APA Florida Chapter Names Alumna Leticia Sabio Student Planner of the Year

The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) granted Charles E. Schmidt College of Science alumna Leticia Sabio ‘24 the organization’s Student Planner of the Year award during its annual conference in Tampa on Sept. 6.  

“It feels incredibly rewarding and humbling to be named Student Planner of the Year,” expressed Sabio. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my studies, as well as the support of the MURP department. I’m deeply grateful to my professors and peers who have been there to guide and encourage me throughout this journey.”  

The award recognizes an outstanding planning student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to urban and regional planning. This prestigious honor is part of APA Florida's effort to encourage the next generation of planners and celebrate their contributions to the profession.   

Sabio outperformed other students from the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, and Florida State University. She was recognized for her work as a Graduate Research Assistant on the Watershed Master Plan, funded by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). This $2.5 million project was led by Principal Investigators Frederick Bloetscher, Ph.D., professor and associate dean in the College of Engineering, and Daniel Meeroff, Ph.D., dean of Undergraduate Studies. Sabio’s work on the project was supervised by Co-Principal Investigator Diana Mitsova, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.  

“Our team developed multiple flood scenarios and applied a land-use prioritization strategy to identify critical facilities in flood-prone areas, helping communities improve their resilience,” said Sabio.  

At the conference, the college’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning had a dedicated table in the exhibition hall, which showcased the department’s three degree programs, the GIS certificate, and Florida Atlantic's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES). Melina Matos, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Schmidt College of Science, and Peter Henn, J.D., AICP, an instructor in the department, were in attendance and engaged with attendees and alumni.  

“It was exciting that more than two dozen Florida Atlantic alumni stopped by our table to say hello and to let us know where they were working. From local government positions to the private sector, our alumni are making an impact and collaborating to create better, more sustainable urban planning,” shared Matos. “It was rewarding to see that our department continues to fulfill its mission of educating the next generation of urban and environmental planning professionals to serve and protect Florida.”  

Sabio graduated from Florida Atlantic with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degree in August. In addition, she also earned a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  

In the future, Sabio plans to apply GIS to community planning, transportation planning, and community resilience, with the goal of fostering sustainable and equitable communities through data-driven solutions.  

“By leveraging data-driven insights and GIS technology, I aim to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and equity of communities,” stated Sabio. “Integrating these solutions into urban planning allows me to address critical challenges like climate change and social vulnerability, helping communities to be better prepared for the future while fostering inclusivity and long-term sustainability.”