April 30, 2026
Get to know Transportation Planner Jen Farris.
What did you study in college?
I studied psychology and sociology, with a focus on the built environment, aging, and health. I’ve always been interested in people—how they think, what influences their behavior, and how they form communities. When I discovered transportation planning, it highlighted the role planners can play in shaping welcoming, healthy, and accessible places.
How did you end up at DVRPC?
After finishing grad school, I wanted to try living in a place where I could easily get around without a car. That certainly narrowed my list of potential cities! I’ve had a blast exploring Philly on bike and on foot. I am truly living the brand as a planner on the Transit, Bicycle, and Pedestrian team. It is also, by far, the best city I've lived in for spotting cats in people’s windows– an added bonus on my daily commute :)
What is your favorite part of working at DVRPC?
My favorite part about working at DVRPC is my coworkers. People across the agency are involved in so many interesting projects, and I am always learning new things about the region from them. Folks here are creative, supportive, and genuinely committed to their work and the communities they serve.
If you could immediately implement any change to the region, what would you do?
Selfishly, I'd love it if the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers were clean enough to swim in. A little dunk in the river would be such a fun summer activity!
What is your work/life philosophy?
Infinity Medium. Balance is really important to me. While I am always setting new goals and intentions for myself in both work and life, it is important for me to find ways to make those changes sustainable.
What is something colleagues don’t know about you?
I love an excuse to celebrate! Whether a gathering is purely celebratory (like a platinum jubilee tea party–themed cat birthday), making a mundane task more fun (a tax party), or hosting a small guided reflection session with a small group of friends, I get excited about party themes and bringing folks together.
What is your favorite leisure activity?
My favorite leisure activity is a park plop. I love setting up a hammock on the SRT or bringing a blanket to a park in my neighborhood so I can read, listen to the birds, and people watch.
What is your recent obsession?
I recently adopted a cat, Mr. Bones, who I am obsessed with. Most of my camera roll is pictures of him sleeping in various positions around my apartment.
What are you looking forward to the most in the next year?
I’m still relatively new to Philly, so I’m looking forward to building my community here and getting more involved with local groups. I recently signed up for some art classes in my neighborhood, which I’m really excited about!