Please be advised that the application period for the March 2026 Externship Experience has now closed.
In-person experience with homestay, for 2 co-externs, March 9–12, 2026, (not including travel days).
The student/s will gain an understanding of the fields of urban planning and landscape architecture, and what those careers can look like in practice. Student/s will learn about long-range planning, how it is complex, having to address various diverse needs, while also making assumptions about the future. The student/s will also learn how different teams and stakeholders collaborate on open space and building construction projects to make sure the design of these projects meets the needs of the users, as well as the needs of those who will maintain the campus over time. We will tour the two main UCSF campuses to discuss urban planning and university planning in real time. If interested, the student/s will learn how the University of California approached climate resilience for all UC campuses, and how UCSF was able to create an equity-centered climate resilience implementation plan. Other related topics can be discussed based on interest, for example, policy, architecture, etc.
The students will meet the entire UCSF Campus Planning team and learn of their various roles, and how they came into the profession. Depending on interest, other field trips or shadowing opportunities can be arranged, either within UCSF or externally. For example, in past years, the students have spent a half-day at a local architecture firm. Grinnell Alum Bill Burke, a retired architect, has met with the students in past years as well.
Returning host Joy Glasier ’95 (she/her) majored in Cultural Ecology at Grinnell, combining Anthropology and Environmental Studies. After working for five years, she entered graduate school at UC Berkeley in Landscape Architecture. She then worked at two urban planning and landscape architecture consulting firms before joining UCSF’s Campus Planning department in 2017.
Joy writes, “My current role spans long-range planning and site planning for new buildings and acquisitions (urban planning), oversight of open space design (landscape architecture), and climate resilience planning (sustainability). I love my job for many reasons: 1) I work on many different subjects, meaning I am never bored and always learning; 2) my work is meaningful—I am a steward of an amazing institution; 3) my colleagues are smart, kind and collaborative; 4) I make a living that allows me to live in this beautiful place—the San Francisco Bay Area. Outside of work, my passions are music, art, nature, and community.”
About this externship: Marc Geller has hosted the homestay portion for the last two years, and he has agreed to do so again next year. This has worked out great, and the students have enjoyed staying at Marc’s place. Students selected for this externship will be connected to Marc for more information. The externs are expected to pay for their own meals while with Joy and can discuss meals with homestay host Marc. Budget $60/day and plan to use public transportation.
Students may contact me at this email ahead of submitting their applications.
Application window: January 2–12, 2026, for March 2026.
To apply for this externship, submit your application materials including the It’s a Match form, one-page résumé, and cover letter as specified in the resource: Externship Experience Information for Students.
For this externship, Joy may schedule a virtual chat. Please watch your email for that invitation.
We recommend you make an appointment to review your application materials with a CLS adviser before submitting. Questions? Email: externships@grinnell.edu.