AZIZA AHMADI
KEY COURSES
Land Use Planning
Environmental Planning
Historical Preservation Planning
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Environmental Studies
Anthropology- Culture and Environment
Independent Study on Wicked Problems
Applied Statistics for Business
Globalization and Development
PROJECT AND WORK EXPERIENCE
In order to solve complex problems, we need to incorporate more of a multi-displinary approach. Looking at all the major angles of the issues at play helps create a more well-rounded solution strategy. Participating in the design thinking collegiate competition, Wege Prize, has been an amazing learning oppportunity on how to effectively work in a collabortive team environment to strengthen food relationships.
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
2011-2015 Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Valley State University
Major: Public and Non-Profit Administration
Sustainable Design
Minor in Environmental Studies
The criteria for the Wege Prize was to form a team of 5 undergraduate students who study different disciplines and are at least one other institution. We had to create a product that addresses a wicked problem affecting people while fitting within a sustainable circular economy framework. Our team FusionGRow finished in 1st place. Our poster for the competition is shown below which can be clicked into a PDF for closer viewing.
ArtPrize is an international art competition and non-profit organization created through a public-private partnership 6 years ago in Grand Rapids, MI. Since its beginnings, ArtPrize has had an incredible impact by using art as a means of creating an inclusive urban environment.
In 2014, 174 venues hosted art from over 1,500 artist in a 3 mile radius in downtown Grand Rapids where over 400,000 people were estimated to have participated during the 19 day competition and festival (more info on ArtPrize). TIME magazine even named it the fourth best festival in the world in 2013.
I had the opportunity to work for the organization through assisting in sustainability research consulting. The result was a new framework to be used as an Annual Impact Report to access program results and ways to improve on a yearly basis. This framework encompassed the Triple Bottom Line- fiscal, social and environmental responsibility. Projects included promoting sustainable modes of transportation and waste diversion methods. Also worked on creating an assessment tool that gauges sustainability impact within the different venues that host art during the festival. Click on the image for the initial content template.
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Boston Square Community Bikes is an Earn-A-Bike program on the southeast side of Grand Rapids that refurbishes old bicycles for practical purposes. This program address lack of transportation options by empowering individuals to learn the ins and outs of how to fix and use bicycles long term. This free, seasonal program has helped thousands of children and adults be self-reliant and eco conscious since it was founded 10 years ago. I had the opportunity to help this organization in the Fall by making an empowering logo that symbolizes the positive impact the organization is contributing to the community.
Roundtable discussion on the 6th wave of innovation to
transform business using a circular economy framework.
Our team, FusionGRow, tackled the wicked issue of food waste and lack of healthy, affordable produce in urban environments.
TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS
Website Design-HTML
Google Sketchup 2015
Microsoft Office Package
Freelance Writing
Digital Photo Rendering
Video Editing
Social Media
GIS-Geocoding
Design Thinking Approach
I interned at The GreenHome Institute (formerly the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability. This 501(c)3 non-profit's mission to be a catalyst for sustainable market transformation of the built environment through education, 3rd party verification, and community partnerships.
Helped specifically on researching grant opportunities for the organization as well as the Nest Project which is presented in the video. The Nest is a Living Building Challenge project that grew out of the Treehouse Community Garden in Grand Rapids southeast side to help create a sense of community in an area affected by high foreclosure as well as other issues. The Fowlers presented in the video were the family we were assisting through raising funds from donations as well as an indiogogo crowd funding campaign.
Click image above for more info
