Ben Cramer
Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2027
Hometown: Madison, WI
Activities at Rutgers: Rutgers Senator, Bloustein Graduate Student Association
Ben Cramer was drawn to the Bloustein School by a combination of academic reputation, mentorship, and opportunity.
Now a Master of City and Regional Planning student with a community development focus, he knew he wanted to study urban planning at a public state institution in a major urban region. “I was drawn to the fact that the Bloustein School’s MCRP program consistently ranks among the top in the country,” he began.
“I was also impressed by the support I received from Bloustein staff and faculty during the application process. Their willingness to meet with me, answer questions, and establish a strong relationship before I ever even stepped foot in New Jersey was very welcoming.” A strong financial aid package sealed the decision.
His path to urban planning began early. “I think my mom had it pinned that I would want to study urban planning since I was a teenager. She noticed that I didn’t just enjoy spending time in cities; I tried to understand how they worked and how their unique histories have formed them into what they are today,” he remembers.
That curiosity led him to an undergraduate degree in Human Geography at the University of Wisconsin and segued into urban planning and community development. What draws him to the field, he explains, is the people: “I appreciate neighborhoods and the people that work each day to make their communities their own. Meeting people and learning about their own pride and hopes for where they live is what drives me to want to pursue this field.”
At Bloustein, Ben counts Prof. David Listokin as one of his greatest mentors. During a spring graduate studio that paired Bloustein students with students from Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts, Ben noted that Dr. Listokin’s experience was a guiding factor in his success. “We worked to create an exhibit showcasing the history of public housing here in New Brunswick. It was an inspirational project that I hope can drive future collaborations between Bloustein and Mason Gross.”
He also secured an internship with Strategic Communities Planning and Consulting, a community development strategy firm. There, he works with neighborhood groups across New Jersey involved in the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program, engaging in projects “spanning from establishing the initial neighborhood plan to yearly grant applications to the community development work the groups have set out to complete with their awarded funds.”
“Being at Rutgers has indeed been everything I hoped it would be,” Ben says. “I have always felt prepared for what to expect. I can participate in the courses, extracurriculars, and additional opportunities that drew me to the program in the first place. I have continued to receive the support I need from all staff and faculty and feel that I have numerous strong mentors here at Bloustein.”
The move from Madison, Wisc. to New Jersey has also been a highlight. “It has been a lot of fun to experience a new university atmosphere and live in a new place. There is much to see in New Jersey, and I love the diversity of history, cities, and communities I can easily access by train and bicycle. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
In the future Ben hopes to return to the Rust Belt/Great Lakes Region to build a community development career. “It’s an important cultural, economic, and naturally beautiful part of the United States that will be an important urban region in the coming years. I am inspired by the resilient communities that call cities from Trenton to Buffalo to Pittsburgh to Detroit and Milwaukee home,” he said.
“I hope I can one day join them and use what I have learned here at Rutgers to help generate further good.”
He encourages prospective students to not be afraid to ask questions. “Every staff and faculty member, current student or alumni want to help you achieve your own goals as a planning and/or master’s student. There is strength in numbers. The more people you can talk to during the application process, the more you will be able to understand what is the right fit for you.”
Personally, Ben is a self-described adventurer. Every day, he tries to find something new to experience or learn. The summer has included throwing his bike on the train and riding new paths through various New Jersey and Pennsylvania towns. He also traveled to Peru and Chile for an adventure with his younger brother.
“I love having friends across the country and the world, as it gives me the reason to travel and see them. I want to learn from everyone and appreciate the little fun adventures I can have in each day of my life.”