Awards & Honors

Three SSA students have been selected for the 2025-2026 cohort of the Fund for the City of New York’s Community Planning Fellows Program. Alejandra Páez UD ’25, Ziko Malambo MS Arch ’26, and Jonathan Stirling MLA ’26 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 urban planners and policymakers in NYC!

Alejandra Páez is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Urban Design at CCNY’s Spitzer School of Architecture. She holds a degree in Architecture from her home country, Colombia, where she is also a licensed architect. For several years, she worked at the Urban Development Institute (IDU) in Bogotá, supporting the urban design team in the Technical Project Division. This experience provided her with a deep understanding of urban development, enabling her to create public spaces and metropolitan-scale integrated transportation projects, including sustainability strategies and community-based initiatives. Alejandra’s move to New York was driven by her desire to pursue her master’s in a city known for its social inclusion and innovative approach to urban design. Her graduate studies have strengthened her interest in social justice and the circular economy, reaffirming her belief that intentional design—focused on both social well-being and environmental responsibility—is essential for the future of cities. Through this fellowship, Alejandra aims to connect her academic training with practical community involvement, deepening her commitment to socially and environmentally conscious urban design and contributing to fair and inclusive urban development. Her goal is to help build cities where all communities can thrive with a sense of belonging and ownership. In her free time, Alejandra enjoys traveling, exploring urban hidden gems, and connecting with nature.

Ziko Malambo is a Zambian-born Architect currently pursuing a Master of Science in Architecture at the Bernard & Anne Spitzer School of Architecture in New York. His journey into architecture was deeply personal, sparked by a desire to honor his late father’s unrealized vision and fueled by a passion for designing spaces that uplift users and the community. Before relocating to New York, he spent over a decade practicing across Zambia, where he gained extensive hands-on experience in residential, commercial, and institutional projects. This foundation led him to establish Enenum Consultancy, a firm dedicated to thoughtful, context-sensitive design that responds to the evolving needs of modern African cities. The firm’s approach is reflected in its diverse portfolio, including notable commissions such as the redevelopment of the International School of Lusaka. Outside of architecture, he is a lifelong fan of basketball and football (soccer), which he occasionally plays, and is a selective reader of African literature, world history, science fiction, and general geography. These interests keep him balanced, curious, and deeply connected to community engagements, science, and celebrating culture. Through his work and studies, he aims to shape architecture that is not only beautiful but also equitable, accessible, and sustainable. His firm’s vision is to radiate an enthusiastic passion that gives birth to a growing architectural landscape throughout Zambia, Africa, and the world, by engaging in strategic partnerships that make a generational impact to ensure society is placed in a better position to succeed, as evidenced by our talents.

Jonathan Stirling is in his final year of a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture at the City College of New York. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom. Jonathan’s professional journey has taken him from property development projects in Italy to viticulture in the Hudson Valley, with a consistent focus on the relationship between land, sustainability, and human well-being. After completing the NYC Master Composter course, he became deeply invested in expanding access to green space and promoting urban agriculture and horticultural education, particularly for schoolchildren. His recent research includes studies on green roofs for public schools and ties to land among newcomers to New York City from rural areas, exploring how land use can preserve collective memory and foster community resilience. Outside of his academic and professional work, Jonathan enjoys gardening, biking through the city in search of great street food, and exploring urban ecology. He is committed to designing restorative, educational, and community-centered green spaces that connect residents to nature, strengthen social bonds, and enhance the overall quality of urban life.