17th Street Studios, a group of Master's in Urban Planning and Development students, are dedicated to finding solutions for Northeast Ohio's urban challenges.
Meet the Team
Dr. Thomas Hilde
Professor/Instructor
Dr. Tom Hilde teaches courses on land use planning, the built environment, GIS, and urban sustainability. He has led several community-engaged class projects as co-instructor of the Capstone Planning Studio. His research centers on fostering sustainable and resilient urban development with a focus on the multifaceted benefits of green infrastructure such as urban forests, parks, and greenways. LinkedIn
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Mr. James Kastelic
Instructor
Mr. James Kastelic joined the adjunct faculty at the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University in 1996, and currently teaches courses in community and regional planning. He also serves as Research Fellow at the Center for Community Planning and Development, with research interests in natural resource management and land conservation. LinkedIn
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Sam Munro
Student
Sam Munro is a graduate of Unity University with a Bachelors of science. He will graduate this Spring 2024 with a Master of Urban Planning and Development. Sam currently works at the City of Euclid as a Zoning and Architectural Review Coordinator, and for a nonprofit called Magical Creatures Sanctuary as an Event Coordinator. Upon graduation, he will use his degree to create prosperous ways of life for both human populations and the surrounding environments. Sam is incredibly proud of his classmates and would like to thank them and all his professors, for making his time at Cleveland State University an amazing one. Some of his favorite pastimes include being outdoors, painting, training in mix martial arts, and spending time with family. LinkedIn
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Mae Thompson
Student
Mae Thompson is in her final semester as a graduate student in the Master of Urban Planning and Development program. Currently, Mae is a Transportation Planner at HDR, an architecture and engineering consulting firm. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and Strategic Communications from the University of Denver. She is the Treasurer of the American Planning Association CSU student organization. Mae moved to Cleveland three years ago and has been most surprised by the expansive Metroparks system and Cuyahoga National Park. After graduation, Mae is eager to advocate for equitable transportation planning practices and policies. LinkedIn
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Nate Lull
Student
Nate is a planner in the neighborhood planning section of the City of Cleveland Planning Department. He earned his undergraduate degree from CSU in Urban Planning, with a minor in Sustainable Development. Nate was actively involved with Cleveland State’s chapter of The American Planning Association, serving as Secretary and then President. LinkedIn
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Krystal Sierra
Student
Krystal Sierra (she-her-ella) is the Director of Neighborhood Sustainability at Slavic Village Development. She leads the EcoDistricts Certification and master planning work for Broadway-Slavic Village, overseeing green infrastructure, park development, trail network, transportation and public art. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Ashland University and a Master of Urban Planning and Development from CSU Levin College of Public Affairs and Education (expected May 2024). She is a trustee of the Awesome Foundation – Cleveland Chapter, board member of Young Latino Network and a board member of Towards Employment Young Professionals. Krystal is a graffiti art enthusiast and loves performance art, Cleveland history, leading volunteers, planting trees and a great cup of coffee. LinkedIn
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Edgardo (EJ) McGorty
Student
Edgardo (EJ) is a master’s candidate in Urban Planning and Development with a focus in Real Estate Development Finance. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies from Cleveland State University, with a certificate in Sustainable Development. His most recent experiences include participating in the Urban Land Institute’s 2024 Hines student competition—in which he earned an honorable mention—and interning for the City of Shaker Heights’ Planning Department. A geographer at heart, his professional aim is to employ finance strategies to advance equitable urban policy and sustainable design. Originally from Miami, FL, he enjoys film, illustrating, and the summers in Ohio.
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Alahjanai Carlisle
Student
Alahjanai Carlisle is a passionate advocate for equitable urban development and social justice. Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Development, she is set to graduate in May 2024. With a background in affordable housing, real estate, and non-profit organizations, She has dedicated herself to serving communities in need, focusing on implementing programming and development initiatives in underprivileged areas. LinkedIn
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Alex Ordodi
Student
Alex Ordodi is a 2nd year student in the MUPD program at Cleveland State. A lifelong Clevelander and long-term downtown resident, he has seen firsthand the transformative changes that the city has gone through over the last 20 years. Alex’s interests include transit-oriented development, specifically improvements to neighborhood walkability, with an emphasis on decreasing automobile-reliance. In his spare time, Alex enjoys walks to the park with his dog, trying new local restaurants, and cheering on the Cavs and Guardians.
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Celina Sotka
Student
Celina Sotka is City Planner 1 for the City of Painesville. She was born and raised in the City of Painesville and is ecstatic about planning for the community that her and her family reside in. She is responsible for permit review, Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals preparation, Design Review, and a variety of studies the city is involved in. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Ohio University in 2020 and moved to Chicago to pursue her career. After some time as an Environmental Consultant, she returned to Lake County where she enrolled in the Master of Urban Planning and Regional Development Program at Cleveland State, with an anticipated graduation of Spring 2024. Celina is a plant connoisseur, cat lover and avid biker. LinkedIn
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Christine Fergus
Student
Christine Fergus is the Director for Global Intelligence at MetLife, a worldwide provider of insurance and other financial services. Originally from the Cleveland area, she left Ohio after college to pursue graduate work and a career in foreign affairs. She holds Master’s degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic Language & Literature from the University of Michigan and Syria’s Damascus University, respectively. In 2021, Christine returned to Cleveland, enrolled in CSU’s MS in Urban Studies program and sought out ways to get involved in making our region more livable, sustainable, and vibrant. She is a board member of Bike Cleveland and loves biking, walking, and running the city’s growing network of urban trails. LinkedIn
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Connor Brentar
Student
Connor Brentar is the Neighborhood Development Coordinator at Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation and is also in his final semester of the Master of Urban Planning and Development program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies from Cleveland State University, with a certificate in GIS. As part of his work at OBCDC, he helps to support small businesses in the neighborhood and to advance local planning and placemaking projects. A native Clevelander, Connor enjoys many things in his free time including exploring the city, trying local restaurants and coffee shops, and biking. LinkedIn
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Hanna Sauberan
Student
Hanna Sauberan is currently pursuing her master’s degree in urban planning and development and a certificate in GIS while working as a graduate assistant (GA) at the Levin School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public safety management from Cleveland State University in 2022. After graduation, Hanna is interested in working with GIS to help inform and improve community’s decisions and solutions. Her passions include research, data analysis, sustainability, environmental justice, and developing equitable solutions to community problems. LinkedIn
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Taviana Carr
Student
Taviana Carr grew up in Maple Heights, Ohio, and obtained her undergraduate bachelor’s in criminology and Master of Science in Urban Studies from CSU (as of May 2024). She has worked for the State of Ohio on research and policy for the Board of Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists and with the United States Postal Service OIG to investigate criminal activities. After graduating she plans to leverage her skills and continue working in the federal/local government and help those in the community through education and mentorship. She is grateful for her family’s support, teachers from her high school, and the Tri-O program that helped her get to where she is today. When she is not studying or working, she enjoys going to the movies, yoga, boxing, and spending time with friends and family. LinkedIn
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John Miesle
Student
John is a second year master’s candidate in Urban Planning and Development with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Planning from the University of Toledo. He is currently working as a graduate assistant within the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, as well as serving as a Mayoral Intern for the City of University Heights. He is looking forward to expanding his career in the field of planning and continuing to build on his experience. Born and raised in Northern Ohio, he is motivated to contribute thoughtfully to the region. He spends his free time running, exploring the Metroparks and listening to music. He is also excited to be getting married next month, and is grateful for the support of his friends, family, and fiancé. LinkedIn
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Jody Oelbracht
Student
Jody is a Recreation Specialist with the Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Experiences team, providing skills-based outdoor education programs for Park guests and community groups. She will be graduating this May with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies. Jody currently holds a Master’s Degree of Labor Relations & Human Resources from Cleveland State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University, and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) outdoor education and leadership program. She describes herself as a free-range human and connoisseur of all things peanut butter. LinkedIn
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Kelsey Phillips
Student
Kelsey, born and raised in Cleveland, is a graduate student in the final semester of the Master of Urban Planning and Development program, and previously received her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from CSU. With a background in environmental planning and construction, she currently works as a project manager for a non-profit affordable housing developer in Cleveland. Kelsey’s passions include creating equitable housing opportunities for residents, map making, and sustainable urban design. LinkedIn
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Elizabeth Kravanya
Student
Elizabeth Kravanya earned her Associates of Arts degree as a part of the Mandel Continuing Scholars program in 2019. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State University, Ms. Kravanya joined the graduate college at the Levin School of Urban Affairs earning a Master of Urban Planning and Development in Spring 2024. She currently works as the Advisor and Program Coordinator for the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Continuing Scholars program in the Honors College at CSU. With a successful career in business that relocated her all across the country, Ms. Kravanya returned to her hometown to make a difference in the city by fostering leadership in the students she advises. She is an Advance Leadership Junior Fellow, sits on the board of Cleveland Peace Action and is a Deacon at Church of the Western Reserve in Pepper Pike. Elizabeth lives in Cleveland Heights with two cats. She has two grown children and two grandchildren who live close by. LinkedIn
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