Eliza Blades

Eliza Blades, Assistant Director for the Peabody College Office of Student Engagement and Well-Being (OSEW), 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 Peabody OSEW 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.