About Us
First created in 2011, SUPSO represents enrolled students of diverse backgrounds from around the world. Our students are working professionals who attend classes in the evening throughout the week. Our program successfully covers the diverse palette of topics that span the urban planning profession. SUPSO is proud to be a part of the GW Student Association (SA).
OUR MISSION
SUPSO facilitates networking and community building among students and in the professional world, creating a unique educational experience valuing healthy urban landscapes that are socially equitable, economically resilient, and environmentally just.
OUR CORE VALUES
Our core values are: Active Learning, Advocacy, Democracy, Diversity, Research and World Engagement.
Active Learning empowers stakeholders by giving them shared responsibility for outcomes.
Advocacy involves using the knowledge and language of cities to promote objectively desirable results that further the public good – especially in the decision-making arena, and in the face of competing interests.
Democracy is key to planning in order to ensure that planning activities reflect the interests of the whole and not only those of an individual/s or otherwise narrow constituency.
Diversity in the planning process matters because decisions must reflect the plurality the cultures, landscapes, people, societies, and systems that they impact.
Research is the engine of knowledge creation, and the scientific method is responsible for centuries of human progress.
World Engagement involves proactively looking outward to find opportunities to learn from and collaborate with others from nearby – and around the globe.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Our student government consists of nine board members who work in tandem to support students throughout the academic year. The current student government holds office for AY2023-2024, beginning May 1, 2023.
The next set of SUPSO elections for AY2024-2025 will take place in April 2024. Students interested in getting involved with the board as a Committee Member can contact our Member at Large, Michael Shenk at rshenk03@gwmail.gwu.edu.