As a Community Development Professional, I bridge the gap between institutional resources and grassroots potential. Having worked across educational, government and global NGO sectors, I specialize in empowering low-income and resource-constrained communities to recognize their own agency and craft self-determined visions for growth.
My approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the unique challenges within diverse socio-economic environments. I am dedicated to fostering impactful, community-driven change and welcome opportunities to collaborate on missions that prioritize inclusive development.
Education
Master of Community Planning
University of Maryland
College Park, MD, United States
Bachelor of Architecture
University of Asia Pacific
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Work Experience
Manager (Present)
Foundation for Architecture and Community Equity (FACE)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Adjunct Faculty (Present)
Daffodil International University (DIU)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Housing and Community Development Planner
Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. (ACDS)
Annapolis, MD, USA
Community Planning Intern
Montgomery County Planning Department
Wheaton, MD, USA
Graduate Assistant (Urban Studies and Planning School)
University of Maryland
College Park, MD, USA
Senior Architect
BRAC Institute of Educational Development
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Publications
- Abel, Paul, A. Anderson, J. Elson, A. Islam, et al. 2023. Visioning Lakeland: Restorative Justice through Scenario planning. Digital Repository at the University of Maryland (DRUM). 1. December. https://drum.lib.umd.edu/items/cab2f9b3-219b-4256-87f3-8bd56d6ee1d8.
- Abdulrazaq, Sururah, Alanna Anderson, Maura Dwyer, Jona Elson, Sarah Haddad, Anonnya Islam, et al. 2023a. Exploring public access along the Anacostia River Trail system. Digital Repository at the University of Maryland (DRUM). https://drum.lib.umd.edu/items/6de0566a-fc60-49ef-8e08-4d01399a33dc.
Honors and Awards
- Outstanding Student Paper or Project by APA MD and MPCA (2024)
- Melvin Levin Outstanding MCP Student Award by UMD (2024)
- Fully funded study abroad fellowship program by MAPP, UMD (2024)
- Fully funded Master scholarship by URSP, UMD (2022- 2024)
- Fully funded fellowship for international training on Urban rainwater harvesting (2021)
- Winning Entry, Placemaking Category, Real Play City Challenge (2020)
- UAP Dean’s Honor List of Meritorious Student Award (2017, 2018)
Conferences and Trainings
- Presenter and Facilitator, Community Participation Seminar at Daffodil International University
- Presenter, International Children’s Day Webinar “Playscapes for all Children” at the Institute of Architects Bangladesh
- Professional Fellow, International Training on Rainwater Harvesting System by WaterAid
- National Delegate, Student Delegation Exposure Visit-cum-Training Program in India
- Public Space Survey with World Bank, Gehl Architects, DNCC Bangladesh
- Workshop on Synchronized Community Upgradation
- Workshop on Sustainable Building: Design & Material
- Workshop on Sustainable Urban Water Conservation and Management
Memberships and Affiliations
Member, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition (MAHC)
Student Member, American Planning Association (APA)
Associate Member, Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB)
Academic & Cultural Affairs Coordinator, Student Planning Association (SPA), UMD
If you like my work or interested in collaboration: