College of Architecture and Urban Studies | School of Public and International Affairs

Elizabeth Scaggs is May’s Featured Student.

Our May student of the month, Elizabeth Scaggs, is a native of Roanoke, Virginia. She earned a B.S. in psychology from Roanoke College before working as a grant writer for several different community advocacy programs in Lynchburg and Roanoke, Virginia. She is now pursuing a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Tech.

She says, “While I sometimes miss the working world, I have no doubt that the MURP program was the right choice for me. I really value how the program allows me to shape the curriculum to suit my interests and how the faculty has been so willing to make this experience one that will further my ultimate employment goals. While I’ve only just completed my first year of the program, I already have several “real world” projects from modules and studio classes to include in my portfolio.”

In terms of the resources the program offers she says, “It’s also been great to know that I have resources beyond the faculty at the Blacksburg campus to call upon. When Dr. Ted Koebel’s Housing Policy class sparked my interest in vacant property reclamation, he was able to quickly put me in touch with Joe Schilling from the Alexandria campus that proved to be a vital asset to my research. It has been reassuring to know that I have a network beyond those I see around campus everyday.”

While taking classes Elizabeth has also been able to secure an assistantship with the Virginia Tech’s Office of Capital Assets and Financial Management, where she has worked to rewrite policy-related documents.

Professor Jesse Richardson says of Elizabeth, “She entered the MURP program after gaining experience in professional grant writing with Total Action Against Poverty in Roanoke. She has excelled in the classroom and beyond. Her professionalism and expert communication skills have been noted by the faculty. She was recently selected as a summer intern by Warren & Associates, an urban development consulting firm in Charlotte NC.”

In addition to her many accomplishments thus far, The American Planning Association has also recognized her work as an outstanding student, by awarding her the, “Outstanding Student Award” from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association in 2008.

When she’s not busy with all of her schoolwork, in her free time Elizabeth loves spending time with her husband and playing outside with her puppy. She also loves grilling out with family and friends.

Would you like communicate with Elizabeth regarding her work and activities with the Urban Affairs and Planning Program? Send her an e-mail: ebrown@vt.edu

This student profile was written by MURP student Sarah Sturtevant.