ABSTRACT
Diversifying the profession requires diverse students enrolled in urban planning programs to be mentored and exposed to professional practices. In this chapter, we discuss the utility of understanding professionalism as a continuum of experiences that helps students build skills and professional networks throughout their undergraduate education. We explore preliminary student data of departmental-level approaches at the University of North Texas to increasing retention of underrepresented student populations by helping them develop professional networks that reflect diversity and allowing students to see themselves represented in the field. Lastly, we outline strategies for addressing student diversity, recruitment, and retention.
