Evonnia
Woods, PhD
Black Feminist Sociologist
BIOGRAPHYEvonnia is a Black feminist sociologist specializing in social inequalities, political economies, power, and movements. She has worked on economic, racial, environmental, and reproductive justice issues, but her more recent work is centered on health equity and justice. She engages in an integrative approach that uses education, research, and organizing to address social justice issues. Her current communications include co-authoring Mid-MO Take Action Newsletter, and cohosting Women’s Issues, Women’s Voices - a weekly feminist community radio show on KOPN-Columbia (89.5 FM) where she discusses social justice issues.
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 in 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
Minors: Sociology and History
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
2003
AA in Liberal Arts (via the Advanced Honors Escrow Program)
Shawnee Community College, Ullin, IL
SKILLSStrategic Planning
Leadership
Team Management
Time Management
Project Management
Communications
Detail-oriented
Adaptable
Flexible
Innovative
Media
Budgets
Fundraising
Digital Graphics
Google/Microsoft
Facilitation
Research
Campaigns
Coalition Building
Relationship Building
LEADERSHIP & SERVICEChair-elect | 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
Big Sister | Big Brothers, Big Sisters Inc. | Columbia, MO
2012 - 2013
Member | United Way GenNext | St. Louis, MO
2011
Counselor | Camp Little Giant | Makanda, IL
2009
Big Sister | Big Brothers, Big Sisters Inc. | Carbondale, IL
2005—2008
HONORS & AWARDS2024
Spark Prize Nominee | 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 of the Year Nominee | Big Brothers, Big Sisters
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 is exemplified by a history of campus and community organizing.
*Inadequacy of language and the preference for mutually exclusive categorical thinking presents the challenge of dividing my work history and experience into an either/or framework when nearly all of it has been and is designed and implemented within a both/and framework.