CURRICULUM VITAE
Zayda Sorrell Medina
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Planning, Policy and Design, University of California, Irvine (UCI), Current
Master’s Social Work, Concentration Community Organizing, University of Pittsburgh, 2012
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, 2010
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Immigrant nonprofits, the interrelations between nonprofits and government, citizenship, quantitative & mixed methods
SKILLS
Trilingual (English, Spanish, French), program development and evaluation, community engagement
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
Founder and Artistic Director Yemaya Productions, LLC, 2012-Present
- Develop interdisciplinary programs that combines research, arts-based teaching methods, and community engagement to raise social and cultural awareness. Example include plays, peace projects, and dance presentations
- Collaborate with researchers, artists, and youth across the US and globe to develop and implement programs
Project Lead From the Margins Program, 2012-Present
- Co-develop reconciliation activities that addresses violence in Jos, Nigeria among Christian and Muslim youth
- Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness and impact
Unit Chair, Head Stewart, and Advocacy Chair United Auto Workers Local 2865, 2017-2019
- Conducted research on international students’ needs related to English testing requirements and develop policy recommendations for the University administration
- Negotiated contract with the University to promote the rights of over 18,000 student workers’ rights in the UC system
Program Manager Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, 2012-2017
- Designed and implemented a multi-year year mentoring program for middle and high school students in Pittsburgh public schools to foster academic inequity among African American students
- Recruited over 1,000 students and professionals to serve as program participants
- Managed program budgets and fundraised $300,000 from local foundations
Social Work Field Instructor University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, Pittsburgh, PA, 2013-2016
- Supervise and provide mentorship to 6 master’s level social work students as a part of their field training.
- Instructed weekly lesson plans on stakeholder engagement and community outreach strategies.
Program Coordinator Intern Hill House Association, Pittsburgh, PA, 2011-2012
- Collaborated with artists and Ph.D. students to implement Art Talk program for children age six to ten.
- Facilitated group circles with children on topics related to identity, self-esteem, and positive behaviors.
- Evaluated program outcomes by coding observational data and prepared reports for funders and stakeholders.
Community Organizer Oakland Planning Development Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010-2011
- Facilitated focus groups with Latino residents to ensure that their voices were a part of 2025 community plan.
- Synthesize data from focus group into reports highlighting key themes intended for city officials.
- Translated company's marketing to Spanish to increase accessibility and engagement among Latino residents
- Assist with the resettlement and coordination of services of recent Cuban refugee arrivals in the community by
providing translation services and English lessons. - Created a student organization at the University of Missouri-Columbia to provide extended support to the agency in
their work of resettling Cuban refugees. - Recruited over 20 undergraduate students from the local university to act as volunteers for the agency.
Environmental Analysis and Design
Fall 2020
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
Sustainability I
Spring 2020
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
Cities and Social Change
Winter 2019
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
Urban America
Fall 2019
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
Research Design
Summer 2019
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
Sustainability II
Spring 2018
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy
Sustainability I
Winter 2018
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy
Sustainability I
Fall 2018
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy
Introduction to Urban Studies
Fall 2017
University of California, Irvine
Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy
INVITED TALKS, GUEST LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
“Environmental Justice and City Planning”
UCI Sustainability II Class. Irvine, California. May 2019
“From Youth Homelessness to Academia”
UCI Second Annual Foster Youth Leadership Summit. Irvine, California. May 2019
“The Role of Nonprofits on Legal Inclusion of Migrants in Society”
UCI Contentious Cities Workshop. Irvine, California. May 2019
“Achieving Sustainability Through Art”
UCI Sustainability I Class. Irvine, California. April 2018
“Compassionate Communication for Youth”
National Urban League Youth Conference. Fort Lauderdale, FL. July 2015
“Social Work and Social Policy”
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Master’s Program. Pittsburgh, PA. April 2015
“The Future of US Cuban Relations”
45th Annual World Affairs Council Institute. Pittsburgh, PA. November 2015
“Poverty and Inequality”
Public Allies. Pittsburgh, PA. November 2015
INVITED PANEL DISCUSSIONS
“The Role of Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Student Learning”
World Affairs Council. Welcoming of Russian Educators. Pittsburgh, PA. December 2014
CONFERENCE/ WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
"The Relationship Between Immigrant Nonprofits on Asylum and Deportation Rates in US Cities"
University of California Irvine, GPAC Workshop
January 14, 2020
"US and Dutch Sample: Measuring the Role of Immigrant Nonprofits"
Groningen University, Neurus Conference
September 21, 2019
"US and Dutch Sample: Measuring the Role of Immigrant Nonprofits"
Contentious City Workshop at the University of California Irvine, Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy
May 13, 2019
AFFILIATIONS
African American Achievement Trust Collective Focus Advisory Board 2015-2016 One Young World Pittsburgh Delegate 2016 Yemanja The Film Advisory Committee Board 2015 University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Alumni Committee Board 2014-2015 Urban League Young Professionals of Pittsburgh, Member 2013 Latin American Cultural Union Organization, Board of Directors 2012 University of Missouri Apoyo a Lo Cubano Student Organization, Founder 2008-2009
AWARDS AND FUNDING
2020 Public Impact Fellowship ($1,000)
2020 Chancellor's Club Fellowship award ($3,000)
2020 UCI Blum Center Poverty Alleviation Award ($2,900)
2020 DTEI Fellowship ($5,000)
2018 UCI Blum Center Poverty Alleviation Small Change Better World Grant ($3,000)
2017 National Urban League Caring Adult Award
2017 National Urban League Whitney M. Young Award
2016 United Way Be a Middle School Mentor Appreciation Award
2015 Advancing Black Arts Award ($15,000)
2015 University of Pittsburgh Rising Star Alumni Award
2014 University of Missouri Hesburgh Award for Outstanding Achievement
2010 The Edith G. Colantuono and Amelia and Henry De Angelis Scholarship ($1,000)
2010 The Hispanic Scholarship Alliance of St. Louis ($3,000)
2009 Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholar
2009 Rene Matos Scholarship ($500)
2008 Crystal Dreams Scholarship ($3,000)
2008 Luke Vincent Scholarship ($1,000)
2006 Princeton University Prize in Race Relations
2006 Hacemos Scholarship ($2,500)
2006 The President’s Volunteer Service Award
2006 National Horatio Association of Distinguished American Scholar Award ($10,000)
2006 Hispanic Association of Communication Employees of SBC Certificate of Achievement Award ($1,000)
