Fresno State students can now earn a degree in City and Regional Planning from the College of Social Sciences. The Bachelor of Science program is the only such program in the Central Valley and began this fall 2017.
“We commend the efforts of Fresno State to deliver a City and Regional Planning degree program that will go far in serving the needs of our region,” said Brent McCaffrey, President of McCaffrey Homes. “We are thrilled to invest in the higher education of students in an area that is of critical importance for the future of our community.”
Brent McCaffrey joined Fresno State College of Social Sciences Interim Dean Michelle DenBeste and Geography Department Chair Michelle Calvarese to officially announce the new degree program at the McCaffrey corporate office.
“The College of Social Sciences is excited to finally be able to offer a degree program in City and Regional Planning,” DenBeste said. “The partnership with McCaffrey Homes will allow students hands-on opportunities to see the various phases of development as well as provide opportunities for research on all aspects of development from water conservation, to open spaces, to various types of residential and commercial development.”
The new degree program will provide students with hands-on experience in design and infrastructure featuring the new master-planned community, Tesoro Viejo, as a case study.
“Through this new degree program, students will have an opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experience by studying our new master-planned community, Tesoro Viejo, as a case study,” McCaffrey said.
“This diverse master-planned community will provide a unique learning opportunity for students from planning and design to implementation and everything in between.”
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Jointly owned by the McCaffrey and Lyles families, Tesoro Viejo is an award-winning, 1,600-acre master-planned community located off Highway 41 in Madera County’s designated growth area, Rio Mesa. The community will be a vibrant hub for southeast Madera County with housing and business opportunities, a walkable town center with open-air plaza, thriving industry, and neighborhood parks and schools. Recognized for its innovative design and sustainable living, the community will include more than 15 miles of trails; about 400 acres of parks, recreation, and open spaces; as well as an on-site Madera County fire station and Madera sheriff substation.
McCaffrey Homes is committed to the education of future city and regional planners. They awarded its first $5,000 McCaffrey-Knowlton Scholarship this year to Joshua Madeiros, a Fresno State student in the new City and Regional Planning program. The scholarship creates opportunities for future city planners by providing $25,000 in scholarships over five years. The scholarship is named for Brent McCaffrey and Ash Knowlton, family members who are continuing the legacy of giving back to the community.
