Lulu Mickelson, B.A.

It is a joy to bring my 15 years of local government experience into the classroom at Cal Poly Humboldt. As a practitioner, my goal is to offer students a rich and applied academic experience that grapples with the messy realities of local government planning. 

My teaching features diverse and multidisciplinary perspectives, from planners and lawyers to activists and artists. I also expect to learn from my students. Each member of the class offers unique perspectives on local government based on their academic training and lived experiences. Drawing on my work as a facilitator, I seek to design learning experiences that are engaging, dynamic, and participatory. My hope is that we shape our class together. 

Professionally, I’ve had the honor of leading transformative initiatives with local governments that celebrate residents as experts and leaders. Currently, I consult with a range of community organizations and government teams. Recent efforts include incubating an indigenous-led Community Land Trust in Northern California and coaching a global network of cities in co-creating policies with caregivers.

Previously, I served as a Director of Housing Security Initiatives at the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, where I oversaw the implementation of more than $500 million in COVID-19 emergency funds to keep renters housed. Before that, I worked at the NYC Department of Housing, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the NYC Department of Small Business Services. 

I recently participated in the Landecker Democracy Fellowship, where I launched The People's Dreaming Collective – a global collective of radical public sector leaders dreaming up more compassionate, collaborative, and people-powered visions for local governance. 

I am committed to building a more just and loving future. For me, teaching is a part of shaping positive intergenerational change.