Joe Nieciak is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Transportation Planning and Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University. His undergraduate degree is in Geography with a concentration in Urban Planning from DePaul University in Chicago. His professional background includes employment in local government finances, as well as transportation-related internships with the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Chicago Department of Transportation. Joe’s specialized interest is in Public Transportation Planning and his goal is to improve the quality and experiences of public transportation users in an effort to encourage greater usage throughout the country. The main theme of his education is to fully comprehend public transportation systems and their effects on developmental patterns and the environment. He seeks to study how public transportation systems function, how to improve their desirability, and methods to improving their speed, reliability, and efficiency. Upon successful graduation, he seeks to utilize the skills attained from his Polytechnic education, and apply them directly to helping transit agencies create a more seamless system for the future.