Tierra Whitley
Nashville
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Interdisciplinary Research Student
Just Wage Research Lab (Higgins Labor Program)
Notre Dame
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Supported development of a multi-stakeholder online tool promoting community wellbeing and economic equity.
- Adapted framework materials for broad, public-facing audiences - building early experience in curriculum and toolkit development.
- Collaborated with scholars, activists, and community partners to align research outputs with public-education goals.
- Contributed to a group research project examining human trafficking in hospitality, engaging in qualitative evaluation and secondary data analysis.
Public Relations Intern
Office of the City Clerk
South Bend
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Designed and executed community outreach strategies, improving public access to local government information.
- Tracked and analyzed social media engagement data to refine messaging and improve community participation.
- Assisted with event planning for community outreach programs and public meetings.
Office Assistant
Vice President's Office of University Relations
Notre Dame
08.2023 - 05.2025
- Supported complex, multi-departmental projects through planning, documentation, and deadline management.
- Maintained confidentiality and discretion when working with sensitive material.
- Developed advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office for reporting, data organization, and communication.
Lead Student Manager & Trainer
Starbucks
Notre Dame
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Developed and delivered training curriculum for 30+ new employees, adapting instruction to individuals with diverse learning styles.
- Oversaw operations, scheduling, procurement, and personnel support - strengthening team-leadership skills.
- Managed overstocking, restocking, and inventory control procedures during the shift
Research Assistant
Research Lab - Africana Studies & Education, Schooling & Society
Notre Dame
09.2024 - 12.2024
- Conducted literature reviews and qualitative analysis on community and educational contexts.
- Managed confidential datasets and organized research materials to support accurate reporting.
- Strengthened abilities in evaluation, information synthesis, and research-to-practice translation.
Donations & House Operations Coordinator
Maggie's Place
Phoenix
06.2022 - 07.2022
- Trained in trauma-informed care, ACEs, and developmental risk factors; integrated this framework into daily client interactions.
- Designed, implemented, and facilitated five community programs supporting vulnerable mothers navigating housing insecurity, behavioral health stressors, and complex social service systems.
- Developed local service-provider and behavioral-health resource guides to streamline client access to care.
- Monitored donations, operations, and client needs; documented data and operational reports to improve service delivery.
- Conducted 40+ hours of field research contributing to a paper on medical racism and maternal health outcomes, strengthening understanding of systemic public-health disparities.
Recreational Leader & Mental Health Program Co-Facilitator
Smith Springs Community Center
Antioch
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Designed and facilitated enrichment curriculum for children ages 6-14 focused on arts, physical activity, emotional regulation, and safe social interaction.
- Co-led the Preventing Long-term Anger and Aggression in Youth (PLAAY) Initiative, a trauma-informed mental-health advocacy program for young boys, focusing on stress relief, resilience, and social-emotional well-being through physical activity
- Certified in Lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid, AED, and upheld safety protocols in high-risk environments.
Education
History, Art, and Culture in Portugal
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Lisboa, Portugal06.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology, Japanese, Business
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN05.2025
Japanese III
Nanzan University
Nagoya, Japan06.2023
Languages
Japanese
Professional
Portuguese
Elementary
Websites
Accomplishments
Questbridge Match Scholar
Timeline
Interdisciplinary Research Student
Just Wage Research Lab (Higgins Labor Program)
01.2025 - 05.2025
Public Relations Intern
Office of the City Clerk
01.2025 - 05.2025
Research Assistant
Research Lab - Africana Studies & Education, Schooling & Society
09.2024 - 12.2024
Office Assistant
Vice President's Office of University Relations
08.2023 - 05.2025
Donations & House Operations Coordinator
Maggie's Place
06.2022 - 07.2022
Lead Student Manager & Trainer
Starbucks
01.2022 - 05.2025
Recreational Leader & Mental Health Program Co-Facilitator
Smith Springs Community Center
06.2021 - 08.2021
History, Art, and Culture in Portugal
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology, Japanese, Business
University of Notre Dame
Japanese III
Nanzan University