Henry Hart Rice Urban Studies Fellowship

The Henry Hart Rice Urban Studies Fellowship, endowed by the Rice Family Foundation, is awarded to outstanding students who demonstrate a commitment to bringing their scholarship and expertise to bear upon significant urban issues. The fellowship provides full tuition support for one new student each year.

The fellowship is named after Henry Hart Rice, who was a leader in the world of residential and commercial real estate for six decades. An industry senior statesman, public servant, author, and lecturer, Mr. Rice conceived and developed projects throughout the US and Canada, but made his biggest impact on New York City real estate and urban planning. He was instrumental in preserving and landmarking Carnegie Hall and in the development of Lincoln Center Plaza. He led the real estate development of Fresh Meadows in Queens and organized the land assembly that led to the creation of Barney’s on Madison Avenue.

Henry Hart Rice also held key government posts early in his career and helped write the original NYC rent-control rules. Mr. Rice served as the chairman of James Felt Realty Services for almost 40 years. He was also a governor of the Real Estate Board of New York and a member of the New York City Public Development Corporation.

FELLOWSHIP CRITERIA

Demonstrated commitment to bringing your expertise to bear upon significant urban issues
Passion for learning and problem-solving
Thoughtful and articulate communication, both verbal and written
Steadfast dedication, emotional maturity, and flexibility under adverse conditions
Demonstrated success in a first career

FELLOWSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Must be a full-time student
Finish the degree in two years
Enrolled in the Master of Public Administration or Master of Urban Planning program
Must be a US citizen or Permanent resident

Students applying to dual degree programs with other NYU schools are not eligible for NYU Wagner Named Fellowship programs.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your Fellowship Application Essay along with your online application to NYU Wagner. Fellowship applicants must also submit a one-minute video essay.
Those selected as fellowship semi-finalists will be invited to participate in Zoom interviews.
Those selected as fellowship finalists will be invited for a virtual interview with the Selection Committee. This panel of judges will be composed of representatives from sponsoring organizations, faculty, and NYU Wagner alumni.

Current Fellows

Francesca Haass (MUP 2026) — 2024 Fellow

Francesca Haass is currently pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at NYU Wagner, building on her extensive experience in public sector innovation and strategic planning. She most recently served as the Director of Policy and Planning at the New York City Department of Sanitation, where she led key initiatives including the trash containerization program and citywide organics collection. Prior to this, Francesca was a policy advisor for former-Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign, oversaw critical governance reforms as the Director of Management Initiatives for the State of Missouri, and worked for macroeconomic investment fund Bridgewater Associates. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Middlebury College and is dedicated to advancing policies for a more liveable, vibrant, and sustainable New York City.

Will Viederman (MPA 2025) - 2023 Fellow

Will Viederman is a Master of Public Administration candidate. He is interested in the intersections of housing and economic development, with a focus specifically on urban economics and inclusive economic growth. Prior to joining Wagner, he served as the policy manager for the Housing Authority of New Haven, CT, and helped run organizing campaigns for statewide zoning reforms in Connecticut. He has also managed and worked on electoral campaigns in Connecticut, Colorado, and Virginia and co-founded a nonprofit to improve entry-level campaign hiring practices. He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with distinction from Yale University in 2017.

ALUMNI Fellows

Calley Shi-yao Wang (MUP 2024) - 2022 Fellow

Calley Shi-yao Wang is pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at NYU Wagner. He is interested in the use of technology and advocacy to improve urban transportation, with an eye to learning globally and acting locally. Prior to joining Wagner, Calley worked as an engineer at General Motors in a variety of roles, including software development, safety investigation, and electrical architecture. He also served as a board member for Motor City Freedom Riders, a nonprofit advocating for better public transit in the Detroit metropolitan area. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2017 with a B.A. in computer science.

Jennah Gosciak (MUP 2023) - 2021 Fellow

Jennah Gosciak graduated with a Master of Urban Planning and served as a Henry Hart Rice Urban Studies Fellow during their time at NYU Wagner. They're interested in the intersections of urban planning and data science, specifically leveraging the power of open data to improve policymaking in cities and support community-driven initiatives. Prior to Wagner, Jennah worked as a programmer at Mathematica, where they supported RCTs, impact evaluations, and descriptive studies on policy issues related to education, child welfare, labor, and family support. Jennah graduated from Brown University in 2019 with a B.A. in applied mathematics and urban studies.

Jane Bartman (MUP 2022) - 2020 Fellow

Jane Bartman graduated from NYU’s Master of Urban Planning program in 2022. She is a Manager on the Sustainability team at Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consulting firm that works with mayors’ offices to improve residents’ lives. In this role, she supports priority city initiatives, with a focus on decarbonization efforts. While at NYU, Jane interned with NYC's Housing Development Corporation with the support of the Rice Fellowship, assisting with affordable housing project closings and analyzing the potential for a green loan program. She also interned at the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, was a Research Assistant for the Furman Center, and worked as a Housing Fellow at Bloomberg Associates. Prior to graduate school, Jane worked as a Manager on Bloomberg Associates’ Municipal Integrity team, and led real estate market feasibility analyses at the Concord Group. Jane received her AB with honors in Geography and International Studies from the University of Chicago.

Katherine Rivard (MUP 2021) - 2019 Fellow

Katherine Rivard (MUP 2021) earned her Master of Urban Planning with a focus on international development and planning. She received her bachelor's in culture and politics from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Prior to joining Wagner, Katherine served as a project assistant on political development programs in the Balkans. Her passion for community building and urban revitalization led to hands-on learning opportunities during her graduate studies, including an internship with the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs and a research assistantship with NYU Furman Center.

Melinda Hanson (MUP 2014) - 2013 Fellow

"NYU Wagner gave me the skills and connections to transition from a career in philanthropy to a career in urban planning and policy. In addition to quality courses, I got to work with NYU research institutes on projects directly relevant to pressing NYC transportation issues." Melinda is co-founder and Principal at Electric Avenue, a public affairs and mobility strategy firm working with companies, non-profits, and city agencies to move car trips to micro-EVs. She’s spent her career working at the intersection of transport and climate, including as Head of Sustainability at Bird, Deputy Director at NACTO, and Portfolio Manager at the ClimateWorks Foundation. Highlights include implementing tactical urbanism projects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; contributing to the master plan for a Bus Rapid Transit Project in Peshawar, Pakistan; and supporting research and advocacy to pass the Obama administration’s landmark fuel economy standards.