The Planning Alumni Committee (PAC) adjusted to the unique circumstances of this past year with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers. In a year that would have seen many in-person events, PAC successfully transitioned to a virtual space where we continue to connect alumni and students with one another and with interesting planning pedagogy. We are particularly proud of our mentorship program that continues to see great interest from students and alumni alike, the Matthew Hanson Planning Opportunities Workshop, and our Pizza with Planners events. New this year were two student alumni mini socials that allowed for casual conversations in small breakout groups on Zoom. Both were well attended and with PAC receiving such good feedback we are considering continuing these virtual events post pandemic!
Over the past year, PAC hosted two virtual Friends of Planning Spring Socials that saw robust attendance and exceptional keynote speeches. Both keynotes touched on the intersection of pressing societal issues that have galvanized public support and how planning can be used as a force for good in our communities and cities. Thank you to Jay Pitter and Leslie Woo for their time and support of PAC.
PAC continues to financially support graduate planning students in order to enrich their planning education. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, sponsors, and the Department of Geography and Planning we are able to continue providing scholarships, field trip funding, conference funding, and are that much closer to establishing a new scholarship for students—for more information, please visit Give 2 Planning. As always, please stay in touch for our latest news and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email (committee@uoftpac.ca) or find us on social media (Twitter, and Facebook).