Future Leaders In Planning (FLIP) Summer Series 2021

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FLIP 2021 has ended.

This page is intended for registered participants of the 2021 Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program.


FLIP is the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) leadership development program for high school and college students in northeastern Illinois. FLIP is a free summer program where students learn about the issues that shape our region and meet and interact with leaders who make key planning decisions in our communities.


Here, you will find a variety of tools and resources that will be useful throughout the program.


  • Program schedule: See a brief overview of the topics we’ll cover each week.
  • Videos and FAQ's: Get an introduction to planning and some of the topics we’ll be covering
  • Session information: Click on each week to get additional details, tools, including homework assignments for that specific week.
  • Who are your Peers? Answer these quick questions to get to know your peers better!
  • Places we call home: Drop a pin on the map to let your peers know where you will be joining us from.

This page is intended for registered participants of the 2021 Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program.


FLIP is the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) leadership development program for high school and college students in northeastern Illinois. FLIP is a free summer program where students learn about the issues that shape our region and meet and interact with leaders who make key planning decisions in our communities.


Here, you will find a variety of tools and resources that will be useful throughout the program.


  • Program schedule: See a brief overview of the topics we’ll cover each week.
  • Videos and FAQ's: Get an introduction to planning and some of the topics we’ll be covering
  • Session information: Click on each week to get additional details, tools, including homework assignments for that specific week.
  • Who are your Peers? Answer these quick questions to get to know your peers better!
  • Places we call home: Drop a pin on the map to let your peers know where you will be joining us from.

Meet your peers!

Welcome to your first week at FLIP! We're all looking forward to spending the next few weeks together in learning more about urban planning and learning  more about you.

To start, please introduce yourself:

  • Tell us your name
  • What year you're entering
  • What you hope to learn from this program
  • What's your favorite thing to do in the summer 

Feel free to mention any questions you may have either about the program, or to each other! We're all coming with different interests and expertise, so getting to know your peers is the first step in building for a great summer.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Eryn Nelken on Facebook Share Eryn Nelken on X (formerly Twitter) Share Eryn Nelken on Linkedin Email Eryn Nelken link

    Eryn Nelken

    by Nelken, about 5 years ago
    Hello my friends! My name is Eryn Nelken and I'm just a few credits away from getting my associate's degree from Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. I hope to transfer for the rest of my degree by next year somewhere in Chicago or Illinois. I've been fortunate enough to be able to travel (in the far off past of pre-covid), and have always found myself curious when walking foreign cities as to why and how things ended up where they did. I hope to learn about the City of Chicago and how to improve it and other cities. My... Continue reading
    Hello my friends! My name is Eryn Nelken and I'm just a few credits away from getting my associate's degree from Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. I hope to transfer for the rest of my degree by next year somewhere in Chicago or Illinois. I've been fortunate enough to be able to travel (in the far off past of pre-covid), and have always found myself curious when walking foreign cities as to why and how things ended up where they did. I hope to learn about the City of Chicago and how to improve it and other cities. My favorite thing to do over the summer is having the time to visit my international family; as well as work the Renaissance Faire in Bristol, Wisconsin. Let me know if you want cheap tickets!


    I look forward to getting to know all of you!
  • Share Krishna Davis on Facebook Share Krishna Davis on X (formerly Twitter) Share Krishna Davis on Linkedin Email Krishna Davis link

    Krishna Davis

    by Krishna Davis, about 5 years ago
    Hi everyone! My name is Krishna Davis, and I graduated from Payton College Prep high school in 2020. I've been taking a gap year before starting college to work at the Food Depository in Chicago. I've traveled to numerous different communities in and around Chicago this year, and am interested in learning more about the policies and history that have shaped them, as well as strategies to design and implement solutions to problems/inequities. My favorite summer activities in Chicago are biking the lakefront trail and trying different ice cream places.
    Hi everyone! My name is Krishna Davis, and I graduated from Payton College Prep high school in 2020. I've been taking a gap year before starting college to work at the Food Depository in Chicago. I've traveled to numerous different communities in and around Chicago this year, and am interested in learning more about the policies and history that have shaped them, as well as strategies to design and implement solutions to problems/inequities. My favorite summer activities in Chicago are biking the lakefront trail and trying different ice cream places.
  • Share Greg Schaefer on Facebook Share Greg Schaefer on X (formerly Twitter) Share Greg Schaefer on Linkedin Email Greg Schaefer link

    Greg Schaefer

    by gregschaefer239, about 5 years ago
    Hi all, I'm Greg Schaefer and a rising high school senior at Northside College Prep. I am interested in learning about planning transportation and housing and how to work with the community and deal opposition to projects in these areas. I love to go to different parks over the summer and people-watch!
    Hi all, I'm Greg Schaefer and a rising high school senior at Northside College Prep. I am interested in learning about planning transportation and housing and how to work with the community and deal opposition to projects in these areas. I love to go to different parks over the summer and people-watch!
  • Share Jonathan Ngoy on Facebook Share Jonathan Ngoy on X (formerly Twitter) Share Jonathan Ngoy on Linkedin Email Jonathan Ngoy link

    Jonathan Ngoy

    by jngoy, about 5 years ago
    Hello everyone! My name is Jonathan Ngoy. I am a rising freshman at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN but I was born and raised in the northwest suburbs. I am majoring in civil engineering and hope to learn more about urban planning so that I can well informed decisions while working in the civil engineering industry.
    Hello everyone! My name is Jonathan Ngoy. I am a rising freshman at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN but I was born and raised in the northwest suburbs. I am majoring in civil engineering and hope to learn more about urban planning so that I can well informed decisions while working in the civil engineering industry.
  • Share Kennedy Causby on Facebook Share Kennedy Causby on X (formerly Twitter) Share Kennedy Causby on Linkedin Email Kennedy Causby link

    Kennedy Causby

    by kcausby, about 5 years ago
    Hello! My name is Kennedy. I am a junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign studying urban planning with a concentration in policy and social justice. I hope to learn how to be a better community leader and learn more about the city and support it effectively. I love my garden and hang out by the lake in the summer!
    Hello! My name is Kennedy. I am a junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign studying urban planning with a concentration in policy and social justice. I hope to learn how to be a better community leader and learn more about the city and support it effectively. I love my garden and hang out by the lake in the summer!
  • Share Bryce Wilson on Facebook Share Bryce Wilson on X (formerly Twitter) Share Bryce Wilson on Linkedin Email Bryce Wilson link

    Bryce Wilson

    by brycewilson165, about 5 years ago
    Hello, my name is Bryce Wilson and I am an upcoming Junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Throughout this program, I hope to learn more about the thought process that goes into Urban Planning and how different approaches can come up with different but successful plans for land usage. During the summer I love to go on road trips and hang out with my friends.
    Hello, my name is Bryce Wilson and I am an upcoming Junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Throughout this program, I hope to learn more about the thought process that goes into Urban Planning and how different approaches can come up with different but successful plans for land usage. During the summer I love to go on road trips and hang out with my friends.
  • Share Hannah Kapur on Facebook Share Hannah Kapur on X (formerly Twitter) Share Hannah Kapur on Linkedin Email Hannah Kapur link

    Hannah Kapur

    by hannahkapur, about 5 years ago
    Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Kapur and I attend Vernon Hills High School, set to graduate May 2022! I hope to learn how urban planning can impact communities and contribute to creating a more equitable future for the following generations. I also hope the knowledge I acquire can aid me in becoming more informed about my community. My favorite things to do in summer are binging shows I need to catch up on and redoing my room!
    Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Kapur and I attend Vernon Hills High School, set to graduate May 2022! I hope to learn how urban planning can impact communities and contribute to creating a more equitable future for the following generations. I also hope the knowledge I acquire can aid me in becoming more informed about my community. My favorite things to do in summer are binging shows I need to catch up on and redoing my room!
  • Share Shannon Glass on Facebook Share Shannon Glass on X (formerly Twitter) Share Shannon Glass on Linkedin Email Shannon Glass link

    Shannon Glass

    by shannonerin, about 5 years ago
    Hello! My name is Shannon Glass. I am a senior at Northeastern Illinois University, and I will be graduating in December. I'm hoping to gain a better perspective into how urban planning shapes our communities and how we can leverage that knowledge to make better, more equitable places to live and work. I also want to bring that knowledge back to the work I do with my local community organizations. My favorite things are getting Italian ice at Mario's on Taylor St. followed up with a visit to Buckingham Fountain and also our annual summer road trip.
    Hello! My name is Shannon Glass. I am a senior at Northeastern Illinois University, and I will be graduating in December. I'm hoping to gain a better perspective into how urban planning shapes our communities and how we can leverage that knowledge to make better, more equitable places to live and work. I also want to bring that knowledge back to the work I do with my local community organizations. My favorite things are getting Italian ice at Mario's on Taylor St. followed up with a visit to Buckingham Fountain and also our annual summer road trip.
  • Share Jacob Solomon on Facebook Share Jacob Solomon on X (formerly Twitter) Share Jacob Solomon on Linkedin Email Jacob Solomon link

    Jacob Solomon

    by jsolomon, about 5 years ago
    Hello, my name is Jacob Solomon and I will be entering my third year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am majoring in Environmental Science and I hope to learn about the significance on how the environment correlates to urban planning within the Chicagoland area. My favorite things to do in the summer are to hang out with friends, play videogames, and playing the piano.
    Hello, my name is Jacob Solomon and I will be entering my third year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am majoring in Environmental Science and I hope to learn about the significance on how the environment correlates to urban planning within the Chicagoland area. My favorite things to do in the summer are to hang out with friends, play videogames, and playing the piano.
  • Share Vinnie Ordinario on Facebook Share Vinnie Ordinario on X (formerly Twitter) Share Vinnie Ordinario on Linkedin Email Vinnie Ordinario link

    Vinnie Ordinario

    by rovor312, about 5 years ago

    Hey, Y'all! My Name is Vinnie Ordinario, and I am a rising senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago ( UIC). I am studying Public Policy, but I have gone through many trials and tribulations getting to this point, both academically and personally. As a Chicago Resident, CPS Alumni, and UIC Student, I've experience Chicago, I've seen Chicago, and I will always love Chicago. What I hope to learn from this program is more understanding of Urban Planning and Chicagoland Development, as it is so vital to the growth and prominence of Chicago as a major city for today... Continue reading

    Hey, Y'all! My Name is Vinnie Ordinario, and I am a rising senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago ( UIC). I am studying Public Policy, but I have gone through many trials and tribulations getting to this point, both academically and personally. As a Chicago Resident, CPS Alumni, and UIC Student, I've experience Chicago, I've seen Chicago, and I will always love Chicago. What I hope to learn from this program is more understanding of Urban Planning and Chicagoland Development, as it is so vital to the growth and prominence of Chicago as a major city for today and for the future. I have read a bit on the growth of Chicago from its founding to its growth in the 1950s-1960s, especially on the effects of Richard J. Daley on the city, and the impacts those developments had on the neighborhoods of Chicago. I would love to learn more about the deep-seated segregation of Chicago and Chicagoland, and how to combat that in some way with Urban Planning and development.

    My favorite thing to do in the summer is finding a nice forest preserve, State Park, or simply road less traveled, and getting lost in nature, or finding a new way around.