Leopold, an avid trail user, focused on the power of recreational trails as linear public space, and on his interest in the negotiation between public space and urban infrastructure. He worked with civic and non-profit institutions like the Rivanna Trails Foundation to expand the public interface with Charlottesville’s unique and complex system of recreational trails; a system he has dubbed “a kind of half-wild, half-urban public backyard”.

The 2025 Fellowship research encompassed a proposed restructuring of existing public-facing maps and wayfinding, a cartographic study of how the trails interact with the region’s daily life, and a vision of the system’s potential for years to come.

Dasani began her career in technology, including a tenure at Microsoft where she developed assistive technology for people with disabilities. Working directly with end users, she discovered accessibility challenges were as common in the built environment as they are in the digital landscape. This inspired Dasani to pivot to a career in Architecture, and she is currently in the second year of her Masters program at the UVA School of Architecture.

The 2024 Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship investigated the effectiveness of current accessibility code requirements in Charlottesville and identified opportunities to better incorporate the experiences of disabled residents into accessible design.

Jo was raised in Charlottesville and has been involved in organizing efforts focusing on tenants’ associations, anti-gentrification, and community-led redevelopment in different regions. Currently, Jo is a part-time staff member at the Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR) while pursuing her Master’s degree at UVA.

The 2023 Fellowship addressed a critical aspect of Charlottesville’s development: the commitment to racial equity and affordable housing goals in the Comprehensive Plan update and Rezoning process. Jo used her fellowship to create resources for the community engagement networks that had been established through the Cville Plans Together (CPT) Initiative.

The 2022 Fellowship Program developed strategies to engage underserved youth and teen populations through the built environment. Brandon spent a substantial part of his fellowship working directly with Charlottesville teens as well as as directors of teen programs in the area. The resulting project outlined small, medium, and large-scale strategies: everyday placemaking interventions, Charlottesville fellowship programs for teens, and site development strategies for architects and developers throughout the city.

Gabriel explored the ways that we as a community feel ownership over public spaces. Focusing on common public spaces such as alleys, streets, or under trees, Gabriel assembled a ‘catalog’ of everyday/guerrilla interventions using common objects to create this sense of ownership. The Fellowship culminated in a walking tour through the Downtown Mall, using objects to remake the alleys and streets we normally overlook.

The 2020 Fellowship Program explored the ways that community agriculture can contribute to land-use strategies in order to reinforce the wellbeing and food security of resident-led redevelopment projects in Charlottesville. Working with our resident relationships and existing food justice initiatives, Taha applied his interest in community health and gardens and his Architecture background to Charlottesville’s development projects specifically.

Amanda developed a Curriculum for faith congregations in Charlottesville whose missions align with affordable housing and caring for the homeless and aging populations. This immersive research project data-mapped potential sites for developing affordable housing and translated the City development process into an accessible tutorial. The resulting Curriculum assists communities of faith in identifying their opportunities and resources, becoming familiar with the development and design process, and implementing affordable housing as part of their mission.