At Asakura Robinson, we truly enjoy the fresh ideas, bright enthusiasm, and overall excitement that interns bring into the workplace. We are looking forward to making sure everyone feels welcome and well-integrated into firm life this year, and are excited to get to work with these four new faces and see all they accomplish this summer! You can read all about LaShayla Lumpkins, Izzy Wilde, Alyssa Harom, and Yu-Ching Shen below.
LaShayla is currently pusuing their Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota. Born and Riased in Louisiana, they have worked as an intern for the Community Development Director of the McComb-Veazey community development committee in Lafayette. As an intern they had the opportunity to work within the community that has shaped them to be the person they are today. LaShayla has an interest in understanding planning from a Black LGBTQ+ lens with their studies centering race, housing, and community development.
Prior to attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, LaShayla completed their Bachelor of Science in architectural studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They have gone on to express their passion for community building through creative outlets such as podcasting, photography, and videography. In their free time, LaShayla is reading books from the likes of authors such as Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and bell hooks or spinning a record from their record collection.
Izzy Wilde started her education in city planning with a passion for equity, sustainability, and bringing people together. Izzy grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Iowa State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Planning. During her time at Iowa State, she studied abroad at the University of Canberra in Australia, learning about indigenous representation in cities. Upon returning to Iowa, one of Izzy’s favorite positions was with the Polk County Housing Trust Fund. Here she was able to be an affordable housing advocate and research the impacts of racially restrictive housing practices on cities in Iowa.
Izzy now attends the University of Minnesota’s Master of Landscape Architecture Program. When not working, she enjoys taking care of her houseplants and going to the farmers market with her pet rabbit Tulip.
Alyssa Harmon’s interest in becoming a landscape architect is rooted in the desire to bring nature to all through intentional design. After working as a data analyst in the construction industry for six years, she was inspired to make her own “grey to green” movement while volunteering as a State Park Ambassador and Texas Master Naturalist with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. She later transitioned to a role in the native horticulture team at Memorial Park and enjoyed the outreach and stewardship aspects of their recent development, Eastern Glades. These experiences ultimately led to pursuing her Master of Landscape Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin where she will graduate in May 2024.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys kayaking, hiking, and working in her garden. She believes the best thing about growing plants is being able to share them with others!
Yu-Ching is a third-year MLA student whose goal is to create healthy environments for people to live in. She believes landscape architecture has chances to improve people’s daily life and protect environments with holistic views. She has already applied her interests in green infrastructure and LID design to many of her in-class studio projects, particularly in public open spaces. In the future, she hopes to use her professional abilities to benefit others and natural environments, specifically back in her hometown in Taiwan.
Yu-Ching’s upcoming final year study for her Masters at Texas A&M will look at mitigating flood risks in the Houston area. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Social and Regional Development, with a focus on urban planning and landscape architecture.
In her free time, she loves traveling with family and friends as well as learning about different cultures and customs. Playing with her dogs and cats is another big joy in her life!
