Charisha Gao

Urban Planning and Design, Class of 2025

• Minor: Data Science
• Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
• Activities at Rutgers: Member of EJB DESIGNS, Blueprint Product Management Fellow

  With New York City in close proximity, East Brunswick, NJ native Charisha Gao found herself navigating the public transit systems of New Jersey and New York with ease—and joy. “I loved having the agency to travel wherever I wanted without a car,” she said. Those experiences sparked a deeper curiosity: why did some cities prioritize having options for public transit, while others felt completely car-dependent? That question would go on to shape her academic journey and her future career choice. An Urban Planning and Design major with a minor in data science, Charisha knew early on that she wanted to explore how cities are shaped and how those decisions impact the people living in them. “My experiences using public transit in New Jersey and New York made me curious about how towns and cities were designed and why certain places are more car-dependent than others. This ultimately inspired me to choose urban planning and design as my major.” Her time at Rutgers has been filled with meaningful connections and learning experiences. “I chose Rutgers because of its diverse community and abundance of clubs, student organizations, and research opportunities,” she said. “My undergrad experience at Rutgers and Bloustein was a lot of fun because I had the opportunity to take interesting classes, join clubs that aligned with my interests, and meet so many new people.” Among those experiences, her work with Professor Bernadette Baird-Zars stands out. After taking Methods of Planning and Analysis in the spring of her junior year, Charisha found both a mentor and an avenue for research. “Throughout the semester, Professor Baird-Zars met with me to discuss ideas and existing research on basic needs insecurity,” she said. Their conversations led to Charisha joining her research team studying integration and affordable housing. “Doing research and working with Professor Baird-Zars helped shape my interest in pursuing a career that works with underserved communities to create change at the local scale.” That passion for community engagement extends outside the classroom as well. Charisha volunteers with Rutgers’ Basic Needs Center and works as a barista at a local café—roles that keep her grounded and connected to the people and places around her. “I currently enjoy working as a barista, where I get to drink unlimited cold brew,” she said, smiling. Looking ahead, she hopes to gain hands-on experience in community development after graduation, with an eye toward applying to graduate school in the future. “In the near future, I want to gain practical experience and (hopefully) work for a community development organization.” To students considering the urban planning major, Charisha emphasizes the importance of curiosity and interdisciplinarity. “Urban planning is most interesting when it’s used in combination with, or analyzed through, the lens of another discipline,” she said. “Definitely take advantage of the opportunity to declare a minor and all the resources, chances for connection, and interdisciplinary collaboration that a large university like Rutgers offers.” Outside of her academic and professional work, Charisha finds joy in simple things: reading Toni Morrison at the beach, watching The O.C., and playing music with friends—small moments that reflect her thoughtful, creative, and people-centered approach to life and planning.