Community Connection: Lesley Peréz ‘26 MSUP & ‘27 MS.Arch
7 Questions with Lesley Peréz ‘26 MSUP & ‘27 MS.Arch
“From a young age I have been connected to communities, and wish to keep spreading that feeling with others, especially in our underserved communities. I want policy and design to unify to create meaningful spaces that will inspire others to continue the dream. This dual degree program gives me that opportunity.”
Lesley Peréz came to CAPLA driven by a love for community. She strives to create spaces that intentionally connect and uplift those in them. Here, she is turning a pillar of her childhood into a passionate and fulfilling career.
Hear about how her time at CAPLA pursuing two graduate degrees is bringing her dream life into focus.
1. What inspired you to purse a dual degree in MSUP and MS.Arch?
My inspiration for my dual degree stems from my own childhood. I grew up in East Los Ángeles and vividly remember scrambling across the city by foot or bus with my mom from a young age. My mom alone would commute on the bus for over an hour each way to get to and from work to be able to provide for us. We were fortunate enough to live in a part of Los Ángeles that was pedestrian and transportation friendly, but not everyone is fortunate enough to live in an area like this.
I want others to be able to experience this type of accessible and equitable lifestyle. I am really interested in both the policy and design aspects of the built environment. As our communities grow, I want to make sure we are creating communities where people are able to thrive and connect.
2. What has been the most rewarding part of your journey at CAPLA so far? What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at the college?
The most rewarding part has been the community and connections I have been able to build here. Not just in the urban planning and architecture programs, but across the variety of programs CAPLA offers to both undergraduate and graduate students.
My biggest accomplishment was during my first year here. I was a graduate researcher for the Arizona Research Center for Housing and Economic Solutions (ARCHES), under the supervision of Professors Daniel Kuhlmann and Kenny H. Wong. This led to me co-authoring a report on an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy with Paul George-Blazevich, a fellow student.
3. What has been your favorite course so far, and what made it so impactful?
My favorite course so far has been “Design Studio 1” with Lecturer Greg Veitch. It was a heavy course load in such a short period of time, but he got us to really understand the material and some of the ways an architect’s mind may work.
He challenged us in a variety of ways that had us pushing our own thought processes and believed in us even when we questioned ourselves. The studio helped me understand more about the foundation between urban planning and architecture.
4. Have there been any faculty members who have had a big impact on you? What made them stand out?
Two professors have had big impacts during my time here. The first is Dr. Arlie Adkins, who from the start (alongside Gretchen Luhr) encouraged me to pursue the dual degree when I came to them about the idea. He is very knowledgeable in his field and taught me so much about urban planning that I did not know before. Arlie is a patient and caring professor who cares about us all and wants to see us succeed during our time here.
The second professor is Dra. Sandra Bernal, who started off as my supervisor for my TA position. The opportunity to work with her and capstone students from Peru has been wonderful. Under her guidance, I have explored a variety of ideas for my Urban Planning Capstone and Architecture Thesis. She is very supportive and has helped me believe in my own ideas when I was doubting myself.
I am honored to be mentored by these two wonderful professors.
5. Are you involved in any extracurricular activities on campus, and if so, can you tell me about them?
I currently serve as a CAPLA student ambassador. I assist with a variety of events that the school offers throughout the year, plus interact with admitted and potential students on and off campus. I enjoy being on the team of student ambassadors who wish to create a welcoming environment for all.
I am also a member of the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning and Design (ISAPD). ISAPD is an organization that focuses on increasing the knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous architecture, planning and design in both academia and the professional field. The chapter here has gone out of its way to connect with the community. Within this last year, they have represented at events such as Parking Day, the Navajo Nation Parade and a STEAM fair at a local school.
6. What are your plans/goals for your future career? How will this dual degree help you achieve them?
My long-term goal is to become a consultant in the urban planning, design and transportation realm both locally and internationally. There are amazing firms that do work and research across the globe, and I would love to be part of that process one day.
From a young age I have been connected to communities, and wish to keep spreading that feeling with others, especially in our underserved communities. I want policy and design to unify to create meaningful spaces that will inspire others to continue the dream.
This dual degree program gives me that opportunity, plus I get to explore a variety of courses that will allow me to apply the knowledge to my Capstone Project and Research Thesis when I graduate.
7. What advice would you give students thinking about pursuing a graduate dual degree?
I highly encourage it if you are able to! You leave with a wide skillset and network of people. You never know what type of amazing opportunities you might get during your time here or after. You learn more about yourself as a person and will flourish in a variety of ways. Don’t be afraid to push yourself! Some goals are closer than we think.
