Get to know David J. Peters

Hello!

My name is David J. Peters. I am an upcoming graduate of Miami University in Oxford Ohio.

My major is Urban & Regional Planning with a certificate in GIS. I am passionate about using maps to help preserve historical areas and improve the lives of the people living in, working in or visiting those places.

I was born and raised in Kansas City Missouri, but I've lived in a lot of different places.

Seven states, to be exact!

Although I like being at home in Ohio, I also like to travel. Through my former career as an over-the-road truck driver, as well as personal travel, I have visited all lower 48 states. My most recent state was North Dakota, which I visited in 2021.

My favorite place to go is to our condo in Madeira Beach Florida. I like being in the sunshine and enjoying the beautiful weather that the Tampa area has to offer.

The condo is across the street from John's Pass, a famous tourist attraction that offers shopping, dining and entertainment. There's never a dull moment!

We try to visit as much as possible, but usually end up making the journey 2-3 times per year - whether it's just for the weekend or for a full fledged vacation, we have a great time in Madeira Beach.

I am very close with my grandmother, brother, sister and many nieces and nephews.

In 2020, I used internet records to help my grandmother find her long lost sister that she had not seen in over 70 years. The two have reconnected and I was honored to be part of it.

Most of my family lives in Kansas City, but as I often say, "it's just a 10-hour drive - no problem!"

I guess that's just the Midwesterner in me!

I was born in Kansas City Missouri, and I lived all over the area when I was young. When I was in elementary school, I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. I had been inspired by many great educators and I wanted to do my part in being inspirational to future generations.

When I was fifteen, my father passed away from a heart attack. I had to work to help support my family, and my plans of attending college and becoming a teacher were put on the back burner. I managed to complete a few classes, but working and supporting my family became the priority. My mother passed away when I was 26, and my siblings were old enough to support themselves. Around this time, I decided to earn my commercial driver's license and I became an over-the-road truck driver.

During my trucking days, I visited many places with vastly diverse cultural and physical geography. I started to feel a passion for understanding local geographies, as well as a passion for developing maps of the places that I had visited. I started to learn more about geography, mapping and planning. I decided that it was time for me to return to school and finish my education. I will graduate in May 2023 with a degree in Urban & Regional Planning and a GIS certificate.

Although I initially wanted to be a teacher, I believe that a career in urban planning and GIS will allow me to interact with the public and inspire future generations through making communities more sustainable and better places to live. I believe that this is what I was always meant to do.

Although I do not consider myself a victim, I have overcome many obstacles. We were very poor, my father did not have the ability to read, and I was slowly falling into a cycle of poverty that has plagued my family for generations. I decided to break that cycle and I am proud to say that it is projected that I will graduate from Miami University cum laude. I have never let anything stand in my way from success, and I never will. Hard work, determination and doing the right thing have led my path out of generational poverty and they will lead my path through a successful career and a future where I can help those in similar situations overcome adversity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know that it is hard to get to know someone based on a resume and portfolio, and I hope that this story map gave you a sense of who I am.

If you have any questions, feel free to call or email me. I look forward to hearing from you.