Sarah Mills - Ann Arbor

Sarah Banas Mills is a graduate student in urban and regional planning at the University of Michigan. She was first appointed to the Ann Arbor planning commission in October 2014.

Sarah Mills. (Photo from the UM Graham Sustainability Institute website)

Her initial appointment to the planning commission was to fill the remainder of the term for Diane Giannola, who resigned. That term ran from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. She was re-appointed on May 18, 2015 for a term from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.

Mills was a collaborator in the summer 2014 performance of "Into the Wind," put on by Ann Arbor Dance Works. From her bio on the Ann Arbor Dance Works website:

Sarah Mills is a doctoral candidate in the Urban & Regional Planning Program at the University of Michigan, with a specialization in Survey Methodology. Her research focuses on the impact of energy projects sited in rural communities. Sarah's dissertation research uses interview and survey data to determine whether utility-scale windfarms reduce farmland conversion in urbanizing areas. Sarah holds a Master's degree in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University. She grew up on a farm in Maybee, Michigan. She lived in Sudan for two years, where she organized a food distribution program and developed a town’s first survey and town plan. Before returning to academia, Sarah worked as a consultant for the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program, creating marketing materials to encourage businesses and individuals to choose more energy-efficient appliances. She also led the Center for Science, Technology, and Sustainability at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) where she organized a range of workshops and panel discussions to promote dialogue between scientists and policymakers on energy and environmental issues.

Mills lives on Ann Arbor's west side, near West Park.

Timeline: Sarah Mills

May 18, 2015: Is re-appointed to the Ann Arbor planning commission for a term from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.
Oct. 20, 2014: Is appointed to the Ann Arbor planning commission to fill the remainder of the term for Diane Giannola. The term runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015.
2012: Wins the Robert and Judy Marans/Kan and Lillian Chen Fellowship in Sustainability and Survey Methodology.
2011: Begins study for doctorate degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan.
2010-2011: Works as a relief officer for the Lutheran World Federation in Kapoata, Sudan.
2006-2009: Works as a program associate for the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Center for Science, Technology and Sustainable Development
2005-2006: Works as senior analyst at The Cadmus Group Inc.
2005: Receives MPhil in engineering for sustainable development from the University of Cambridge.
2004: Receives B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University.