Rudy Barbosa works at Trumark Home's Newport Beach office as part of his fellowship. Inset photo: Eric Nelson congratulates Barbosa. Photos by Han Parker
MURP student Rudy Barbosa is inaugural recipient
UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology has launched a new partnership with Trumark Homes that will provide graduate students with real-world experience in urban development and homebuilding.
Rudy Barbosa works at Trumark Home's Newport Beach office as part of his fellowship. Inset photo: Eric Nelson congratulates Barbosa. Photos by Han Parker
MURP student Rudy Barbosa is inaugural recipient
UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology has launched a new partnership with Trumark Homes that will provide graduate students with real-world experience in urban development and homebuilding.
Rudy Barbosa, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) student and 2021 social ecology alumnus, has been selected as the inaugural Trumark Homes Fellow — a distinction that comes with opportunity and responsibility.
“It is an honor to be selected as the first Trumark Homes Fellow,” Barbosa said. “This opportunity represents both a personal milestone and a chance to help shape a new model of collaboration between planning students and the homebuilding industry.”
Five-Year Commitment to Education
The Trumark Homes Fellowship represents an industry-academic partnership designed to prepare the next generation of planners for the realities of California’s housing challenges.
Eric Nelson, Trumark Homes' vice president of community development, recently presented the school with a $75,000 donation to establish the fellowship program. Over the next five years, one MURP student annually will receive the fellowship, which includes a $15,000 stipend and an internship opportunity at Trumark Homes’ Newport Beach headquarters.
The fellowship is designed to bridge the gap between academic planning theory and industry practice. Fellows will gain hands-on experience with the development process, including entitlement strategy, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, site planning, and stakeholder engagement.
“I am especially interested in understanding how planning goals are balanced with project feasibility,” Barbosa said. “I look forward to learning from Trumark's leadership and building skills that will help me contribute to more effective and equitable housing solutions.”
Beyond Construction: Understanding the Full Development Process
Nelson emphasized that the fellowship addresses a common misconception about the homebuilding industry.
“People don't realize that building homes is a small part of the work we do,” he said. “We can build homes in about 90 days, start to finish. But, it takes five years to get a permit. The industry encompasses many components — from financing and marketing to public policy.”
The goal, Nelson explained, is to educate future planners about the complexities of development while working collaboratively on solutions to urban planning challenges.
Looking Toward Graduation and Beyond
As Barbosa prepares to complete his MURP degree this spring, he envisions a career that bridges planning, policy, and development.
“My goal is to help deliver housing that is inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to community needs,” he said. “Whether in the public or private sector, I want to support projects that expand housing options and improve access for California families.”
— Mimi Ko Cruz