PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2025 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

by Rachel Hazzard
September 5, 2025

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PIDC is proud to announce the seventh-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walter D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership at PIDC; his many years of service to Philadelphia’s business, civic, and governmental communities; and his support for people across the profession. 

For the seventh year of the scholarship, Kacie Cassar and Vaibhavi Dave have been selected as our scholarship winners. Scholarship recipients will each receive a $2,500 scholarship and a paid PIDC internship. Read on to learn more about our new scholarship recipients

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Kacie Cassar

she/her/hers

Hometown:  Lansdale, PA

Education:

  • J.D. Candidate, Temple University Beasley School of Law (expected 2027)
  • M.A. in Public History, Royal Holloway University of London & M.A. in History, Salisbury University
  • B.A. in History, Psychology, & International Studies, Salisbury University

I am honored to be a D’Alessio Scholarship recipient! PIDC’s mission to promote inclusive growth, support small businesses, and strengthen Philadelphia’s neighborhoods resonates with my own commitment to public interest law and historic preservation.  This scholarship empowers me to continue pursuing a career at the intersection of law, preservation, and community development and I am excited to continue exploring that with PIDC through an internship this spring. Thank you PIDC for all of your support in my academic journey!” 


About Kacie

Kacie Cassar is a J.D. candidate at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law within its evening division, where she is pursuing a career in public interest law with a focus on historic preservation, cultural heritage, and community advocacy. Alongside her studies, she serves as Evening Vice President of the Student Bar Association and the Night Owls organization, serving as an advocate for evening students. Kacie works full time as a Senior Meetings and Events Coordinator at the Jack Miller Center, where she manages academic programming and events on civic education. Deeply involved in her community, Kacie has volunteered with historical societies, interned at historic sites, and continues to engage with local preservation and public interest initiatives.

Fun Fact

I love to travel! I have been fortunate to have visited 35 countries with the hope to continue adding to that list!

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Vaibhavi Dave

she/her/hers

Hometown:  Anand, India

Education:

  • Master of Science in Real Estate Development, Thomas Jefferson University (Expected 2026)
  • Bachelor of Architecture, CEPT University, India

I’m truly honoured and grateful to receive the PIDC D’Alessio Scholarship. As I enter my final year in the Master’s program at Jefferson, this support gives me both the resources and the encouragement to keep working toward projects that I’m passionate about. I see it as a chance to put what I’m learning into action, to contribute as part of PIDC’s team this Fall, and to gain insights from real-world challenges that will guide my path forward.


About Vaibhavi

Vaibhavi Dave is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Real Estate Development at Thomas Jefferson University. Trained as an architect from CEPT University in India, she brings over four years of experience managing residential and hospitality projects. As a partner at CityLabs India, she co-develops workshops and publications that reimagine how Indian cities are understood and represented. She has also held leadership roles with the Rotaract Club Anand Round Town, where she helped organize literacy & sanitation drives, and other community-building programs. She currently serves as the President of the Real Estate Club at Jefferson. In the future, Vaibhavi aims to bridge complex real estate challenges with innovative, human-centred development strategies that create lasting value for communities and cities.

Fun Fact

I can switch between three languages fluently – English, Hindi, and Gujarati and I’m working on adding French to the mix!


SCHOLARSHIP INFO 

Learn more about PIDC’s scholarship opportunities. Check back for the 2026 application, which will open in late January 2026.

READ ABOUT PAST RECIPIENTS

September 5, 2025

PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2025 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

PIDC is proud to announce the seventh-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walter D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership

Read More

September 24, 2024

PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2024 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

PIDC is proud to announce the sixth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walter D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership

Read More

September 18, 2023

PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2023 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

PIDC is proud to announce the fifth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walt D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership

Read More

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