Erin is from Illinois and is in her second year of the three year MLA program.
3. What was your undergraduate degree and how did it influence your decision to pursue a MLA?
I earned dual B.A. degrees in Anthropology and International Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with minors in Geography and Environmental Studies. My undergraduate experience was deeply interdisciplinary, and it shaped the way I think about culture, land, and global systems. I became especially interested in how landscapes reflect social values and power structures, and how environmental change impacts communities differently. Pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture felt like a way to bring those interests into practice, to move from studying systems to designing within them.
6. What activities do you pursue outside the school?
Outside of school, I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors. I love hiking and gardening, and I’m always excited by opportunities to travel and experience new places. I also enjoy going out to eat with friends and exploring how food connects to culture and landscape. Those interests often overlap with my academic work and remind me why I was drawn to landscape architecture in the first place.
10. Why did you choose the School of Landscape Architecture at UTK?
I chose UTK SoLA because of its balanced approach to practical skill-building and critical theory. I was looking for a program where I could grow technically while still engaging deeply with questions about ecology, culture, and regional identity. The school’s strong connection to the Southeast and its sense of place were especially compelling. As a mid-sized program, SoLA offers meaningful opportunities for mentorship and development, and the supportive faculty, staff, and fellow students have made it an environment where I’ve felt encouraged to push myself and grow.
12. Did you have an internship or externship experience? What did you learn from it?
I interned with the Chattanooga Design Studio, where I worked on urban design and public realm projects at the neighborhood and city scale. Working in an urban design context expanded my understanding of what landscape architects can do, particularly in shaping streets, infrastructure, and civic spaces. I gained valuable experience seeing how ideas move from concept through community engagement and into implementation. The experience strengthened both my graphic communication skills and my confidence in professional practice.