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By Mariana Seda
At Illinois, the Student Planning Organization (SPO) plays a central role in shaping the student experience within the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Led by elected student officers, the organization brings together undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in Urban Planning for professional development, networking, and community building.
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“SPO is a group where Urban Planning students come together to support each other and get more involved outside the classroom,” explained senior Myra Stevens, who served as previous president of SPO. “We host events like career panels, volunteer days, and fun socials that bring students closer and connect us with the planning world. It’s really about building community while learning more about the field.”
As an offshoot of the American Planning Association, SPO’s programming complements classroom learning by promoting interest in the planning field and creating space for intellectual exchange and collegial connection among students. “The classes teach us the hard skills, and SPO gives us the opportunity to strengthen our soft skills,” shared senior Jack Vonderheide who serves as SPO’s secretary. “That kind of experience helps a lot when you start applying for internships or jobs.”
Another key objective of the group is to serve as the official spokesperson for students in the department. “SPO has a faculty sponsor and direct access to voice opinions at monthly department meetings,” explained junior Joe Hissem, current vice president of SPO. “Here, we raise concerns that the student body has and pitch ideas about how to better improve our education and college experience.”
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Their events range from casual trivia nights and end-of-year picnic celebrations, to more professional preparation events like free headshots, internship panels, and firm crawls. Their annual Chicago Firm Crawl brings students to planning firms and government agencies in the city, exposing them to networking that could lead to internships and future employment. “One of my favorite memories was when all ten of us board members coordinated and helped lead 50+ members through Chicago to visit and learn from world-renowned architecture, engineering, and planning firms,” recalled Stevens. “I couldn’t be more proud than to work with this team who cares so dearly about providing the best possible experiences for our members.”
SPO also aims to connect with the broader campus community and the local cities of Urbana and Champaign. One memorable initiative was the group’s PARK(ing) Day project, where members transformed campus parking spaces into temporary public gathering spots. “It was fun, creative, and a great way to connect with the campus community and get them engaged,” said Stevens.
While SPO draws its membership from students in Urban Planning degree programs, the group welcomes students from allied fields as well, like civil engineering, architecture, political science, and beyond. Alongside exceptional faculty and a supportive alumni network, the Student Planning Organization enriches student experiences by building connections and equipping them with the skills they need to become leaders that will shape communities for the better.
