In addition to pursuing a PhD, I have worked as a Senior Planner at two design firms in the Midwest.
The work samples below were completed during these positions.
M-104 Corridor Study, 2026 [DRAFT]
Contributions:
• researched, composed, and designed entire document
For two waterfront communities in Michigan, the main thoroughfare warranted a closer look. This corridor study, performed for the Village of Spring Lake and Spring Lake Township, took a deep dive into the historical context and existing conditions of the 3.4-mile stretch of state trunkline in Ottawa County. Matthew led the research, graphic design, communication, and composition of a full draft technical report summarizing the corridor’s current character and setting the stage for future public input on the roadway. Notable components of the analysis included highly detailed mapping of aesthetic elements along the corridor — including all public signage and billboards — and a definition of four roadway character typologies. A real estate data analysis demonstrated the negative effect the corridor exerts on the property values of parcels located directly along the highway, while traffic collision and moving violation data rounded out a comprehensive portrait of the corridor.
State of the County Report, 2026
Contributions:
• researched, composed, and designed entire document
This review of demographic and economic trends provides key data for where the county has been and where it wants to head. To analyze a variety of data sources, I employed geospatial techniques and data visualization that illuminate nuanced trends for a general audience. One of the report’s critical findings was an illustration of taxable land value by acreage for each of the county’s 30 subdivisions — demonstrating that traditional, dense, compact development patterns create more fiscally sustainable conditions.
Cassopolis Master Plan, 2026
Contributions:
• graphic design
• light narrative editing
Coldwater Master Plan, 2026
Contributions:
• researched, composed, and designed Chapter 2: Coldwater Today
• comprehensive graphic design and document layout
Hilltop Community Plan, 2021
As Senior Planner for a local non-profit, I built meaningful relationships with Hilltop neighbors that helped inform the plan’s approach and objectives. Drawing on hours of one-on-one time with lifelong residents, I designed a people-first engagement process with customized activities sustained over an 18-month planning effort. The result was a rich, action-oriented plan that captured the lived experience of Hilltop residents and set the stage for achievable implementation.