President

cskruger@ualberta.ca

Hello! My name is Callista, and I will be the President of GAPSS for the 2024-2025 school year. I am in the final year of my Urban Planning Degree, with a minor in Sociology. Urban design, architecture, and the pursuit of building more inclusive, sustainable cities are at the core of my planning-related interests. I spent the last eight months working as a Research and Policy Student at the City of Edmonton supporting the City’s goal of achieving Vision Zero. Outside academics, I enjoy caring for my million houseplants, hanging with my cat, and exploring the city.

Vice President Human Geography

lauren5@ualberta.ca

Hi there! My name is Lauren (she/her), and I am going into my fourth year of BA Human Geography with a minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. This summer I worked for Alberta Parks as an Information Officer in Aspen Beach Provincial Park, the very first Provincial Park, where I got the opportunity to connect visitors with the park’s rich history and natural beauty. What I love most about geography is exploring the deep connections we form with the places around us and how it shapes our everyday lives. I am also passionate about sustainable practices, housing, and the human dimensions of environmental change. When I’m not studying you can find me outdoors with my dog, or playing geography games with my friends- I have an uncanny knack for guessing countries by their shape.

Vice President Planning

nroychou@ualberta.ca

From the moment I was born I knew I was destined to be VP Planning for GAPSS. My first word was GAPSS and my first steps were on a bus. I am committed to being the person you go to for all your planning needs! Also devoted to publishing the Topophilia journal with Lauren! I'm an Urban Planning major with a minor in Sociology; and also purusing a certificate in Sustainability. I've done two internships during my time in school, one with the City of Edmonton and another the City of Calgary. My goal in planning is to one day sprawl so far that Edmonton & Calgary become one big city with Gasoline Alley as our downtown. Apart from that I have an interest in area planning (ASPs, NSPs, etc), sustainable development, public engagement, and planning languages. Outside of planning I love skateboarding, running, debating, frolicking, and just some plain ol' goofin off. I pretty much live on campus (under a desk in Rutherford) so if you ever see me come say hi!

Vice President External

rrthomso@ualberta.ca

Hi! I'm Rylee, and I'm currently in my 4th and final year of my BA, double majoring in Human Geography and History. My academic passion lies in exploring the intersection of people and place, and how these dynamics have shaped our world's past and present. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master's degree and a career in library and archives, where I can help preserve and provide access to these histories so that others can learn and connect with them too. Outside of academics, my world revolves around my two dogs, Oslo and Dallas. I also love traveling, playing golf, and capturing moments through photography.

Vice President Internal

el5@ualberta.ca

Hello, My name is Beth (She/Her) and I am the GAPSS VP Internal, and a BIG fan of maps. I'm in my fourth year of a degree in Human Geography. When my relatives try and ask me what 'Human Geography' is, I like to say its a collision of urban planning and sociology; it is about places and the people within them. They normally do not understand this, so I end up just saying its about bikes lanes or something, and then they just tune me out! I am excited to be a part of GAPSS because I have a love for sustainable city building that compliments people's wellbeing, not cars. So basically, I really like trains and annoying people about trains. Another topic of interest in planning/human geography is urban flooding and how sustainable, low-impact development (LID) can mitigate harm to both people and infrastructure. When I am not doing GAPSS stuff, you can find me bed-rotting or repeating some unintelligible online jargon that is not doing me any favours socially.

Vice President Finance

igrande@ualberta.ca

Howdy! I'm Isabella and I am the VP Finance for GAPSS. I am going into my fifth year of a BA in Human Geography and will hopefully have the academic paper I helped write finally be published by the time I graduate! I am excited to be apart of this group and help put the G back in GAPSS. I found myself in Human Geography somewhat by accident as I had no idea what it was when I first enrolled but now I'm five years in and it's been a blast. A big passion of mine is architecture and would love to pursue a career in it while using my background in human geography to create beautiful buildings that fit and work well in their environment. When I'm not hiding away in old Tory you can find me on my free range cat farm where we adopted two more orange babies. I am also a traffic circle enthusiate with a side hustle of wine making. Grande Estates Carménère coming soon 2024.

Vice President Events

dezmond@ualberta.ca

Hello! My name is Dezmond and I am the VP Events for GAPSS. I am in my third/fourth year of a BA in Planning, and I am participating in the Arts Work Experience program, having completed one internship so far at an urban planning consulting firm. My interest in munipical and community planning continues to grow as I realise the potential power it can have in truly improving people's quality of life. Some of my main interests include the planner's role in ending the housing crisis, climate change mitigation through increased active transportation, and the decolonization of the planning practice. In my free time I love playing sports, looking at maps, travelling, eating food, playing guitar, and riding my bike.

Vice President Marketing

eaprefon@ualberta.ca

Hi! My name is Eric, and I am the VP of Marketing for GAPSS. I am currently in my fifth year of the BSc Planning program; and this past summer, I participated in the SciWorks internship program, working for the City of Edmonton. My interest in planning stems from its diverse potential to enhance people's lives through policies, plans and processes like active commuting, developing and enhancing parks and recreation areas, and improving social services at a community level. One of my favourite classes so far has been PLAN 412: Finance for Planners. When I'm not in classes or doing GAPSS work, I am an avid baker and enjoy bouldering :)