Carolyn Larsen

“I was looking for a program that would challenge me and support my growth, and I love that Taubman brings together professors and students from around the world who inspire each other creatively and intellectually.”

Academic Areas of Interest
Urban design, landscape architecture, community-driven design, sustainability, social housing, ecological resilience, health by design, trauma-informed design, equitable development

Hobbies or interests outside of academia
Traveling, photography, cooking

Why did you choose Taubman College as the right program for you?
When deliberating my graduate school options, the strength of the Taubman College community ultimately secured my decision. The professors, students, and alumni have created an inspiring environment to learn within and to be challenged by. I was also thrilled to live in Ann Arbor. As urban design students, we often look to the city for learning opportunities, and Ann Arbor has been an inspiring case study to learn from.

What is special or excites you about the Taubman community?
What excites me most about the Taubman community is the brilliance and diversity of the people here, which was a major factor in my decision to attend. I was looking for a program that would challenge me and support my growth, and I love that Taubman brings together professors and students from around the world who inspire each other creatively and intellectually. There is a real sense of curiosity and connection here, and people are eager to learn from one another and from the world around us.

How has Taubman’s career and professional development support prepared you for a successful career in your chosen field?
Even within my first few months at Taubman, I have had several valuable experiences with the career and professional development team. I had a one-on-one meeting to review my resume and receive personalized feedback, attended the career trek to Detroit, where we visited several firms I could see myself working at in the future, and recently participated in a workshop led by a career counselor to help us prepare for upcoming career fairs.

What advice would you give prospective students as they consider Taubman College?
I highly recommend reaching out to current students and professors to get a sense of what the program is really like, what challenges you might face, and what aspects will excite you the most. If at all possible, I would also recommend visiting Ann Arbor. It is a fantastic city with seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy art, music, and food.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work in urban design and community-driven development, especially focusing on projects that advance social equity, prioritize environmental resilience, confront history, and provide community healing.