Meet the 2026 Andre Anderson Minority Scholarship Recipient
Lauryn Ballard
By Lauryn Ballard
I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 Andre Anderson Minority Scholarship. This recognition affirms my aspirations of contributing to public service spaces while also advancing equitable planning practices across Florida.
My path to urban and regional planning began in the Florida House of Representatives, where I served as a Legislative Aide and gained firsthand insight into how statewide policy decisions shape local communities. I later transitioned to local government as a Commission Aide in Miami-Dade County, working at the intersection of land use, zoning, infrastructure, and constituent engagement. These experiences revealed how planning decisions directly influence opportunity, mobility, and quality of life.
My passion for transportation planning was shaped through involvement in initiatives such as Miami-Dade County’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit Plan. Supporting efforts related to transit corridors and community engagement showed me that transportation goes beyond infrastructure. It is access to jobs, education, health care, and economic mobility. In South Florida, where congestion and climate vulnerability present ongoing challenges, equitable and multimodal transportation systems are essential to long-term resilience.
Today, I continue building my interest in planning as an administrative assistant in the City Manager’s Office for the City of Hollywood. There, I help support civic engagement initiatives, grant administration, and community-focused programs. Working at the municipal level has strengthened my understanding of how policy translates into implementation and how meaningful community engagement shapes more effective outcomes.
As a first-generation graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida, this scholarship eases financial pressures and allows me to focus fully on my academic and professional development. I am grateful for this support and remain committed to honoring Andre Anderson’s legacy through inclusive, forward-thinking planning that strengthens Florida’s communities.