies.

Favorite class / professor:
I absolutely loved Urbanst. 171 Urban Design Studio with Danno. This class changed the way I view urban space and opened my eyes to the limitless possibilities of creating a livable, sustainable and most importantly interesting space.

Career goal / Future plans:
Not sure! Probably grad school and then who knows!

Extracurriculars:
Habitat for Humanity, Kappa Kappa Gamma

Something else you should know about me:
I studied abroad in Florence, Italy Spring 2009 and had the most amazing time ever!

 

Back to top

  
Angie McPhaul

E-mail:
amcphaul@stanford.edu

Hometown:
Redwood City, CA

Year expecting to graduate:
2010

Concentration in Urban Studies:
Urban Society and Social Change

Honors Thesis or other research project: I am looking into the relationship between nonprofits and government in an education setting.

Why I'm majoring in Urban Studies:
Urban Studies gives me the tools to think about really pressing issues. Poverty, the environment, education, and community-building are all key domestic issues and central to urban studies. Of course, I also love cities!

What I like best about Urban Studies:
I love the interdisciplinary nature of urban studies matched with the relatively small program that really lets us get to know our peers and professors.

Favorite book: Urban Studies related: There are No Children Here

For Fun: The Great Gatsby, Bel Canto and anything Harry Potter

Favorite class / professor:
The Urban Underclass with Michael Rosenfeld – this class gave me the framework to understand and analyze urban poverty.

Career goal / Future plans:
I’ll let you know when I know!

Extracurriculars:
I am part of STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition as well as Camp Kesem. I am also a Stanford Tour Guide, and I love to hike, swim and spend time with friends.

Something else you should know about me:
I pride myself on knowing where to find good Mexican food on the peninsula (and I’m always looking for recommendations!)

 

Back to top

  

 

Back to top