Meet Our Fellows
Destiny Polk
Image: Destiny Polk
Destiny Polk is a Graduate Research Fellow at the Institute of Urban Studies (IUS) located at the UTA Fort Worth Center. Destiny is pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Community and Planning Development and she serves as the events coordinator for the UTA Student Planning Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Destiny’s research at the Institute focuses on Housing for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care, a research initiative on sustainable, small-site housing solutions that can successfully assist youth aging out as they transition into independent adulthood.
Before joining the IUS, Destiny worked as a designer for a private firm, conducting design-driven spatial planning and analysis for commercial spaces in DFW. In addition to her academic pursuits, she engages in freelance work on residential projects and enjoys traveling. Inspired by the book, Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design, she is passionate about amplifying diverse perspectives in community planning and understanding limitations to sustainable solutions.
When Destiny was asked, “What do you like about working at the IUS as a Graduate Research Fellow?” she replied, “I enjoy that the IUS provides a collaborative and hands-on urban research experience that enhances my project management skills and deepens my understanding of policy, design planning, and community needs, while also allowing me to work directly with stakeholders and the local community”.
Destiny career goal is to work with communities worldwide to bridge gaps in urban research and planning in future efforts. Her time at the IUS has allowed her to gain urban interdisciplinary experience.
“The hands-on work experience at the IUS,” Destiny noted, “has allowed me to explore the intersection of policy, community engagement, and sustainable design.”