Alumni Spotlight: Della Mutungi, AICP, MURP ‘22

For Della Mutungi, the transition from graduate student to practicing planner was seamless – a testament to the real-world focus and relationship-building emphasis of EWU’s Urban and Regional Planning program. As a city planner, she draws daily on both the technical skills and professional networks she developed during her time at Eastern.

From Theory to Practice

The program’s studio class proved instrumental in preparing Della for her career. “The studio class gave me real-world planning experience that I was able to transfer to my planning job,” she explains. But perhaps equally important were the connections she forged with professionals while still a student – relationships that continue to benefit her work today.

“The relationships built while still in the program made my transition to the professional world much easier,” Della notes. “Working as a planner at the city, I have continued to work with most of the practicing planners I met while in the program, in one way or another. Work is much easier when faces are familiar.”

What sets EWU’s program apart, according to Della, is its holistic approach to planner preparation. “The program focuses not only on technical skills, but soft skills needed to thrive in the planning world,” she emphasizes. This comprehensive preparation proved essential as she discovered the complex realities of municipal planning.

The program’s mentorship component also provided lasting value, introducing Della to planners with diverse experience whom she continues to learn from and emulate in her current role.

Spokane’s Unique Planning Context

Working in Spokane has given Della insight into the distinctive challenges facing mid-sized cities. “Spokane is neither a big city nor a small town, which can present a challenge for planners when balancing the pressure to grow with the residents’ desires to preserve its small city identity,” she observes.

However, Spokane’s scale also creates unique opportunities for meaningful community engagement. “Because Spokane is a small city, it’s easier to build lasting planner-resident relationships and more responsive planning processes,” Della explains. This relationship-centered approach to planning aligns perfectly with the collaborative skills emphasized in her graduate education.

A Transformed Perspective

Graduate school fundamentally changed how Della approaches planning challenges. “Before grad school, I believed in best practices and universal solutions to popular city problems,” she admits. Through the program, especially her studio class, she came to learn that each city and neighborhood has unique needs and political realities, and that the best solutions are often those that are locally grounded.

This evolution in thinking reflects a deeper understanding of cities as dynamic, complex systems. “I also learned that cities are not a finished product. They’re ever changing, and are shaped by not only policies but also people, politics, and relationships,” Della reflects. “The planner has to learn how to negotiate the differences between these factors to achieve a desired goal for the community.”

Balancing Skills for Success

Della applies this nuanced understanding in her daily work, recognizing that effective planning requires more than technical expertise. “Technical skills are important, but contextual judgement and collaboration are equally crucial,” she notes.

The relationships Della built during her time at EWU continue to be a source of professional support and growth. She maintains connections not only with fellow alumni working throughout the region but also with her former professors, whom she continues to consult as she navigates complex planning challenges.

“I have continued to rely on some of my professors while practicing, and I’m very thankful for those relationships,” she says.

Della’s experience illustrates the enduring value of EWU’s approach to planning education – one that combines rigorous technical training with relationship building, contextual understanding, and the soft skills essential for effective community engagement. Her success as a municipal planner demonstrates how the program’s emphasis on local knowledge and collaborative practice translates directly into professional effectiveness.