Talia Kertsman
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Atherton, CA
Focus: Housing Equity, Social Justice, Spatiality of identity in the urban environment
Bio: Talia is a junior double majoring in Geography and CEP with a minor in Urban Design & Planning. She’s also in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and had a great experience being a 2019 Honors Peer Educator where she spent time working with her peers to create engaging and fun lesson plans for the honors freshmen cohort. She is happy to answer any questions about these academic communities! Outside of the classroom Talia is involved with the UW musical theatre RSO, Stage Notes, as both a performer and a member of the officer board. She is also a UW Campus Tour Guide.
As a CEPster Talia centers a social justice lens on issues of equity and access in housing, community development, and environmental sustainability. She wants to reconceptualize physical spaces that currently “other and oppress” people, and instead imagine ones that invite them in, particularly where they are not currently rendered visible nor welcome, and the CEP community has been an important space for her to ask meaningful questions and better understand how we can use the build environment to create more equitable and just systems and spaces for all.
Favorite Place in Seattle: I love Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle Center! Literally one of the coolest places ever.
Why did you choose CEP? I wanted to be part of a cohort-based program that would challenge me to think differently about the world while offering me tools and a network to help me achieve my personal and academic goals.
Hobbies/Extracurriculars: Singing and dancing, traveling, and cooking.
Favorite thing to do over quarantine? I’ve loved going on long walks and either listening to podcasts or talking with friends and family on the phone.
Favorite Movie: The Hundred-Foot Journey
Favorite Food: The hardest question, but maybe carne asada tacos with white onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
Ask me about… double majoring, CEP experience, out-of-state student experience, navigating the Disability Resources for Students office, time-management!