Faces of ENVD | Danielle Rivera
鈥淒anielle is an incredibly inspiring woman that has her hands full with research, publications, classes and a family and yet always brings a smile to those around her.鈥
鈥揊ellow Design Buff
Celebrate the small victories. When you look back in time, you can see how the small victories amass to larger accomplishments, but rarely in life do we feel massive shifts. Acknowledging the small victories provides the perspective needed to create/design bigger change.
What is your faculty/staff position?
Assistant Professor of Environmental Design
Where are you from?
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, but I spent most of my childhood living outside of State College, Pennsylvania in rural Appalachia.
What inspired you to come and work for ENVD?
ENVD's interdisciplinary mission is what caught my eye. The ability to teach and research across my backgrounds in architecture, urban design, and planning seemed like a rare opportunity. Over my time here, I've also increasingly developed skills in landscape architecture, which has deepened my teaching and research even more!
What do you miss the most about being in person on campus and ENVD
I miss seeing everyone! There was an energy in the building, especially during studio, that is difficult to replicate online. I also miss in-person studios and the ability to walk around and see what everyone is doing.
What has been one of your favorite memories so far, this academic year?
Working with my PLAN 3100 studio! Despite the challenges of remote learning, the PLAN 3100 students have worked very hard and have been inspiring and incredibly creative. I look forward to every class and can't wait to see their final projects!
What鈥檚 your go-to, non-Zoom activity when you get to take a break from your screen(s)?
Baking and gardening, which is a great combination! I absolutely love to bake and am always experimenting with new ideas. I've also been learning to garden and am quite bad at it, but it's refreshing to try learning something new!