Awards & Honors

Two Spitzer School graduate students have been selected for the 2024-2025 cohort of the Fund for the City of New York’s Community Planning Fellows Program. Oranette Johnson M Arch  ’25 and Sonia Uthuph MLA  ’25 will learn from seasoned professionals in urban planning, local politics, and community development in addition to collaborating on real-world projects that address key challenges faced by community boards and local neighborhoods.

Congratulations to these students on becoming the next generation of NYC urban planners and policymakers!

Oranette Johnson is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Architecture at the Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York. Her undergraduate degree is from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Textile/Surface Design. Oranette is deeply passionate about designing the next generation of equitable and environmentally conscious housing to serve diverse and underserved urban communities. Her interests lie at the intersection of architecture, climate, environmental, and social justice, inspired by her daily appreciation of New York City as a lived landscape. In addition to her academic pursuits, Oranette has gained valuable extensive experience in the field as a Social Justice Fellow at the Leadership Center for Democracy and Social Justice and as a research and policy intern for Church United for Fair Housing (CUFFH). These roles have provided her with an in-depth understanding of social justice policy, research methods, grassroots organizing, and the impact of architecture on social and environmental issues. Outside of her academic and professional life, she enjoys exploring New York City’s vibrant neighborhoods, engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, and actively participating in community-oriented endeavors.

Sonia Uthuph is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture at The City College of New York. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Texas, with a focus on social and educational psychology. Sonia recognizes the vital role public spaces play in enhancing both physical and social well-being. She is wholeheartedly committed to creating environments that uplift the working class and marginalized communities, fostering trust among diverse groups despite the challenges posed by an increasingly privatized and militarized society. Sonia envisions a greener, more equitable world that benefits both humans and non-human animals. She advocates for greater investment in public transportation and recreational spaces for all ages. Sonia loves libraries and bookstores and likes to provide excellent book recommendations. In her free time, she enjoys people-watching at parks, visiting bodies of water, dancing, kickboxing, and watching bad movies with friends.