Staff

Belgin Gumru Belgin Gumru is a Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Istanbul Technical University in Istanbul, Turkey. She has been working at the Community Design Center since Summer 2007.

Lizbeth Ruiz Lizbeth Ruiz is a first year master in Community Planning students at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She earned her degree from Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela. Lizbeth has been worked for Habitat for Humanity Venezuela, financial institutions, and a construction management firm.

Mike Benkert Mike Benkert is a Master of Architecture student at DAAP and recent graduate of the school's undergraduate architecture program. He is especially interested in sustainable/affordable design and has been heavily involved with UC's Habitat for Humanity project. He has co-oped with William McDonough + Partners in Charlottesville, Virginia and is currently serving as President of Students for Ecological Design (SED). Mike is an avid runner and hopes to run a marathon within the next few years.

Dugan Murphy Dugan Murphy is almost a third year Bachelor of Urban Planning student at DAAP. He relocated to Cincinnati from his hometown of Portland, Maine in July of 2006 and thinks this city has some of the best architecture ever. His other interests include bicycles, old buildings, punk rock, heavy metal, town/city histories, maps, Ren and Stimpy, dancing, and good vegan food. He started working for the CDC in June of 2008.

Emily Heintzelman Emily Heintzelman is a first year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She holds a BFA from Ohio University in Graphic Design. She started working at the CDC in the winter of 2008. Her interests include pumping iron, clementines and flying kites.

Erin Dornbusch Erin Dornbusch recently graduated with a Bachelor of Urban Studies at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She has worked at the Community Design Center since Spring 2006.

Weiqun Chen Weiqun Chen is a graduate student from Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Before working at the Community Design Center, he worked at Motorola in Florida and China. His area is wireless communication; however, he has more fun while working with planners.

Brayden McLaughlin Brayden McLaughlin is a second year Masters of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. Brayden has focused on the urban design aspect of planning, emphasizing historical restoration and New Urbanism. He has worked on the Anyang Newtown Project, Cincinnati Riverfront Project, Mariemont Preservation Foundation Walking Tourbook, and the Anderson Township Studio. He currently lives in Mariemont with his wife.

William Basil William Basil is a second year Bachelor of Urban Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). He worked with the Community Design Center from April 2008 through June 2008.

Ryan Johnson Ryan Johnson is a second year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. He holds a Bachelor degree of economics from UC. He has worked at the Community Design Center since Fall 2007.

Melony Stambaugh Melony Stambaugh is a Master of Anthropology student at the University of Cincinnati’s McMicken College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Cultural Studies from Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY. She has been working at the Community Design Center since September 2007 as a Taft-Niehoff Community Scholar Graduate Assistant.

Holy Siefke Holy Siefke is a digital design student at the college of DAAP. She transferred to UC from Columbia College of Chicago where she spent 2 years of her college career. She has been working at the Community Design Center since Winter 2007. Genevieve Rainsberger Genevieve Rainsberger is a fourth year Bachelor of Planning student at DAAP. She began working at the Community Design Center in the fresh days of 2007. In her spare time she stands as president for Students for Ecological Design, enjoys relishing in the urban spirit, and has goals of learning how to grow her own sprouts. Corey DiRutigliano Corey DiRutigliano is in the Masters of Architecture program at the University of Cincinnati, working through the research year towards his thesis. He holds a bachelors degree from the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University; after graduation from OSU he moved directly on to the DAAP program in hopes of avoiding food service as a permanent career choice. His current employment is a joint venture with the CDC to develop a greater understanding of Uptown and advance his knowledge of Urban Planning/Design. He also never combs his hair. Chris Parsley Chris Parsley is a first year Master of Architecture student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the UC's DAAP. He has worked at the Community Design center since Winter 2008. Brendan Weaver Brendan Weaver is a fifth year Bachelor of Urban Planning student at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. In the past, he has worked not only for UC's Center for Sustainable Engineering, but also for a prestigious UC research doctor. In his free time, he tends to his urban garden in Over-the-Rhine. He has been working at the Community Design Center since Winter of 2007. Conan Gibson Conan Gibson is a fourth year Bachelor of Urban Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. He has worked at the Community Design Center since Spring 2007. He enjoys long walks on the beach and big furry dogs. Duygu Karadeniz Duygu Karadeniz is a Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She has a Bachelor degree in Urban Planning from Izmir Institute of Technology in Izmir, Turkey. She has worked at the Community Design Center since Winter 2007. David Alpern David Alpern is a fifth year Bachelor of Urban Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. He worked at the Community Design Center between Winter 2007 and Spring 2007. Erika Sotzing Erika Sotzing is a second year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She has a Bachelor degree in Architectural and Environmental Design from Bowling Green State University. She worked at the Community Design Center between Fall 2005 and Spring 2006. Margaret Ambrosino Margaret Ambrosino is a second year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She earned her Bachelor degree in Communications with minors in English Literature and Italian from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Margaret is also a graduate of the United States Peace Corps Language and Technical Training Program and a former Peace Corps volunteer. She has worked at the Community Design Center since Summer 2006. Sylvia Gugu Sylvia Gugu is a second year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She holds a Bachelor of Urban Design degree from the 'Ion Mincu' University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest, Romania. She worked at the Community Design Center in Summer 2006. Mary Vann Mary Vann is a second year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She holds a Bachelor degree from Indiana University in Public Affairs as well as an Associate in Applied Science/Legal from Southwestern Michigan College. Scott McGrath Scott McGrath is a fifth year Bachelor of Urban Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. He worked at the Community Design Center between Winter 2006 and Winter 2007. Thea Munchel Thea Muchel is a second year Master of Community Planning student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. She also holds a Bachelor degree in fine arts (sculpture) from UC's DAAP. She worked at the Community Design Center between Summer 2006 and Winter 2007.