We are excited to shine the spotlight on the many talented interns we have in our office. Enjoy learning more about them, and what drives their work at OPCD. We will share more of these profiles in the future, stay tuned!
Megan Rose is our Planning and Equity Data intern, working with our data and analysis team to research and design community indicators that monitor progress towards the goals of our Comprehensive Plan. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Megan attended the University of Utah as an undergraduate with an Economics major, and is currently a grad student at the University of Washington pursuing a master’s degree in statistics.
In the future I see myself continuing to work in the public sector at the intersection of statistics and policy. I’m especially interested in local policy because it allows me to work closely with the community. What I love about this role is being able to collaborate with different city departments, getting to learn about how the city functions, and helping to improve how the community indicators are developed and shared.
Along with gearing up to monitor progress toward goals in the Comprehensive Plan, our data and analysis team provides tools to make it easy to see how the city is growing and to get key demographics for neighborhoods. We also maintain the Racial and Social Equity Index for helping inform priorities for place-based programs and investments. Megan shares our belief in relying on quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate whether policies are working and to understand where change is needed.
Data is important in achieving equity because it allows us to identify and measure inequities in key areas like housing affordability, displacement risk, and access to resources such as transit and grocery stores, especially in communities that have been historically underserved. When data is shared in ways that are clear and accessible, residents can use them to better understand conditions in their neighborhoods and advocate for the resources and policies their communities need.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys reading, going on long walks in her neighborhood, and trying out new recipes. Her not-so-secret talent is being a leader on the University of Utah women’s Track and Field team as a short sprinter. She ran the first leg of the 4×100 meter relay team that qualified for and competed at the 2025 NCAA outdoor national championships, and they currently hold the school record. She also holds the second‑fastest 60m time in program history! Megan receives a lot of inspiration in life from her parents.
My dad is the kind of person who leaves a positive impression on everyone he meets and he’s always willing to help and brighten someone’s day. My mom is one of the kindest and most loving people I know, and her support has played a major role in my growth and success. Both of them inspire me every day!