The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jackson State University would like to introduce you to our featured alumna, Giahanna Bridges, MA. She graduated in December 2018 with a concentration in Community Development and Housing. Giahanna chose to pursue a degree in Urban Planning because she wanted to see her hometown of Jackson, MS excel in the area of economic development. Her impression while driving down Farish Street was that it had pretty much become a ghost town. This areas was once a street filled with black-owned thriving businesses. She felt that North Jackson looked noticeably different than South and West Jackson and she wanted to know why. Her drive as a native Jacksonian is fueled by her wanting to contribute to Jackson becoming a competitive and thriving city.
Giahanna is a third generation Jacksonian as her paternal grandmother and both of her parents are JSU Alumni. The choice for college was easy for her as she wanted to continue the family legacy.
All Master of Arts students in the program are required to complete an internship and Giahanna has the distinction of learning at the Mississippi Urban Research Center (MURC). They are also housed in the 101 West Capitol Street building with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in downtown Jackson. Her experience taught her to document everything, triple check her research, and network with those who can guide her on the right path.
Currently, she is the only City Planner and Brownfield Program Manager for the City of Monroe, LA. Her role as the Brownfields Program Manager includes overseeing the day to day redevelopment of commercial property that would normally be considered hazardous to the neighborhood. She co-authors comprehensive plans and ordinances, input new business applications and reviews site plans as the City Planner.
Her ultimate goals include becoming the Planning and Zoning Director for the City of Jackson and to own the top all-female planning consulting firm in the State of Mississippi. Giahanna believes community engagement is the best way to inform the public and even potential students about the planning filed. Beyond planning, her long term goal is to become the first female African American Governor of the State of Mississippi. Her short term goals are to open a home health agency certified through Medicaid and Medicare and open up a full service spa in Jackson