MSU Urban & Regional Planning student receives 2018 Michigan Association of Planning Memorial Scholarship

Najma Muhammad, a junior majoring in Urban & Regional Planning at the MSU School of Planning Design and Construction, received a 2018 Michigan Association of Planning Memorial Scholarship.

Image of Najma holding a white envelope containing her scholarship.
Urban & Regional Planning junior Najma Muhammad with the 2018 Michigan Association of Planning Memorial Scholarship she received.

Najma Muhammad, a junior majoring in Urban & Regional Planning at the MSU School of Planning Design and Construction, received a 2018 Michigan Association of Planning Memorial Scholarship.

The MAP’s Memorial Scholarship Program was created by Larry Bauman and Mike Banas in 1993 to honor their friend Mike Manore, a long-time planning leader, after he passed away.

“This scholarship offers motivation toward my professional career goals and comfort that others see my vision as valuable and necessary,” Muhammad said.

“I plan to use my scholarship to fund other educational experiences and materials, including books, software, and study abroad. A little here and there goes a long way. My future plans are to attend graduate school and receive my Masters in planning. Afterwards, I would like to gain some on the ground experience working for a non-profit or local government organization towards community development. Eventually, I intend to go back to school for my doctorate.”

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must be a member of the Michigan Association of Planning and enrolled at a Michigan college or university in an urban or regional planning program or related curriculum with an emphasis on land use planning.

All applicants must complete an application with an essay describing their reasons for pursuing a degree in land use planning and how it will benefit planning in Michigan.

“Initially I was attracted to urban planning through my passion for sustainable agriculture on an urban scale. As I have gotten further into my studies I have realized that I want to impact change on various levels,” Muhammad said

“I want to help form communities that offer basic human needs regardless of one’s socio-economic background – a place where people have adequate shelter, food, water and healthcare.”

A formal presentation of the award was held on Sept. 21, 2018, at the Michigan Association of Planning’s annual conference, Planning Michigan, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids.

Did you find this article useful?