Ariyan Henry

Master of City and Regional Planning / Master of Public Informatics Class of 2027

Hometown: Woodbridge, NJ / Belize, Central America
Activities at Rutgers: President, Public Informatics Student Group; Vice President for Urban Planning, Bloustein Graduate Student Association

Ariyan Henry grew up watching many communities in Belize struggle during every hurricane season due to flooding and electricity instability. That experience shaped the questions she’s now pursuing at Rutgers’ Bloustein School.

Flooding from heavy rainfall and runoff from neighboring countries was a recurring reality, raising a question that has shaped her path ever since.

“I have always wondered what could be done to resolve this issue,” she says. “If we do not resolve the issue itself, how could we learn to live with this reality without upending lives year after year?”

That question brought her back to her alma mater. She realized that sustainable infrastructure could be the answer, so Environmental Sustainability became the goal. “When deciding to apply to graduate school, it was important that I started with the end in mind,” she says. “I knew what my goal was, so I had to figure out what path would get me there.”

That path led back to Rutgers. “I was delighted to learn that my alma mater offered the very program that I needed to achieve my goals, with one of the best urban planning programs in this region,” she says. The dual-degree track was the deciding factor: it pairs the ideas and plans for what can be done with the technical skills needed to put them into action.

 Ariyan is now pursuing a dual Master of City and Regional Planning/Master of Public Informatics degree at Bloustein, alongside a Certificate in Clean Energy.

“I chose the urban planning/public informatics track at Rutgers’ Bloustein School because it bridges the ideas and plans for what can be done with the technical skills needed to put them into action,” Ariyan said.

Since returning to Rutgers, Ariyan has stayed busy. At Bloustein, she serves as President of the Public Informatics Student Group and Vice President for Urban Planning of the Bloustein Graduate Student Association, and she interned in the Summer of 2026 with the Construction and Engineering Department at the Ocean County Utilities Authority.

“As an intern, I worked closely with engineers, learning the interdisciplinary processes of wastewater management and its often overlooked but deep importance to communities.”

One course has stood out: Communicating Science with Decision Makers, taught by Prof. Jeanne Herb. “In the professional world, efficiency could be dramatically increased with proper communication,” she says. “This class is less focused on science itself and more on the methods and principles of connection for effective communication. I believe this class should be mandatory for all programs.”

“Taking this class has given me a leg up by equipping me with the often-overlooked soft skills of effective communication and quick thinking to make connections that matter.”

That’s a pattern across her coursework: “With every class that I take, I immediately see the practical application and feel more equipped to step out into the workforce.”

Ariyan credits Bloustein’s faculty and staff as much as its coursework. They’ve offered mentorship, practical guidance, and professional connections that extend well beyond the classroom.

“Being successful in my career won’t always mean an elevation in lifestyle, but simply a breath of peace knowing that natural storms or disasters do not mean certain destruction and heartache,” she says. “Being able to apply my education, skills, and passion to create resilient communities and peaceful residents will mark success in my career.”

Outside the classroom, Ariyan, an undergraduate psychology major, enjoys learning about different cultures and perspectives, playing volleyball with friends, and traveling with family.

Her advice to prospective students: “Be open. When applying to school, we all have an idea of what we want, what we think it will be like, and what our personal journey may look like. But along the way, you make friends, you learn of new careers that you never thought about before, and you get exposed to opportunities that open a myriad of other opportunities. Be open and embrace the unknown with curiosity. It may lead you closer to your goal than you thought.”