The Voorhees Center Welcomes Jasmine Gunn as This Year’s Practitioner in Residence

Jasmine Gunn brings her experience in housing policy and equitable community development work to the Voorhees Center.

The Voorhees Center had the pleasure of hosting outstanding community leaders - Kevin Jackson, Angela Hurlock, and Heather Parish - over the last three years as Janet L. Smith Practitioner in Residence. All have contributed to the work of the Voorhees Center in expanding our outreach and engagement efforts. Their participation in the program is a prime example of the university’s continued commitment to engagement with communities.

We are happy to report that Jasmine Gunn, who is not new to the Voorhees Center or CUPPA, has agreed to join us as the fourth ‘Practitioner in Residence’ for the coming year starting in August 2025. Jasmine is a graduate of the MUPP Program, a Voorhees Center RA for two years, and an adjunct professor in the UPP program. Jasmine currently works in the city Department of Planning and Development and has extensive experience in community work – we are pleased to welcome her back.

A professional deeply rooted in community development and housing policy, Jasmine is dedicated to advancing equitable urban development through a combination of public, nonprofit, and academic roles. As City Planner V for the City of Chicago, she led the award-winning comprehensive development plan for the $5.3 billion Red Line Extension Transit Supportive Development plan.

The JLS Practitioner in Residence Program is an opportunity to deepen student engagement, collaborate on research, mentor the next generation of planners, and maintain strong ties between the university and communities working for change.