The Latest News from PA Chapter of APA…
Great Places in Pennsylvania: Submit Your Nominations
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association is looking for Great Places in three categories: Great Greenway/Trail or Preserve, Great Public Space and Great Transformation. Great Places are unique, memorable places that display a wealth of best practices in community planning and serve as models for other communities. They also have a true sense of place, cultural interest, community involvement, and a sustainable vision for tomorrow. More information is available online. Deadline for submissions is Monday, June 9 at 11:59 PM.
APA PA Annual Conference
Save the Date for the APA PA Chapter Annual Conference: Planning the Keystone: Shaping a Resilient Future, which will take place from October 12 -14, 2025 at the Hilton Harrisburg. Reservations can be made for your stay at the Hilton Harrisburg! The easiest way to make a reservation is online. The room rate is good until September 21, but don’t wait to make your reservation. The chapter only has a certain number of rooms in our block and once it’s full, it’s FULL.
Please consider becoming a sponsor, exhibitor or advertiser. More information is available online. The APA PA Annual Conference provides a unique and effective opportunity to showcase your work and capabilities to planning professionals and policy makers from across the Commonwealth. It’s also one of the ways to support planning in Pennsylvania by providing valuable networking, education, and development for planners.
Planning Webcast Series
Earn over 50 AICP CM credits each year online—at no cost to members of participating organizations that support the Planning Webcast Series. Webcasts take place live on Fridays from 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET and are worth 1.5 CM credits (for live viewing only) unless otherwise noted. More information is available online.
Opportunities for Giving
Each year the Chapter offers a scholarship to support individuals seeking funds for academic degree programs, internships, and professional development activities. If anyone would like to contribute to the Chapters Scholarship fund donations can be made online. We accept all major credit cards, and you can also send a check. Please make your check payable to “PA Chapter of APA Scholarship Fund” and mail it to P.O. Box 4680, Harrisburg, PA 17111.
Communication and Membership Committee
We are looking for volunteers to contribute articles for our monthly E-News. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact us.
Southwest Section Mentorship Program
By Carrie Hill Machuga
The Southwest Section of the Pennsylvania Chapter just completed the fourth year of its Mentor Telemachus program for the 2024-2025 academic year. The program offers a lot of benefits to mentees and mentors throughout the year:
- Exposure to real-world work environments, responsibilities, and interactions
- Bridges the gap between school and the profession
- Professional development and networking
- Shadowing experiences
- Resume review
- Participation at a fall and spring event
This year, 19 mentees joined the program from Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and Indiana University of PA and were matched with consultant, state, county, and local government planners.
The Section capped-off the program with a ‘Mentorship Mixer’ in April at CMU, which provided an additional opportunity for networking and celebration of another successful year.
Job Postings
There are numerous job opportunities available on the PA Chapter website, check them out. Here are some recent postings:
- York County Planning Commission is seeking a Long Range Planner
- Marshall Township is seeking a Township Manager
- County of Lycoming is seeking a Deputy Director
- Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office is seeking a Education & Special Initiatives Coordinator
- Clinton County is seeking a Community Planner/Zoning Officer