Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development

Karl Toth is a 2010 graduate of the MUPDD program at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, with a certificate in Real Estate Finance. He is also a 2005 graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology and a minor in Art History.

Karl’s interests include filmmaking and computer graphics. He is using these skills and his knowledge of urban planning to create a computer generated model of downtown Cleveland as it appeared in the 1890’s. Once complete, this model can be used to better understand the life cycle of urban centers and how they change over time. He hopes to eventually publish a coffee table book on the subject.

Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development
Cleveland State University Division of Capital Planning
& Office of the University Architect
Planner

“I am a planner within the Division of Capital Planning & Office of the University Architect. I work with all department staff on various efforts to develop program statements and planning studies. I also manage the planning and design of all way-finding and environmental graphic systems. I hold the title of Space Manager, which means I am responsible for maintaining the space inventory database, generating space utilization reports, and providing analyses to the campus community and to the Ohio Board of Regents.

The Environmental Planning classes I took really advanced my knowledge in understanding symbiotic relationships between the built and natural environments. We studied site planning, which is a skill I use when participating in campuswide planning exercises. The Urban Design class taught me the solid principles related to such things as street layout, aesthetics, and hand drawing techniques. In the Division of Capital Planning, we engage the core planning principles taught by the College of Urban Affairs every single day as our office looks to develop the CSU campus.”

Major: Master of Arts in Environmental Studies
Ostendorf-Morris
GIS Analyst

“The College of Urban Affairs' Environmental Studies Program helped me make sense of the world around me by helping to synthesize multiple disciplines. It also opened my mind and enabled me to think of other perspectives and agendas. In fact, not only did I receive my bachelor's degree from the College of Urban Affairs, I also thought enough of my previous experiences to attend the College's master’s program in Environmental Studies. In addition, the College ended up being a valuable resource to me since it posted the job I have now.

I am currently a GIS Analyst and part of the Research Services team at Colliers Ostendorf-Morris in Cleveland. Our group provides specialized research services in order to supply brokers and their clients with current information critical to their decision-making processes. As a GIS Analyst, I provide comprehensive analysis based on geography and data to create interactive queries used to analyze the spatial information and maps, and present the results of all these operations to brokers and their clients. The results of the analysis are used to create geographic references to make critical decisions in commercial real estate.”

Major: Master of Public Administration
Internal Revenue Service
Public Affairs Specialist

“The MPA program at the College of Urban Affairs helped to prepare me for a career in the federal government by teaching the fundamentals of public service. Skills that I obtained from courses in such things as public finance, budget management, public sector human resources management, and policy are skills I use on a daily basis in my current position. These skills and knowledge also helped me to become a Presidential Management Fellow and to obtain a fellowship with the Internal Revenue Service.

Major: Master of Public Administration
City of Largo, Florida
Management Analyst

"I can point to one class in particular that helped immensely with preparing me for my current role. In Dr. Caver's budgeting course, I learned to perform revenue and expenditure analysis at a high level, which I now do on a daily basis. I also had the honor to work as Professor Sy Murray's graduate assistant at the Levin College, which provided countless networking opportunities to meet and learn from some of the finest municipal leaders across the country. My experiences in graduate school affirmed my interest in the city management profession and I am now on that path, thanks in large part to the opportunities provided by Cleveland State and its professors.

I currently administer the city's Capital Improvements Program (CIP), which includes all of the city's $100,000+ projects and all vehicle replacements over a five-year period, supported by nearly 20 different funding sources. I also manage the Environmental Services department's $24 million budget and represent the department before the City Commission. I have been involved in various challenging administrative processes, including contract negotiations with the City's largest labor union."

Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design, and Development
TouchPoint Solutions, Inc.
Strategic Planner/Business Analyst

"The level of ‘information and experience’ ‘gained and exchanged’ during my master's program at Levin College of Urban Affairs has helped me interact with leaders and chief company executives with comfort and confidence in meeting their project planning and business requirements. My education at the Levin College has elevated my knowledge base, skill set and the pattern in which I present my ideologies to build key strategic solutions for the business teams I deal with. Coursework concerning real estate, GIS, transportation, risk & decision making, economic development, and interactive studios have taught me the correct manner to handle situations and explicitly how to get the best product delivered on time. Apart from all this, the professional ethics learned from being a graduate assistant to Dr. Brian Mikelbank and the continued support and pertinent mentorship that the College grants me, is immense and unsurpassed."

"As a Strategic Planner and Business Analyst of the team, I provide effective planning of resources, budgeting and cost and benefit analysis for the projects already being designed or for the projects in pipeline. I conduct organizational studies and evaluate industry best practices. Utilizing my knowledge of corporate functions, I design, develop and implement applications in the area of business/planning/information systems, develop methodologies for functional systems, conduct business analysis, interact with clients and handle off-shore management and development strategies."

Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design, and Development
University Circle Incorporated, Cleveland
Associate Planner

“I was able to make connections and grow my network of peers and professional contacts through the courses I took and the other various college events I attended. The ongoing research and interaction I had through the MUPDD program helped me to expand my areas of expertise and stay up-to-date on current issues and trends in the world of planning and development.

Currently, I focus primarily on transportation issues and sustainability initiatives in University Circle. I am focused on measures that will help enhance a pedestrian-oriented environment, while at the same time accommodating for the large influx of other transportation modes that will come with the growing development in the neighborhood. Beyond this, I work day-to-day on other planning and development-related projects that will help the neighborhood grow and become a more complete and vibrant urban district.”

Major: Master of Urban Studies
The Center for Public Management
Research Assistant

“My experience at the College of Urban Affairs prepared me for my position as a research assistant in a variety of ways. It provided me with a solid foundation of theoretical and applied knowledge that is vital in thinking through complex issues. I also developed a unique skill set that is applicable in many areas of research. My experience as a graduate assistant provided me with an opportunity to work on real-world policy issues. I work on a variety of economic and fiscal impact studies, benchmarking studies, economic development strategies and policy analysis reports.”

Graduate students are involved in administrative and research projects that enhance their academic learning and provide valuable networking opportunities.

Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design, and Development
The Coral Company
Development Associate

“My coursework further developed my critical thinking skills and increased my knowledge of the neighborhoods of the City of Cleveland. As a development associate with The Coral Company, I manage multiple commercial and residential and development projects, and I research potential development projects.”

Hands-on learning is the predominant feature of the curriculum at the Levin College. Professors involve students in finding solutions to real problems faced by local agencies and governments.

Major: Master of Urban Studies
Colliers Ostendorf-Morris
Associate Director, Data & Information Management

“The faculty provided many community contacts through the various speakers who presented to my classes.”

The College of Urban Affairs is located in downtown Cleveland where students benefit from the expertise of the College’s faculty and its partnerships with public, private and nonprofit organizations."

Major: Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration
Certificate of Local and Urban Management
The Cleveland Foundation
Fellow, Cleveland Executive Fellowship

”The Cleveland Foundation selection committee noted my keen awareness of history and a sense of duty to use my skills and resources to their fullest potential. Linking my law education with practical policy considerations gives me the opportunity to advocate in a principled manner while still thinking globally about the bigger issues.”

Major: Master of Public Administration
Cuyahoga County Board of County Commissioners
Office of Budget & Management
Budget Management Analyst

“I was able to network through my graduate internship with Cuyahoga County. The networking allowed people to see my work ethic and have the trust in me that I could do the job.”

Networking opportunities available in internships provided Trevor with the visibility he needed to land the job. The Office of Student Services in the Levin College coordinates internships, assistantships, and research projects, which provide valuable networking opportunities and possible placement upon graduation.

Major: Master of Public Administration
Catawba County, North Carolina
ICMA 2005 Local Government Management Fellow/Management Analyst

“Working as a City Management graduate assistant at the Levin College with Professor Sylvester Murray is a BIG key to my current success.”

Graduate students are involved in administrative and research projects that enhance their academic learning and provide valuable networking opportunities.

Major: Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies
MPA Student

“My experience at the College equipped me with the educational foundation to pursue law school and a future career in politics. Professors and staff were readily available to assist me with issues related to class and beyond.

The Levin College’s faculty and staff provide students with opportunities to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, and each of those degrees is designed to train individuals to make a difference in the development of their communities.

Major: Ph.D. in Urban Studies & Master of Public Administration
Texas A&M University
College of Architecture
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
Assistant Professor

“My experience at CSU, especially my dissertation topic, enabled me to be competitive in the academic job market, especially in regards to land development and land use. Given the timely nature of my dissertation topic, several colleges were interested in me as a possible new faculty member. This background provided me with the ability to obtain a tenure-track position at an excellent university. The main responsibilities of my position focus on teaching existing classes as well as proposing and developing new courses to expand the Master of Science in Land Development Program.”

Career opportunities for individuals receiving a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary urban affairs programs are expanding. The demand for urban and public affairs Ph.D.’s in the traditional academic market continues. Ph.D.’s are also in demand in the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development
Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc.
Real Estate Development Specialist

“The College of Urban Affairs helped lay the foundation for me to become an effective young professional in the field of community development. Through my courses and employment at the College, I learned how to approach problems both creatively and analytically. My college experience also afforded me the opportunity to build a network of skilled professionals to support me in my current and future career endeavors.

Hands-on learning is the predominant feature of the curriculum at the Levin College. Professors involve students in finding solutions to real problems faced by local agencies and governments."

Major: Master of Public Administration
Certificate of Local and Urban Management
City of Mentor, Ohio
Assistant City Manager

“I am a career public servant. My MPA has daily application in my work! The degree I earned at the College of Urban Affairs greatly assisted my career transition from City Attorney to City Manager.”

The Levin College of Urban Affairs develops leaders for public service through the College’s nationally ranked MPA program. Anthony is part of a growing number of alumni who are committed to excellence in public service.

Major: Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development
The Nord Center Supervisor for Residential and Housing Service

“I went into the MUPDD program with 10 years of local government experience, specifically in planning and zoning. Much of what I was exposed to as a student directly correlated with what I was doing on the job, which reinforces the fact that students learn the tools and framework necessary to be adequately prepared for the workforce.”

I wear multiple hats in my position as Supervisor for Residential and Housing Service at the Nord Center. The Nord Center is a comprehensive behavioral health care center with a 60-year history of providing services to persons with mental illness. One role is to coordinate housing for persons who have both a severe mental illness and are homeless through the Shelter Plus Care and Supportive Housing Programs of the McKinney Vento Act. I also direct the Housing Service Program of Lorain County (HSP), a program that the Nord Center has fiscal oversight of and is open to all residents in Lorain County. The HSP provides placement assistance for the homeless, emergency rental assistance for individuals and families experiencing a temporary inability to pay rent, and foreclosure loss mitigation. I oversee the homeless shelter liaison and peer mentor, who conduct mental health assessments at the day shelter, overnight shelter, and the 24-hour shelter in Lorain County. I am the Vice Chair of the Homeless Task Force of Lorain County, co-chair of the Continuum of Care Committee, board member of Lorain County Habitat for Humanity and Lorain County Furniture Bank, and a member of the Lorain County Foreclosure Task Force. I am also a licensed Realtor with Russell Real Estate Services in Amherst.”