Alumni Spotlight: Cassidy Olheiser, BAURP ’25

Fresh from completing her Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning degree at Eastern Washington University in 2025, Cassidy Olheiser has seamlessly transitioned into her role as a Planner with SCJ Alliance, a prominent 100% employee-owned consulting firm specializing in planning, civil engineering, and environmental services across the Pacific Northwest.

Cassidy’s journey from student to professional planner exemplifies how EWU’s urban planning program effectively bridges academic learning with real-world application, preparing graduates to tackle the complex challenges facing communities today.

Building on Strong Foundations

The comprehensive education Cassidy received at EWU provided her with essential tools for success in the consulting world. “EWU’s urban planning program gave me a solid foundation in planning theory and best practices that I could build upon whenever I started my career as a planner,” she explains. This theoretical grounding has proven invaluable as she works with SCJ Alliance’s diverse clientele on projects that span municipal planning, environmental assessment, and community development.

What set Cassidy’s educational experience apart was the program’s emphasis on practical application. During her time at EWU, she had the opportunity to work on actual projects in the greater Spokane region as part of her core planning classes. These experiences weren’t just academic exercises—they became legitimate planning experiences she could showcase on her resume. “I had the opportunity to work on a few ‘real-world’ projects in the greater Spokane region for some core planning classes and was able to include those on my resume as planning experience,” she notes.

This hands-on approach to learning prepared Cassidy for the varied and client-focused work she now performs at SCJ Alliance, where projects are often tailored to the individual needs of communities and require creative problem-solving skills.

The Spokane Advantage

Cassidy credits the Spokane region’s dynamic planning environment as a key factor in her educational and professional development. The area offers an unusually rich landscape of opportunities for aspiring planners. “Spokane offers many opportunities for planners; there are many local governments within the area that employ planners, as well as consultant firms, to gain a wide range of experience,” she observes.

More importantly, the greater Spokane region is experiencing significant transformation, creating real-time learning opportunities for students and professionals alike. “The greater Spokane region has gone through a major transition and is facing new challenges and opportunities that planners are working on daily and that serve as a great learning environment,” Cassidy explains. This dynamic environment has allowed her to witness and participate in planning processes that address contemporary urban challenges, from downtown revitalization to sustainable development practices.

The Power of Professional Networks

One of the most valuable aspects of Cassidy’s EWU experience has been the professional relationships she cultivated during her studies. These connections have proven instrumental in launching her career and continue to support her professional growth. “The relationships I formed with peers, professors, and alumni helped me tremendously when interviewing for internships, which then developed into my career as a planner,” she reflects.

Understanding the long-term value of these connections, Cassidy actively maintains and strengthens her network. “I continue to keep and strengthen those connections I made to extend my network and develop my skills as a planner,” she says. This approach reflects the collaborative nature of the planning profession, where success often depends on building partnerships across sectors and jurisdictions.

Making an Impact at SCJ Alliance

At SCJ Alliance, Cassidy is part of a firm that has been nationally recognized for award-winning projects and as a great place to work. The company’s employee-owned structure and commitment to community-building designs align well with the values and collaborative approach she developed during her time at EWU. Working out of SCJ’s Spokane office, she contributes to projects that span the Pacific Northwest and beyond, providing both private and municipal planning expertise.

Her work encompasses the full spectrum of planning activities, from community engagement and code updates to comprehensive planning processes—all areas where her EWU education provided strong preparation. The theoretical foundation she gained in school, combined with the practical experience from her student projects, has enabled her to hit the ground running in the consulting environment.

A Model for Success

Cassidy’s smooth transition from student to practicing planner demonstrates the effectiveness of EWU’s approach to planning education. Her experience highlights several key elements that contribute to student success: strong theoretical foundations, hands-on project experience, access to a dynamic regional planning environment, and the cultivation of lasting professional relationships.

For current students and prospective planners, Cassidy’s path illustrates how engaging fully with both the academic and practical aspects of the program can create opportunities that extend well beyond graduation. Her continued commitment to professional networking and skill development shows how the learning and relationship-building that begins at EWU forms the foundation for a successful planning career.

As Cassidy continues to grow in her role at SCJ Alliance, she carries forward the collaborative spirit and comprehensive approach to planning that defines EWU’s program, contributing to projects that will shape communities across the Pacific Northwest for years to come.