Thomas teaches courses on geographic information systems (GIS), land use planning, physical planning, urban design and urban sustainability. His research centers on sustainable and resilient urban development with a focus on green infrastructure, scenario planning and innovative planning technologies.

James Kastelic joined the adjunct faculty at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University in 1996, and currently serves as Research Fellow at the Center for Community Planning and Development, as well as Instructor, teaching courses in community and regional planning. He formerly held a number of positions, including Deputy Director, at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, from which he retired in 2002; Senior Park Planner for Cleveland Metroparks from 2002-2013; and Program Director for the Trust for Public Land’s Ohio office from 2013-2016. Mr. Kastelic holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts degree in urban geography from Kent State University.

David Bass graduated from Case Western University in 2015 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and he has spent the last five years working as a transportation engineer. David pursued a Master of Urban Planning and Development at Cleveland State University in order to develop a more holistic understanding of the built environment development process, and to build skills for utilizing GIS to inform planning. Originally from Buffalo, NY, David has long been fascinated by the unique transportation and planning challenges presented by legacy cities, particularly regarding the management of population decline, sprawling development, overbuilt infrastructure, and the growing need for equitable transportation options. David’s professional goal is to apply his knowledge of urban planning and transportation engineering to help plan a more sustainable future for Northeast Ohio’s transportation networks.

Isabella McKnight is a dual-degree student pursuing a Master of Urban Planning and Development and Juris Doctor, with a graduation date of December 2021. Isabella’s passion lies in urban sustainability, fostered through her environmental studies B.A. from Oberlin College. For the past 5 years, Isabella has worked as Program Manager for the Cleveland 2030 District, a local nonprofit that targets the climate impact of commercial buildings. Isabella also serves as a Graduate Assistant for Levin’s Center for Economic Development. After graduation, Isabella plans to sit for the Ohio Bar Exam and work at a local law firm, focusing on real estate, construction, and environmental law practice.

Tyler Berry will be graduating the Spring 2021 semester, with a Masters in Urban Planning and Design, and a Juris Doctor. He plans to sit for the Ohio Bar Exam, where upon admission to the Bar, hopes to practice Real Estate and Business Law in the Cleveland Market. 

Mr. Berry has had experiences spanning from local government, to courthouses, to consulting agencies, and currently works in a law firm Downtown Cleveland.  He would like to thank his classmates, who he has worked on countless projects with throughout the program, and especially for the work we have been able to accomplish in the current Covid-19 environment. 

Courtney graduated from CSU with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and will be graduating from the Master of Urban Planning and Development program this summer. She has a certificate in Geographic Information Systems and is passionate about using data to foster sustainable and equitable change. She is the vice president of Cleveland State University’s student chapter of the American Planning Association and is currently working as a graduate assistant at CSU’s Center for Economic Development and as a planning intern at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Courtney is excited to start working at Novogradac & Company LLP after graduation, where she will be assisting in real estate market analysis and analyzing economic trends as a junior analyst.

Fulton Benya will be graduating with a Master's in Urban Planning and Development from Cleveland State University in May of 2021. Fulton, through his time at CSU, has become interested in urban design, sustainable and equitable communities, affordable housing and the importance of the built environment in planning. Fulton will soon be finishing his internship as a policy analyst at Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, which he started in November of 2019. Fulton is hoping to work in Urban Design, Community Development, Community Planning, City Planning, or Housing. He would also like to thank his classmates and professors for their hard work throughout the difficulties of learning during COVID-19.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Jameesha has lived in neighborhoods from east to the west. She has always envisioned herself turning her passion for bringing life and development back to underserved communities within the city’s core into being her purpose. As a first-generation college graduate, Jameesha is preparing to obtain her Master’s in Urban Planning and Development in May of 2021. She is a member of the Cleveland State University’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society (Sigma Alpha Pi) where she held an executive board position as their Community Service Co-chair. Also, she is a member of Upsilon Sigma - The Urban Studies Honor Society through the Urban Affairs Association (UAA). Upon graduation, her future aspirations are in learning more about real estate, building her network, and aligning herself with organizations that possess a deep interest in social equity, affordable housing for low-income residents, along with being driven towards implementing strategies that could enhance human capital in marginalized communities. She is confident her studies at Cleveland State University have prepared her for this moment in her pursuit of a career in equity planning and neighborhood development.

Graduating in May 2021 with a Master of Urban Planning and Development and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, Malcolm also completed his undergraduate studies at Cleveland State with a degree in Environmental Studies. Currently, Malcolm is a research assistant in the Urban College and a GIS consultant with the non-profit DigitalC.

Ariel Washington will be graduating with her master’s degree in Urban Studies in May of 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in African-American and African Studies with a minor in International Studies. Ariel possesses a broad arsenal of skills and experience in architecture, development, non-profit marketing and development, and urban planning. Ariel is currently a Zoning Analyst with Millman National Land Services and an ESL teacher with English One Teaching Services. Her professional interest includes the collaboration of urban planning and development that create affordable and sustainable housing options.

Ian Russell will be graduating from Cleveland State in May of 2021 from the Master’s of Urban Planning and Development Program with a specialization in Historic Preservation. Ian’s B.A. degrees from Kent State University in History and Architectural Studies helped to cultivate his interest in historic architecture and the potential of adaptive reuse projects in America’s legacy cities. After graduation, Ian will be looking to find local work in city planning, historic preservation planning, or real estate development.

Sarah Hammer holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. She is planning on graduating from CSU’s Master of Urban Planning and Development program in December 2021. Sarah currently works at KeyBank as a service officer in Community Development Lending and Investments. The most rewarding position she holds is mom to a 10 year old son.

Matthew graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Political Science. Currently, he is a student at Cleveland State University where he will graduate with a degree in the Master of Urban Planning and development program. His studies have mainly been focused in the area of economic development and revitalization in United States legacy cities. A former Eagle Scout and member of the Ohio Army National Guard, Matthew is looking forward to finding a career where he can truly help build more sustainable, equitable, and livable communities for people in the future.

Rachel Riemenschneider will be graduating with a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Development, with a concentration in GIS, from Cleveland State University in May 2021. While at Cleveland State, she served as the President of the American Planning Association’s CSU chapter. She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Scient and International Relations in 2015. With over five years of non-profit experience, Ms. Riemenschneider has worked with diverse populations. As a planning associate at KM Date Community Planning, she conducts research & analysis and participates in the development of plans for small communities in and around Northeast Ohio.