Division Scholars
Urban Design and Preservation Division Scholars
Program Goal
The Urban Design and Preservation Division Student Scholar Program promotes interest and career development for emerging professionals in urban planning, urban design, and historic preservation by providing an opportunity to network with senior leadership professionals and contribute to Division outreach and research initiatives.
Meet Our 2025-2026 Division Scholars
Juliana Leite Neri
Juliana Leite Neri is a Brazilian Architect pursuing a Master degree in Architecture and Urban Design at Columbia University. Her work explores the intersection of community engagement and urban design, focusing on preserving neighborhood character and amplifying local voices. Over the past four years, she has collaborated with stakeholders across New York City to strengthen community identity and integrate it into public spaces. Her projects range from supporting the Kingsbridge Armory Vision Plan to activating local streets through designs that celebrate culture, memory, and collective care. As an APA Historic Preservation Committee Scholar, Juliana is expanding her research on how preservation and planning intersect in addressing today’s urban challenges. Her work involves developing an online resource library for APA members, curating case studies and policy tools, and helping promote the updated APA Policy on Historic Preservation through webinars, social media, and collaborative learning opportunities. Through this experience, she continues to build on her commitment to bridging preservation, equity, and design in shaping more inclusive and resilient communities.
Arielle Roybal
Arielle Roybal is an aspiring landscape architect, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is inspired by her Northern New Mexican heritage, and looks to her family’s cultural practices for inspiration for her work. Growing up in a historically rich atmosphere, Arielle is deeply passionate about historic preservation in the context of urban planning and design. Arielle is currently a first year master’s student at UC Berkeley studying landscape architecture. Arielle’s long-term mission is to understand how landscape architecture and urban design can strengthen historically disadvantaged communities.
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About the Program
The intent of the Division Scholar Program is to foster increased interest in the study of, and specialization in, urban design and historic preservation, and the interrelationship between these two areas of planning at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels.
Up to two paid scholarships are awarded annually. The term of the scholarship may span anywhere from six months to one year and will include approximately 80 work hours. The scholar will receive a stipend commensurate to the agreed-upon work hours. Scholars conduct their duties remotely, and report directly to the Division's Executive Committee.