Student Organizations

There are many ways to get involved as a student at LARP!

LARP students at a Boston Landscape Architecture Tour

Community Building Group

The Community Building Group (CBG) is a student-organized social and community engagement group dedicated to connecting Sustainable Community Development students and making a positive impact both on campus and in the local community. From social gatherings to volunteer opportunities, CBG’s diverse range of events cater to all interests and passions. We work closely with local community initiatives to contribute to positive change.

Weekly Meetings: Mondays at 6:30 PM, Olver Design Building Room 360

Interested in joining? Email Eva Bergloff ([email protected]) or contact CBG Faculty Advisor, Peter Dunn ([email protected]).

Community Building Group Board Members

Learn about each of the board members for the 2025-2025 school year.

Andrew Simons

Co-facilitator, Community Building Group

Andrew Simons is a co-facilitator for the Community Building Group at UMass Amherst. As a Sustainable Community Development senior concentrating in City and Society, Andrew is interested in creating affordable, walkable, and people-oriented communities.

Eva Bergloff

Co-facilitator, Community Building Group

As the co-facilitator for the UMass Amherst Community Building Group, Eva coordinates and leads group meetings. She strives to facilitate a safe and inclusive environment so all members feel seen, supported, and involved.

Jack Gregory

Treasurer & Admin Chair, Community Building Group

Jack Gregory is a junior majoring in Sustainable Community Development at UMass Amherst. Outside of academics, Jack serves as the Treasurer and Administrative Chair for the Community Building Group.

Victoria Williams

Civic Engagement Coordinator, Community Building Group

Victoria Williams organizes CBG's civic events and initiatives, and connects with off-campus organizations to create volunteer partnerships.

LARP students and alumni hold up a tshirt of the Olver Design Building at the ASLA National Conference, 2023.

UMass BSLA Student Chapter

The Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA) is the oldest chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), founded in 1913. BSLA is one of the largest chapters in the nation with members throughout Massachusetts and Maine. The UMass BSLA Student Chapter represents all students studying landscape architecture at UMass Amherst, both undergraduate and graduate students, and welcomes participation by all.

Interested in joining? Please contact UMass BSLA Faculty Advisor, Mike Davidsohn ([email protected]).

BSLA Student Chapter E-Board Members

Learn about each of the board members for the 2025-2025 school year.

Trisha Bhattacharya

President, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Trisha Bhattacharya is a senior majoring in landscape architecture and serves as the President of the BSLA Student Chapter at UMass Amherst for the 2025-2025 school year. Trisha is passionate about landscape architecture that centers cultural history, ecological resilience, and green infrastructure, with a strong commitment to ethical and inclusive design.

Talia Spatz

Secretary, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Talia Spatz is a junior in the landscape architecture program and serves as the Secretary of the BSLA Student Chapter at UMass Amherst. One of Talia's career goals is to work internationally and learn about landscape architecture all around the world.

Owen Grandy

Treasurer, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Owen Grandy is a senior majoring in landscape architecture and serves as the Treasurer of the BSLA Student Chapter at UMass Amherst for the 2025-2026 school year. Owen is interested in private and public gardens, design as a problem-solving tool, and how landscapes can interact with memory, meaning, and culture.

Zeke Cochin

Graduate Representative, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Zeke Cochin earned a bachelor's in sustainable community development at UMass Amherst and is currently in his second year of the Master of Landscape Architecture program.

Ashlyn Segear

Social Media Coordinator, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Ashlyn Segear is a junior at UMass majoring in landscape architecture. In addition to a passion for designing public spaces that foster diversity and equity, Ashlyn is also interested in sustainable landscape practices, particularly stormwater management.

Dylan Kalina

Events Coordinator, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Dylan Kalina is a junior majoring in landscape architecture and serves as the Events Coordinator of the BSLA Student Chapter at UMass Amherst. Dylan is interested in designing lasting and meaningful public spaces, and is especially drawn to sensory gardens and small urban green spaces, such as pocket parks that provide purposeful experiences and offer an oasis.

Nina Fritsch

Graduate Representative, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Nina Fritsch is a Master of Landscape Architecture candidate with a background in fine arts and farming. She is interested in post-industrial landscapes and green infrastructure, including urban agriculture and urban forestry.

Rhapsody Espiritu

Co-Vice President, UMass BSLA Student Chapter

Driven by a passion for restoration and conservation, Rhapsody is interested in adaptive regenerative landscape designs that enhance the health of people and the planet.

Family, friends, faculty, and staff gather to celebrate LARP graduating seniors in the Design Building at UMass

Planning Student Organization

The Planning Student Organization (PSO) is an organization of first- and second-year, dual degree, and part‐time Masters and PhD Regional Planning students. PSO members work together to improve the Department’s curriculum, the LARP student experience, and professional networking opportunities. PSO officers and students organize social gatherings, such as potluck lunches, gatherings at local venues, orientation, hikes, and graduation festivities. They also lead fundraising initiatives. The PSO supports a portion of a student’s cost of attendance at planning-related conferences, as well as alumni panels and other networking events.

Interested in joining? Please contact Charlotte Collins (@email).

PSO Board Members

Grace Rennison

Co-president, PSO

Grace Rennison is a Master of Regional Planning candidate and Co-President of the UMass Amherst Planning Student Organization.

Charlotte Collins

Community Engagement Coordinator, PSO

Charlotte Collins (she/they) is a candidate for the Master in Regional Planning and the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Planning Student Organization at UMass Amherst. She is currently a part-time student set for graduation in Spring of 2028.