Eliza Blades, Assistant Director for the Peabody College Office of Student Life, received her M.Ed. from the Community Development and Action Program at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. Before earning her master’s, Eliza served as a Program Coordinator for the Pace Center for Civic Engagement at Princeton University where she led the alternative breaks program, coordinated one-time service opportunities, and partnered to pilot the Organizing Praxis Lab focused on teaching community organizing pedagogy. Eliza is a proud Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Leader and had the privilege of serving as a Program Associate for the Bonner Foundation upon completing her bachelor’s in business administration from the College of Charleston.
Eliza’s work with the Peabody Office of Student Life includes planning and facilitating co-curricular programming, advising Peabody College student organizations, assessing and evaluating programs, and sharing resources for Peabody students, faculty, and staff. Eliza views her work as a commitment to college access, student belonging, and co-creation of a space of holistic learning for all within the Peabody Community.
Eliza is an active member of the LGBTQ+ community in Nashville serving on the Nashville Pride Older Adult Community Task Force and also serves as a session member at Woodland Presbyterian Church.