Honoring Excellence: UIC CUPPA Alumni Awards Celebrate Michael A. Pagano and Jasmine Gunn
A Night of Celebration
Honoring Excellence: UIC CUPPA Alumni Association Awards Celebrate Michael A. Pagano and Jasmine Gunn
On April 8, 2025, the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) Alumni Association hosted its annual Alumni Association Awards Reception, a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding contributions to urban planning, public administration, and community leadership.
“For more than twenty years, The Jim Marek Alumni Appreciation Award has served as a meaningful way to recognize people who have made extraordinary contributions to CUPPA and the fields of urban planning and public administration throughout their careers. It has been inspiring to see the wide impact the Marek Award recipients have made in government, business, nonprofit organizations, academia, and beyond,” said Nicole Langert, president of the CUPPA Alumni Association.
“The Emerging Leader Award, established in 2024, now provides an opportunity to celebrate young and early-career professionals who are making a difference in our communities and giving back to CUPPA. We are honored to show our appreciation for individuals who exemplify the values of CUPPA and UIC.”
The event recognized two exceptional individuals this year: Michael A. Pagano, retired dean and professor emeritus, and Jasmine Gunn, MUPP ’18, whose achievements reflect the spirit of CUPPA’s mission.
Michael A. Pagano: A Legacy of Leadership
Pagano received the prestigious Jim Marek Alumni Appreciation Award for his extraordinary dedication to CUPPA and its students. Pagano’s career at UIC spanned over two decades, during which he transformed CUPPA into a nationally recognized institution for urban governance and finance research. As dean from 2007 to 2021, Pagano spearheaded initiatives such as founding the Government Finance Research Center and establishing the Dean’s Council to bridge academia with civic leadership. His efforts secured nearly $18 million in donations, created endowment funds, and expanded CUPPA’s visibility both locally and internationally.
Pagano’s leadership was characterized by fairness, transparency, and a deep commitment to collaboration across departments. His contributions extended beyond CUPPA; he briefly served as interim dean of UIC’s College of Business Administration and participated in numerous university-wide committees.
“Dean Pagano’s clear passion for public service was an inspiration to me personally as a student. He continued to inspire me in my work with the alumni board – providing thoughtful and meaningful updates about the college and its ever-expanding sphere of influence. It was Dean Pagano’s leadership that led the alumni board to establish the Last Mile Fund, helping financially struggling students finish their last few courses toward graduation. Mike’s impact on CUPPA can only be described as profound and lasting,” said Patrick Coogan, CUPPA Alumni Association vice president.
Jasmine Gunn: Emerging Leader
Jasmine Gunn was honored with the Emerging Leader Award in recognition of her remarkable achievements early in her career. Gunn has consistently demonstrated leadership and commitment to community development since graduating from CUPPA in 2018. A city planner V at the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), leading projects that advance equitable growth across the city.
Jasmine has project-managed initiatives like the $5.3B Red Line Extension Transit Supportive Development Plan and the 95th Street Corridor Plan, which is DPD’s first plan to integrate a health and racial equity impact assessment. Previously, she led affordable housing efforts at Claretian Associates, helping to secure $20M of investment for South Chicago, and conducted research at UIC’s Voorhees Center. As an Adjunct Professor at UIC, she teaches the Metropolitan Housing Course that educates students on affordable housing development policies and trends. Jasmine’s areas of professional interest are community and economic development, equity, and social justice.
“I had the pleasure to know Jasmine through many classes during our cohort (2016 – 2018), and she was a great leader and partner on events at school, the Society of Black Urban Planners, and at the Voorhees Center (where we were cubical neighbors). I recall during our planning lab on the Red Line Extension, hearing long term residents describe the project almost like a ghost — always present in the community, but unresolved; A project promised for so long, no one believed it would happen. To now see Jasmine’s planning leadership for the 95th Street Corridor and being one of the leaders to ensure this project benefits the community, I believe she absolutely deserves this award and is showcasing planning practices that we can all follow to make our own work better,” said Nicholas Zettel, CUPPA MUPP ’18, who nominated Jasmine for the award.
The Emerging Leader Award celebrates individuals within their first decade of professional practice who have made significant contributions to their field. Gunn embodies this ideal through her impactful work in housing justice and community engagement. Her passion for creating equitable urban spaces continues to inspire her peers and strengthen Chicago’s neighborhoods.
A Night of Celebration
The awards reception highlighted the enduring legacy of the CUPPA family and their transformative influence on urban planning and public affairs. With Pagano’s lifetime achievements setting a gold standard for leadership and Gunn’s promising career paving the way for future innovation, the evening underscored CUPPA’s commitment to fostering excellence across generations.
As attendees reflected on the honorees’ accomplishments, one sentiment resonated: their work exemplifies CUPPA’s mission to shape cities that are inclusive, sustainable, and thriving for all residents.