Resume

• 2015

  Master of Science (M.S.)

  Community Research & Action

  Vanderbilt University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  Community Research & Action

  Vanderbilt University

• 2007

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  Sociology & Political Science

  Minor in Peace Studies

  George Fox University

  Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

  Crisis Prevention Institute

  Grant Writing

  Seattle Central College

  Wilderness First Aid

  NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI)

• Literature Reviews

  Peace Studies

  Qualitative Interviewing

  Youth At Risk

  Statistical Inference

  Conflict Resolution

  Qualitative Research

  Events Organisation

  Sociology

  Addressing Inner City Poverty Through Relocation

  Independent Qualitative Research Project\nStudent Presentation 2011 Pacific Sociological Association\n\nABSTRACT: This paper considers “relocation

  ” the concept of intentionally placing non-­‐poor people into poor areas as catalysts to break cycles of poverty. This concept

  developed by John Perkins and the Christian Community Development Association

  is studied through qualitative interviews and participant observations in Portland and Chicago. Literature on the implementation and effects of relocation is limited. The purpose of this study is to provide definition

  description

  and initial critique of the concept. Specifically

  the study considers correlations among the people participating in relocation

  motivations for doing so

  and the general experience of relocation. Relocation is dependent upon the particular individuals and communities involved; thus

  it is a varied and unique experience. However

  correlations among all subjects in the study do exist: 1) faith was found to be a major motivator for individuals who relocate

  2) relocators can be organized into three categories (pioneers

  community-­‐supported

  programmatic)

  3) learning from the city and developing ownership were described as themes of the strategy of relocation

  4) participants articulated a spirituality of relocation that acknowledged a paradox of programming and un-­‐programming development. Measuring the effectiveness of relocation to prevent or diminish inner-­‐city poverty was beyond the scope of this study. However

  results provide possible measurements of effectiveness

  including: increasing property values

  decreasing crime rates

  a sense of community or safety

  and participation by fellow community members in community issues. Further research must offer more thorough definition and description of relocation

  consider engagement by non-­‐religious people

  and offer an analysis of impacts on the neighborhoods—particularly issues of racial reconciliation

  gentrification

  and empowerment.

  Antiracism Education within Higher Education Institutions in America

  Purpose: This paper systematically reviews the literature of antiracism education (pedagogy and content) within higher education institutions (classroom and extra-classroom environments) in the United States. Methods: I conducted systematic searches of 4 academic databases using combinations of 18 key terms. The search yielded a total of 18 articles

  which were reviewed for design

  sample

  and data collection quality. Results: Antiracism research separated into two broad categories: empirical study and narrative inquiry. Empirical studies lacked representative samples

  reliable measures

  and diverse designs (such as explanatory research). Narrative studies lacked generalizability and were primarily personal reflection that included components of standpoint theory.

  Distress Levels of Homeless Adults in Yamhill County

  Senior Thesis: Sociology\n\nABSTRACT: Service providers and researchers acknowledge that the experience of being homeless can be highly traumatic

  and individuals may experience various adverse situations. These experiences have the potential to cause incredible stress on the emotional stability of an individual. This study explores the emotional distress levels of the homeless population in Yamhill County

  Oregon. The research utilized the purposive sample population gathered from the 2010 Yamhill County Homeless Count

  which administered a basic demographic survey to any individual identified as homeless. Three additional questions were added to the survey

  with the hypotheses that women and minorities would identify the highest levels of distress. Findings suggest that neither gender nor ethnicity correlate to distress; however

  the interaction between ethnicity and physical or mental diagnosis was significant

  and may have real correlation to levels of distress.

  Microfinance: Ending Global Poverty?

  Senior Thesis: Political Science\n\nABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of microfinance and offer a critical analysis of whether this form of community development is worthy of further investment

  by governments

  NGOs

  and individuals. Specifically

  this paper will consider if microfinance is useful for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). My findings indicate that microfinance is uniquely capable of achieving the MDGs for the majority of recipients; microfinance directly meets the goals of gender equality (goal 3) and indirectly impacts the goals of universal primary education (2)

  reducing infant mortality (4)

  improving maternal health (5)

  and combating Malaria

  HIV/AIDS and other diseases (6). However

  I also find that microfinance is not yet equipped to meet the needs of the Ultra Poor

  which relates to the first MDG: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. I suggest that the most vulnerable population remains trapped in the cycle of poverty

  despite the opportunity of microfinance

  which also means that the poor do not benefit from the indirect impacts (goals 2

  4-6

  and 8) of microfinance. I conclude by suggesting

  as authors Imran Matin

  Munshi Sulaiman and M.A. Saleque describe in their chapter “Imagining microfinance more boldly: Unleashing the true potential of microfinance” that the traditional understanding and application of microfinance must be expanded and broadened if it will assist the Ultra Poor and achieve MDG #1. I suggest process capital as the method of achieving MDG #1

  as demonstrated by the Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction: Targeting the Ultra Poor (CFPR/TUP) program developed in 2002 by the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC).

  Eccleston

  I am a PhD student in Community Research & Action at Vanderbilt University. I study how the disruption of social stratification can take place through community-based efforts. After completing my degree

  I plan to return home to the Pacific Northwest to seek employment opportunities at colleges and universities throughout Oregon

  Washington

  and Vancouver B.C.

  Sara

  Eccleston

  Strategic Learning Innovation grant [Peabody College and SE AETC]

  Boys and Girls Aid

  Ruvheneko Trust

  Vanderbilt University

  Edgehill Story Project

  Nashville

  TN

  TA for Professors Susan Friedman and Kristen Tompkins\nTalent Management and Organizational Fit (HOD 2400)\n\nGuest Lectures:\n - Lecture and facilitate class activities on StengthsFinders assessment tool\n - Lecture and facilitate class activities on individual marketing materials (resume

  cover letter)\n - Lecture and facilitate class activities on MBTI assessment tool\n\n- Event Coordination: HOD Mock Interview Day\n - Organize interview event for 125 undergraduate students\n - Gather 30-50 local professionals to participate\n - Maintain detailed schedule\n - Facilitate all communication\n\n- Pedagogical Support: \n - Develop 50 industry posters for classroom activity\n - Develop 6 occupational posters for classroom activity\n - Develop Online resources for presentation guidance\n\n- Grading support: Grade student essays

  projects

  and presentations.\n\n- Administrative support: filing

  organizing

  copying

  assignment posting to online forum.\n

  Graduate Student Teaching Assistant

  Vanderbilt University

  Nashville

  TN

  Research Assistant for Dr. Doug Perkins\n\nOur projects primarily consider the connections between faith communities and community psychology. We are currently working on two writing projects: (1) considers how religious community development organizations employ community psychology principles in their theory and practices; and (2) articulates a critical analysis of neighborhood engagement practices

  which have been linked to a number of positive outcomes

  but have also been used to perpetuate neoliberalism and inequitable outcomes for marginalized groups. Additionally

  I collect data for Dr. Perkins' Global Development of Applied Community Studies Project

  which analyzes the international growth of Applied Community Studies as a discipline.

  Graduate Student Research Assistant

  Vanderbilt University

  Greater Nashville Area

  TN

  Co-Instructor with Prof. Heather Lefkowitz\nTalent Management and Organizational Fit (HOD 2400)\n\nThis course prepares students to navigate the changing workplace of the 21st century with special emphasis on internship preparation. Drawing on design theory and career center best practices

  students learn to assess themselves

  identify strengths and weaknesses

  and engage the challenges of professional competency. Through self-directed learning projects

  informational interviews

  industry research

  and the development of marketing materials

  students actively participate in crafting their future directions while attending to external realities.\n\nResponsibilities:\n- Design learning objectives and lesson plans on a weekly basis.\n- Execute learning plan during 75-minute class session on a weekly basis.\n- Incorporate active learning techniques (such as free writes

  think-pair-share

  poster-brainstorming

  small group discussion) into the weekly learning goals.\n- Support syllabus creation

  online platform usage

  and student evaluation/assessment.\n- Participate in collaborative teaching through weekly planning meetings.\n- Organize and facilitate Mock Interview Day.

  Co-Instructor

  Vanderbilt University

  Nashville

  TN

  Research Assistant for Dr. Sandra Barnes\n\nI provided five annotated bibliographies for the development of Dr. Barnes' upcoming book with Wimberly on African American youth identity development within schools and churches.

  Graduate Student Research Assistant

  Vanderbilt University

  The Edgehill Story Project is a team of community members

  homeowners

  renters

  and students who are collecting historical information

  photgoraphs

  and stories from people connected to the Edgehill community. We started with a set of questions: What is driving development in our community? How are people getting displaced? And what can we do to encourage our neighborhood to grow in a way that benefits all of us? In response to these questions

  we developed a report and a documentary

  which can be found here: https://edgehillstateofemergencyreport.wordpress.com/.

  Research Assistant

  Greater Nashville Area

  TN

  Edgehill Story Project

  Facilitated a collaborative research team to develop a comprehensive report for the Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center (SE AETC) on the state of the HIV workforce

  entitled \"Strengthening the HIV Workforce.\" This report includes a thorough literature review

  targeted recommendations

  and example programs; the SE AETC plans to use this report for strategic decision making

  policy creation

  and advocacy at the national level. The development of this report also included two professional presentations to the SE AETC regarding the findings and report progress (June 16

  2016; July 28

  2016). This report can be access on the AETC National Coordinating Resource Center website.\n\nProvided literature review and writing support for the Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center (SE AETC) 2016 Needs Assessment.\n\nProvided editing support to a collaborative writing team for a literature review on adult education.\n

  Research Assistant

  Greater Nashville Area

  TN

  Strategic Learning Innovation grant [Peabody College and SE AETC]

  Sanyati

  Zimbabwe

  Coordinated the expansion of grassroots student sponsorship program by establishing direct sponsor for every student

  ultimately expanding program from one school to six

  from 10 students to 61

  from five sponsors to 45.\n\nDeveloped Implementation strategy

  collaborated with village heads

  and obtained funding for restoration of community borehole used by 30+ households.\n\nManaged all communication between donors and field practitioners; wrote year-end reports and quarterly newsletters; organized face-to-face meeting with potential donors.

  Director of Development

  Ruvheneko Trust

  Responsibilities: Provided sight-and-sound supervision

  activity coordination

  and crisis intervention for youth ages 11-18; facilitated staff schedules; coordinated foster parent respite.

  Lead Youth Care Counselor

  Portland

  Oregon Area

  Boys and Girls Aid

  George Fox University

  Richter Scholar

  George Fox University

  John Woolman Achievement Scholarship

  George Fox University