Environmental Justice & Community Engagement Coordinator
Resume:
N. Sierra Dix
*******.*.***@**********.***
EDUCATION
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN May 2025
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major(s): Communication of Science and Technology, African American and Diaspora Studies Nashville State, Clarksville, TN May 2021
Degree: Non-Degree Seeking, Dual Enrollment
Major(s): Mechatronics
GPA: 4.0
EXPERIENCE
Girl Plus Environment Mentorship Program, Various Locations September 2025 - Present Girl Plus Environment Mentee
• Collaborate with environmental justice organization leaders through the GPE Climate Mentorship Program to examine policy approaches to climate resilience and equity
• Conduct informational interviews and policy discussions to deepen my understanding of state-level environmental governance
• Strengthen professional competencies in environmental communication, community engagement, and policy analysis.
• Receive guidance on navigating environmental leadership roles and advancing equity-driven policy solutions The Nashville Black Market, Nashville, TN July 2025 - Present Market Experience Assistant
• Coordinated digital content, vendor communication, and promotional strategies to support monthly markets that uplift and empower Black-owned businesses in Nashville.
• Managed social media scheduling, graphic design, and event promotion to increase vendor visibility and audience engagement across platforms.
• Assisted with event logistics, vendor onboarding, and community outreach, contributing to the growth and impact of a vibrant local marketplace rooted in economic justice.
The Land Trust of Tennessee, Nashville, TN May 2025 - Present Environmental Steward Intern
• Support the stewardship and maintenance of Glen Leven Farm’s 64-acre historic landscape, including native plant care, trail upkeep, and conservation projects.
• Assist in land trust operations by engaging with community members, supporting public events like Community Day, and helping communicate the mission of long-term land conservation.
• Collaborate with fellow interns and staff to implement sustainable land use practices and deepen public understanding of environmental preservation in urban-rural spaces.
• Gain hands-on experience in environmental nonprofit work, land management, and the intersection of conservation and community engagement.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conversation, Pall Mall, TN February 2025 – April 2025 Museum Curatorial Internship
• Organized, cataloged, and digitized hundreds of historical documents, including newspaper clippings and archival records related to Sgt. Alvin C. York.
• Collaborated with archivists to preserve and interpret primary source materials, contributing to long-term storage solutions and access strategies.
• Researched historical content to support interpretive programming, including social media posts and on-site educational materials.
• Assisted in the completion of archival projects and series, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and contextualization of materials within the broader narrative of Sgt. York's legacy.
Urban Forestry GIS: The Edgehill Arboretum, Nashville, TN September 2024 – December 2024 Buchanan Fellow
• Collaborated with Friends of the William Edmondson Homesite Park & Gardens to achieve Level 2 certification for the Edgehill Arboretum, a historic urban greenspace in Nashville.
• Validated static tree maps and developed dynamic, interactive GIS-driven maps for over seven acres of greenspace, using Vanderbilt’s ArcGIS platform.
• Geolocated and cataloged tree species, creating a public-facing online database with detailed descriptions, photos, and fun facts for each species.
• Designed educational resources and integrated QR codes to enhance community engagement with the arboretum.
• Assisted in promoting urban neighborhood preservation through innovative GIS technologies and environmental education. VI4AIR: Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation June 2024 – August 2024 Artist-In-Residence
• Developed and honed skills in science communication, translating complex research concepts into accessible artistic formats, making science more approachable and engaging for diverse audiences.
• Engaged in collaborative projects that brought together diverse fields, enhancing both scientific research and artistic practice through the integration of novel, cutting-edge approaches. PROJECTS
History & Cultural Memory Project Presemt
Conducting archival and field research to catalog and digitize portraits, artifacts, and historical materials at Glen Leven Farm. The project centers the voices of Indigenous and Black people who lived on, worked, and shaped the land, reclaiming narrative space often omitted from historical accounts. Through community-informed storytelling and historical preservation, this work contributes to a more inclusive and accurate record of the farm’s legacy.
GIS Mapping & Educational Outreach Present
Developed interactive GIS maps to validate and expand tree inventory at Glen Leven Farm Arboretum. Geolocated diverse native tree species, created dynamic digital maps using ArcGIS, and designed interpretive content to support environmental education and public engagement. Collaborated with environmental stewards to integrate historical, ecological, and cultural contexts into mapping data. Digital Exhibit Contributor July 2025
Created and showcased original queer-centered artwork as part of Love & Liberation, an experimental digital exhibit designed for and by queer Southern people of color. Guided by the exhibit's purpose—to act as a space of resistance and imagination—I contributed work that explored themes of joy, pleasure, and dreaming as radical acts. My piece supported the exhibit’s goal of building a dream-like space where community and expression intersect, uplifting the lived experiences and emotional truths of marginalized artists. Senior Honors Thesis – Black Environmentalism in Nashville May 2025 Researched and authored an interdisciplinary thesis exploring environmental injustice and Black land reclamation in Nashville. Analyzed displacement through urban renewal, gentrification, and legal land dispossession, using spatial analysis, archival research, and oral history interviews. Highlighted community resistance through urban farming, land trusts, and Black-led environmental activism. Produced original GIS maps and policy recommendations to support sustainable, community-centered environmental justice. Archival Black Soldiers Project April 2025
Conducted in-depth archival research on Black American soldiers with a focus on their relationships to land, labor, and legacy. Unearthed stories that highlight how military service intersected with land ownership, displacement, and environmental stewardship. Developed a site- specific memorial mock-up designed to reconnect Black communities to their historical ties to land and honor the contributions of these soldiers. The mock-up is intended for future integration into a historic state park to support public memory and intergenerational healing. Archival Digitization Project April 2025
Digitized and organized hundreds of historical newspapers and clippings related to Sgt. Alvin C. York, a celebrated American World War I hero known for his extraordinary valor and leadership. This project contributed to preserving and enhancing public access to the rich history of Sgt. York Park, a site dedicated to commemorating his legacy and impact on American military history. By converting fragile physical archives into searchable digital formats, I helped support educational initiatives and historical preservation efforts tied to this important cultural landmark.
GIS Mapping Project: Black Environmentalism in Nashville December 2024 Developed a dynamic GIS map validating and expanding static tree data for the Edgehill Arboretum, a historically Black neighborhood in Nashville. Integrated geolocation, narrative research, and environmental data to visualize the intersection of Black land stewardship, ecological memory, and urban green infrastructure. This project emphasized environmental justice by reclaiming overlooked Black ecological histories and supporting community-led environmental education and advocacy through spatial storytelling. LEADERSHIP
Vanderbilt Prison Project: New Life Dialogue November 2023 – May 2025 Infographic and Content Creation
As the infographic and content creator for Vanderbilt Prison Project: New Life Dialogue, I designed visually engaging materials to communicate complex issues surrounding incarceration and prison reform. The social justice and educational coalition focus on fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and supporting the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals through education and advocacy. My work helped translate research and stories into accessible content that promotes understanding and social justice. Vanderbilt University Lambda Association May 2024 – May 2025 Digital Relations, Executive Board
As Digital Relations Chair on the Executive Board of Vanderbilt University’s Lambda Association—the university’s primary LGBTQIA+ student organization—I managed Lambda’s public-facing digital presence, including social media strategy, graphic design, and event promotion. bqtyyI developed creative campaigns that highlighted community resources, celebrated queer identity, and boosted engagement across campus. My work helped strengthen Lambda’s visibility and foster inclusive, affirming spaces for queer and trans students. Kefi Art Collective May 2024 – December 2024
Publicity Chair, Executive Board
As Publicity Chair and Executive Board member of Kefi Art Collective, I led visual storytelling and promotional strategy to highlight the voices of underrepresented student artists. Kefi is a student-run collective that fosters artistic expression, community, and activism through interdisciplinary showcases and creative collaboration. I designed and managed campaigns across digital platforms, coordinated event promotion, and ensured our programming reflected the diverse identities and visions of our members. My work helped grow Kefi’s presence on campus and deepen its role as a hub for inclusive, student-driven art. SKILLS
Career Development: Connect Nashville: Vanderbilt Edition, Tennessee Women in Green Soft Skills: Adaptability, Building Connection, and Empathetic Listening Interest: Running, Crochet, Zines and Styling, Fashion
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