Sandra Gray is a second year student in the Masters in Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) program in the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, specializing in community development. She graduated June 2004 with a bachelor's degree in political science from Seattle University. Sandra has experience working in low income communities, specifically focusing on issues related to homelessness, education, housing, and crime. She is interested in issues of displacement, gentrification, commodifying culture, and community organizing. She is a first year research assistant with UICNI and will be working on the New Directions project as well as constructing informational materials for UICNI.