Lillian Gibson ’25 to Receive NYC Urban Fellowship

What will you be doing next year as a NYC Urban Fellow?
As an NYC Urban fellow, I will gain a hands-on approach to learning about public policy by receiving a placement in a New York City agency and attending various seminars on urban issues. I wanted to apply to this fellowship because I was searching for an opportunity to work in an urban planning-related position and gain experience working with public policy on a local level. I am interested in doing local work around urban issues in the future, so I saw this program as a way to gain meaningful experience. 

How does this fellowship align with your career goals?
It will prepare me for future work in public policy advocacy, non-profits, or other local government work. It will also prepare me for eventually attending graduate school for a master's in city planning, environmental policy and urban planning, or urban history. 

How does this fellowship build on your previous studies and activities and Oberlin?
The fellowship builds on the work I have done throughout my history major, as well as my work that focuses on the Oberlin community and beyond. Specifically, classes like Doing Local History and my honors thesis allow me to look at various urban issues and highlight the stories of everyday people who are impacting their communities in profound ways. 

My honors thesis focuses on transit activism and community organizing history in my hometown neighborhood of Dorchester in Boston, Massachusetts. This project allowed me to gain a deeper perspective on urban planning issues in the neighborhood by talking with residents and neighborhood development corporations. 

Through the Green EDGE Fund, I found it deeply rewarding to help bring people’s sustainable project ideas to fruition through grant monies, feedback, and support for projects. Additionally, at the Oberlin Heritage Center, I gained meaningful archival experience by looking through oral history transcripts, creating and editing educational history videos, and taking part in community events. This work at Oberlin truly informed my career goals and the kind of work I want to keep doing that centers the local community and focuses on positive change. 

How did Oberlin shape or influence you as an academic, thinker, and person?
Both inside and outside the classroom, Oberlin allows me to lean into the interdisciplinary nature of my studies. My professors have encouraged me to dive deeper into the topics that interest me and not shy away from opportunities or my unique interests. This has allowed me to have passions that I can foster in different ways. I think my honors thesis really acts as a culmination of my academic work and guidance from multiple professors and staff members at Oberlin. Also, witnessing my friends’ passions and seeing how they do not place themselves in one box makes me willing to be unapologetic about my interests. 

What’s the best advice you received while you were at Oberlin?
I think one critical piece of advice one professor gave me is taking time to rest, especially as a Black person in academia. As I am starting this fellowship in the fall and considering pursuing graduate school in the future, finding balance and continuing to pour into things that matter to me without overextending myself is always something I will keep in the back of my mind. No matter where I am I will try to find ways to connect with not only my academic interests but my passion for music. As I start this fellowship, making time for myself to be in nature and surrounded by music will be essential to keep me grounded. 

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