Meet Our 2025 Bursary Recipients

The CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund (CIP-PSTF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce our 2025 bursary recipients. This year, CIP-PSTF awarded nine bursaries, totalling $41,000 in financial assistance.

CIP-PSTF is the Canadian planning profession’s national charity, providing a scholarship, bursary, and award program to students in accredited planning programs in Canada. The sustainability of the scholarship and bursary programs is dependent on individual donations and corporate sponsorships. If you wish to support planning students through CIP-PSTF’s programs, please donate today.

CIP Diversity Impact Bursary ($5,000)

Cristina Sison Batalla, McGill University

“This bursary is both an encouragement and a responsibility—to continue learning from communities and advancing planning practices grounded in care, equity, and hope for our future. I am deeply grateful for the support that makes this work possible.”

CIP Diversity Impact Bursary ($5,000)

Amaan R Jabbar, Toronto Metropolitan University

“Receiving this bursary is an incredible honour and truly meaningful recognition of the work I have dedicated myself to as a planning student and emerging professional. It affirms the value of my commitment to equitable city-building, community-focused research, and the belief that planning can improve people’s everyday lives.”

CIP Diversity Impact Bursary ($5,000)

Shannon Chow, University of British Columbia

“Receiving the CIP Diversity Impact Bursary is a tremendous honour, and I'm grateful to CIP-PSTF for this support. This bursary allows me to dedicate more time to my studies and strengthens my commitment to working alongside communities advocating for systemic change and equitable futures.”

Ages Foundation Diversity Impact Bursary ($5,000)

Rajdeep Dhaliwal, University of British Columbia

“Receiving this CIP-PSTF bursary allows me to focus more fully on my studies and community-engaged planning work. It provides meaningful support as I continue developing the skills and relationships needed to contribute to just and accountable planning practice.”

SOAR Professional Services Indigenous Student Bursary ($5,000)

Nathaniel Willing, University of British Columbia

“Receiving this CIP-PSTF bursary means a great deal to me, as it supports my ability to study for future practice in planning with Indigenous communities throughout my master’s degree and beyond. This support helps ease the cost of education, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and continue working with Indigenous communities after graduation.”

College of Fellows Undergraduate Bursary ($5,000)

Rebecca Jeon, Toronto Metropolitan University

“I am honoured and deeply grateful to be the recipient of the 2025 College of Fellows Undergraduate Bursary. I sincerely thank the CIP-PSTF for this generous recognition of my dedication to the planning profession and for supporting my academic and professional growth, which I strive to apply through committed service to my communities and beyond.”

David Palubeski Bursary ($5,000)

Mackenzie Lockett, University of Calgary

“It is a profound honour to have been selected to be the recipient of the David Palubeski Bursary and to be recognized by CIP-PSTF. I am incredibly grateful for this financial support as I pursue my education and a future career in service to my community.”

Ted Fobert & Robert Tennant Planning Merit Bursary ($3,000)

Mo Li, Dalhousie University

"I am incredibly honoured and thankful to receive the Ted Fobert and Robert Tennant Planning Merit Bursary. Beyond the valuable financial assistance, this recognition is a powerful encouragement as I work toward a dedicated and impactful career in planning.”

John Bousfield Bursary ($3,000)

David Lee, University of Alberta

“Being awarded the John Bousfield Bursary is a great honour and motivates me to continue developing my commitment to and interest in the field of planning. I am incredibly grateful to CIP-PSTF for their financial support and the opportunity to attend the FUSION, CIP/OUQ’s national planning conference, which will provide valuable experience and inspiration for my academic and professional journey.”