Student Representatives Council - American Planning Association

About the Student Representatives Council

The Student Representatives Council (SRC) is one of the three APA components. The SRC comprises the SRC executive committee, student leaders representing Planning Student Organizations (PSO), and APA student members.

The SRC Executive Committee consists of eight elected members. It leads the SRC and helps shape APA policies that influence student issues. The committee also advises the APA Board of Directors on the best interests and needs of students and young professional members. The Student Representative Council Executive Committee Chair is also an appointed member of the APA Board with a vote.

Council Activities

• Host the Annual Student Planning and Design Competition
• Host networking and mentoring events for students

Term: 2 Years

Eligibility: Current student member of APA

Time Commitment: Virtual meetings monthly, in-person meetings at NPC

Executive Committee Officers

Chair

Johnathan Gates

Johnathan Gates is passionate about creating vibrant, connected places and the role planning plays in tourism, entertainment, and everyday mobility. His professional work focuses on advancing mobility, land use, and infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life in communities. Johnathan began his leadership with his Planning Student Organization, later serving as an SRC regional representative and, later still, as Chair, where he champions opportunities for students and emerging planners to build connections, confidence, and leadership within APA. Outside of planning, he enjoys building LEGO, watching movies, and traveling. He holds a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University.

Region I

Aditi Galande

Aditi Galande is an urban planner and designer at +lab architect PLLC in New York, working on regenerative design, waterfront resilience, and community-driven projects. With a background in landscape architecture from India and a master’s in Sustainable Environmental Systems from Pratt Institute, she integrates sustainability and resilience into urban planning. Her global experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams shapes her holistic design approach. Aditi is committed to engaging communities to co-create visions for a sustainable, resilient future. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, and learning about different cultures.

Region II

Vanessa Boateng

Vanessa Afua Boateng is a Community & Regional Planning graduate from East Carolina University with a minor in Geography/GIS. Originally from Florida and proudly Ghanaian, her work is rooted in advocacy, leadership, and community-centered impact.

Region III

Miracle Hilliman

Miracle Hilliman is a PhD candidate in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University. Her research focuses on affordable housing and infrastructure, with an emphasis on advancing equitable and sustainable housing policies. Miracle aims to strengthen affordable housing frameworks in the United States, Guyana, and the broader Caribbean and South American regions. Through her academic and professional work, she seeks to bridge policy, planning, and community needs across local and international contexts. In her free time, she enjoys Pilates, cooking, and listening to Caribbean music.

Region IV

Mariah Smith

Mariah Smith is a community development professional and emerging planner focused on equitable neighborhood revitalization, youth engagement, and culturally grounded placemaking. With training in community development and hands-on experience supporting local planning initiatives, she works at the intersection of economic development, community empowerment, and inclusive public spaces. Mariah is passionate about ensuring historically underrepresented communities have a voice in shaping their neighborhoods through thoughtful planning, partnerships, and creative engagement.

Region V

Romina Marca Narvaez

Romina Isabel Marca Narvaez is an emerging planner and architect dedicated to creating inclusive, human-centered urban spaces. After earning her master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Arizona in 2025, she joined Civtech, a consulting firm specializing in transportation planning, traffic engineering, and design. With a background in architecture from the University of Buenos Aires, Romina uses urban data to better understand conditions and prioritize community well-being. She is passionate about equitable development and enjoys sharing knowledge to support the planning community and help others grow.

Region VI

Andrea Bizarro

Andrea Bizarro is an Urban and Regional Planning graduate student at UCLA with a focus on design, sustainability, and equitable land use. Her work centers on community economic development, particularly how planning and design policies affect historically marginalized communities. She is interested in applying research and community-engaged approaches to support more inclusive and resilient urban environments.

Past Chair

Bianca Mers

Bianca Mers (she/her) is dedicated to creating equitable, thriving communities. She is pursuing a PhD in City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on housing quality at the intersection of housing, energy, and health. Bianca has experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors in housing and community development. She holds a master's in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech and a bachelor's from the University of Delaware. Based in Philadelphia, she enjoys the city's public art, walkability, and architecture. Outside of planning, she loves cooking, gardening, yoga, reading, and community engagement.