Evonnia
Woods, PhD
Social Impact Strategist
15 years of experience integrating education, research, and community organizing to advance economic, racial, and reproductive justice
Evonnia simultaneously started her sociology PhD program, became a community leader at a local economic justice organization, and began working with campus leaders at every level to increase student participation in decision-making processes. So while she studied and taught about social inequalities and movements, she also worked on issue and legislative campaigns like protecting and expanding Social Security and Medicaid, and co-founded and/or served as a leader in several campus groups and organizations. She went on to gain experience as a reproductive justice organizer and opposition researcher, which led to her co-founding and/or serving as a leader at several health-focused collectives like the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition and Mid-MO Repro. Now, she continues to jointly address social justice issues with professionals, community leaders, and community members as a cofounder and the Executive Director of Center for Collective Action.
BIOGRAPHY
Create collaborative learning and working spaces for generating and assessing evidence-based practical solutions
PURPOSE
Conduct and disseminate research that informs our ongoing work and the work of our partners
Provide guidance and opportunities for developing effective leadership and communication skills
Award funding for direct impact community oriented projects jointly led by professionals and community leaders
LEADERSHIP & SERVICECourt Appointed Support Advocate (CASA) | Heart of Missouri CASA
Co-chair/Chair/Board Member | Academic & Social Justice Committee | Sociologists for Women in Society
2025—
Member | Advisory Board | Sociologists for Women in Society
2024-2025
Mentor | First Generation Mentoring Program | Washington University, St. Louis
2024
Chair/Cochair | Social Action Committee | Sociologists for Women in Society
2023-2025
Member | Graduate Student Paper Award Committee | Midwest Sociological Society
2021
Cohost | Women’s Issues, Women’s Voices | KOPN-Columbia (89.5 FM)
2018—
Member | Public Transit Advisory Commission | Columbia, MO
2017 - 2020
Member | Social Action Committee | Sociologists for Women in Society
2016—2025
Graduate Student Representative | Chancellor’s Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Protests, Public Spaces, Free Speech, and the Press | University of Missouri-Columbia; Recipient of MU Faculty Council’s Shared Governance Award
2016 - 2017
HONORS & AWARDS2025
Spark Prize | Missouri Foundation for Health
2017
Social Actions Initiative Award | Sociologists for Women in Society
2016
Rollins Society Inductee | Graduate and Professional Council | University of Missouri
2008
Alpha Kappa Delta Inductee | International Sociological Honor Society
2007
President’s Mentoring Initiative Award | Family and Youth Services Bureau/US Department of Health and Human Services
National Big Sister of the Year Nominee | Big Brothers, Big Sisters
EDUCATION2020
PhD in Sociology [via Departmental Teaching Assistantships]
University of Missouri-Columbia
Specialization Areas: (1) Social Inequalities (2) Political Economy, Power & Movements
Minor: Women’s and Gender Studies
2019
Graduate Certificate: Nonprofit Management
University of Missouri-Columbia
2009
MA in Sociology [via the Proactive Recruitment of Multicultural Professionals for Tomorrow (PROMPT) Fellowship]
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
2006
BA in Psychology
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Minors: Sociology and History
2003
AA in Liberal Arts [via the Advanced Honors Escrow Program]
Shawnee Community College, Ullin, IL
INTEGRATIVE APPROACH*
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EDUCATE
From developing college courses to developing trainings and workshops, advancing social justice is always the goal.
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RESEARCH
Academically trained qualitative researcher and experienced opposition researcher raising the bar for accountability.
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ORGANIZE
An unwavering commitment to social justice exemplified by organizing in local, state, and national movement spaces.
*Inadequacy of language and the prevalence of mutually exclusive categorical thinking presents the challenge of dividing my work history and experience when nearly all of it has been and is designed and implemented together.