Hi I'm Lennon! I'm a father, a husband and a future planner. I'll be graduating from Clemson University in May 2026 with a master's in City and Regional Planning, and I am interested in a broad range of planning roles and opportunities.
Professional Philosophy
People make places. People--and the natural world upon which we rely--must be at the center of the decisions we make regarding our built environment. Therefore, planners should:
-Be community organizers willing to engage their neighbors, provide them with the data, information, and tools necessary to make informed decisions, and stand with them as decisions are made.
-Advocate for their communities, especially in elevating the voices and experiences of the most vulnerable members.
-Be data-driven and well-versed in collecting, analyzing, and applying qualitative and quantitative data in decision-making.
-Be listeners, learners, and doers--mostly in that order.
-Never stop believing in the power of both democracy and community.
Resume/CV
Planning Experience
Planning Intern/Graduate Assistant-City of Spartanburg (May 2025-Present)
-Completed an in-depth analysis of permit fees for Planning and Building departments in support of department initiatives to streamline development process.
-Implemented advanced GIS workflows to complete analysis of future land use in the city. Used ArcGIS and QGIS to create online tools for future internal and external analysis.
-Designed proposals for overhaul of code enforcement through process mapping of current processes and collaboration with Fire, Public Works, and Buildings departments.
Graduate Research Assistant/Facilities Intern-Clemson University (August 2023-May 2024)
-Updated and maintained ArcGIS Pro and Online maps for accurate representation of facilities assets, reflecting survey data in real time.
-Engaged in stormwater management projects to support sustainable campus development and facilities upgrades.-Assisted supervising professors with research tasks.
Professional Skills
GIS & Data Collection: ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, GPS Surveying
Educational Outreach: Curriculum and workshop development, public speaking, and program facilitation
Data Analysis: Research methods, critical analysis, data-driven planning
Project Management: Stakeholder collaboration, planning, and execution
Technical Proficiency: Microsoft 365, Google Suite, Adobe InDesign/Illustrator/Photoshop, SketchUp
Planning Coursework
Fall 2025
-Advanced Introduction to Landscape Architecture
-Professional Planning Seminar
-Research Methods
-Transportation and the Economy
Spring 2025 (4.0 GPA)
-Urban Economics
-Planning Law
-Urban Land Use and Comp. Planning
-Planning Studio (assisted with Anderson County Comp plan)
-Design Thinking in Governance
Fall 2024 (4.0 GPA)
-GIS for Professional Planners
-Planning Communication
-Planning Theory
-Environmental Planning
Teaching Experience
Pickens County Schools, SC: 2013-2015
North Lawndale College Prep, Chicago IL: 2015-2019
Chicago Public Schools, IL: 2019-2023
Greenville County Schools, SC: 2023-2024
-Designed and implemented dynamic lesson plans that engaged students with interdisciplinary, real-world themes, including urban planning and social sciences.
-Led workshops on culturally responsive teaching, fostering inclusive learning environments for diverse student populations.
-Collaborated with stakeholders across school and community to create project-based learning initiatives, enhancing student engagement and relevance.
-Served as a leader on teacher teams, driving improvements in student performance, school culture, and staff retention.
-Integrated technology like ArcGIS Story Maps and Google Earth to bring practical, real-world applications into the classroom.
-Coached extracurricular teams, including football, soccer, and rugby, and developed academic-peer mentoring programs to improve both academic and athletic performance.
-Spearheaded restorative justice initiatives that reduced suspensions, emphasizing collaborative skills and building a positive school culture.
Education
Master's: City and Regional Planning, Clemson University (August 2024-Present)
M.Ed: Social and Cultural Foundations of Education, DePaul University (2015-2019)
BS: Secondary Education-Social Studies, Clemson University (2009-2013)