Ken Reardon
About Ken Reardon
Ken Reardon is a Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Urban Planning and Community Development at UMass Boston, with extensive experience in urban planning and community development. He has held various academic positions, including at Cornell University and the University of Illinois, and has received multiple awards for his contributions to equity-oriented development policies.
Current Role at UMass Boston
Ken Reardon serves as a Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Urban Planning and Community Development at UMass Boston. He has held this position since 2015, contributing to the academic and practical aspects of urban planning. His role involves overseeing the graduate program, shaping curriculum, and mentoring students in their professional development.
Previous Academic Positions
Prior to his current role, Ken Reardon held various academic positions. He worked at Cornell University as a Lecturer/Director for the NYC Field and International Study Program from 1984 to 1990. He then served at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an Assistant and Associate Professor from 1990 to 1999. Later, he returned to Cornell University as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning from 2000 to 2009.
Educational Background
Ken Reardon has an extensive educational background in urban planning and sociology. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst between 1973 and 1975. He then obtained a Master of Urban Planning from Hunter College from 1980 to 1982. He completed his Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning at Cornell University from 1982 to 1984. Additionally, he pursued a Post-Doctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota, focusing on Minority Communities and Public Policy from 1994 to 1996.
Recognitions and Awards
Ken Reardon has received several accolades for his contributions to urban planning and community development. He has been recognized with the AICP Presidents Award, the Dale Prize of Excellence in Urban Planning, and the Ehrlich Award for Engaged Scholarship. These awards highlight his leadership in equity-oriented development policies and participatory planning processes.
Experience in Community Development
With over thirty-five years of experience, Ken Reardon has focused on supporting resident-led change in economically distressed urban and rural communities both in the United States and internationally. His work emphasizes the importance of community engagement and participatory approaches in urban planning.