Biographic Sketch
Joy Semien is the founder of L.E.E.D. With Joy LLC and a current doctoral candidate at Texas A & M University in the Urban and Regional Sciences program. She is also a research assistant for The Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas A & M University where she oversees a research project on Organizational Impact and Recovery following compounded events.
Joy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Dillard University (2015) in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and she also holds a Masters’s Degree from Texas Southern University (2017) in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy. She is also a published author of several peer-reviewed articles and the book entitled “Hazard Mitigation Training for Vulnerable Communities.” Links to her work can be found here.
As a research scientist, her work explores the intersectionality of hazards, race, and environmental justice within marginalized communities. Through her work, she seeks to develop methodologies to turn research into action in an effort to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Expertise
Educational Consultant
Research Assistant
Data Manager
Technical Assistance
Freelance Writer
Community Educator
Lesson-plan Developer
Workshop Developer
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
| Doctor of Philosophy of Urban and Regional Sciences, Expected Graduation May, 2022 Texas A & M University: College Station, TX Dissertation: Examining Post-Harvey Disruption and Recovery of Organizations in Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX |
| Master of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, May 2017 Texas Southern University: Houston, TX Thesis: “Developing a Disaster Preparedness Tool Kit to Effectively Train the Community of Geismar, Louisiana in the Case of a Natural or Anthropogenic Disaster.” |
| Bachelor of Science, cum laude, May 2015 Dillard University: New Orleans, LA Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry |
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
| Member, American Planning Association. |
| Member, Planning in the Black Community Division. American Planning Association. |
| Member, Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division.American Planning Association. |
| Member, Ecological Society of America. |
AWARDS AND HONORS
| Student of the Year: American Planning Association -Planning in the Black Community Division Award |
| Outstanding Thesis Award: Texas Southern University |
| 2nd Place: Texas Southern University Graduate Research Competition |
| Dillard University Service Award (300 + community service hours) |
| Martin Luther King Community Service Award: New Orleans, La |
| 1st Place: Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation Undergraduate Research Competition |
| 2nd Place: Dillard University Undergraduate Research Competition |
| 2nd Place: Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation Undergraduate Research Competition |
FELLOWSHIPS
| Chair/Fellow, The William Averette Anderson Fund Fellowship |
| Fellow, Gulf Equity Water Corp Consortium |
| Fellow, HBCU Climate Change Consortium Fellow |
| Fellow, Planning and the Black Community Division’s Fellowship |
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
| Instructor of Record, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A & M University-College Station, TX Served as the instructor of record for the undergraduate course The Evolution of a City and Building Better Cities. |
| Teaching Assistant, College of Architecture, Texas A & M University College Station, TX Served as a teaching assistant and course evaluator for the undergraduate course Cultural Discourse class. Responsibilities included the development of teaching material, curriculum development, and course evaluation tools. |
| Instructor, Texas Southern University National Summer Transportation Institute Houston, TX Courses Taught: What is Planning, Intro to Geographic Information Systems, and Bridge Design and Planning |
| Teaching Assistant, Barbara Jordan Mickey Leland Scholar Texas Southern University Houston, TX Worked closely with professors on environmental justice and sustainability projects. Assisted with campus-based sustainability initiatives, research projects, social media campaigns, and IT/Web-based media support. |
| Teaching Assistant, McDonough 35 High School New Orleans, La Assisted high school level biology teachers in preparation for daily classroom implementation as well as preparation for the Texas End of Course Examination. |
| Teaching Assistant, Dillard University Saturday Science Academy New Orleans, lA Assisted Saturday science instructors with daily classroom implementation and lesson plan development. |
| Mentor-Teaching Assistant, Dillard University First-Year Seminar New Orleans, LA Tutored, mentored, and assisted instructors with daily classroom implementation |
| Instructor, Dutchtown Child Development Center Dutchtown, LA Plan and implement activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of the children in the program. Provide nutritious snacks and lunches. Ensure equipment and the facility are clean, well maintained, and safe. |
RESEARCH
| Research Assistant, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center and Texas Sea Grant at Texas A & M University, College Station, TX Research Project: Examining Post-Harvey Disruption and Recovery of Organizations in Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX. Responsibilities included designing, developing, and implementing a research project. Managed a team of 11 undergraduates, 6 faculty, and 4 outside collaborative. Conducted regular check-ins, managed, and analyzed data. Develop memos and reports to share with outside collaborative. |
| Research Assistant, “Disaster Recovery Guide for Planning Practitioners.” American Planning Association and Federal Emergency Management Agency Designed, implemented, and analyzed qualitative interviews and online surveys to understand recovery educational needs of urban planners and similar professions. |
| Research Scholar, Texas Southern University, Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland Scholar New Orleans, LA Worked with a host of environmental justice scholars and advocates conducting research on building non-profit organization capacity to respond to the needs of the broader community. Periodically served as a data manager and an information systems assistant preparing conference rooms for meetings. |
| Research Scholar, Dillard University, Louisiana Alliance Minority Participation New Orleans, LA Research Project: Evaluated methods to reduce arsenic uptake by Oryza sativa in Louisiana rice farms |
| Research Scholar, University of New Orleans Conservation of Tropical Ecology Gabon, Africa Compared primate diversity and vegetation abundance within continuous and gallery forest habitats within Lope National Park |
| Research Scholar, Marine Biological Laboratory, Semester in Environmental Science Woods Hole, MA Assess impacts of global climate change by comparing sediment accumulation rates with estimates of net carbon storage based on eddy flux tower measurements on the Plum Island Estuary Salt Marsh, Ma http://videocenter.mbl.edu/videos/video/511/in/channel/19/ |
| Research Scholar, Independent Research Kingston, Jamaica Studied the value of cultural diversity between Jamaica and the United States |
| Research Scholar, Dillard University, Louisiana Alliance Minority Participation New Orleans, LA Research Project: From Seed to Table a Dream Keepers Garden: New Orleans, LA – Research mentorship assessing rising childhood obesity levels and knowledge of environmental science |
| Research Scholar, Dillard University, Louisiana Alliance Minority Participation New Orleans, LA Research Project: NOLA Hurricane Readiness: New Orleans, LA-Evaluated the extent to which non-structural risk mitigation programs could reduce New Orleans flood risk |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
| Data Manager and Administrative Support Specialist, Community Health Collaborative Consulting Houston, Texas Responsibilities included managing large data sets, analyzing data, and providing administrative support for meetings. |
| Data Manager and Administrative Support Specialist, HOGG Foundation for Mental Health Houston, Texas Served as a member of the Communities of Care evaluation team. Responsibilities included managing large data sets, analyzing data, web-support for Community Toolbox, and provided administrative support for meetings using Google Drive, Asana and Basecamp. |
| Intern, National Resource Defense Council New York, NY Worked closely with environmental lawyers and scientists on environmental justice issues among communities that are directly affected by the Federal Cap and Trade Policies. Primary responsibility included synthesizing national policies related to Cap and Trade and examining the equity issues among communities directly affected by those policies. |
| Intern, West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. New York, NY Worked closely with environmental community organizers on Urban Heat Island issues in Harlem, New York. Primary role consisted of surveying residents on the effects that heat can play on daily activities. Other responsibilities included phone canvassing and preparation for community forums. |
| Intern, Jean Laffite National Park New Orleans, LA Assessed impacts of invasive aquatic vegetation on the park’s waterways, developed protocols, as well as developed information for staff and community awareness of various projects. |
| Intern, Dillard University Community Development Department New Orleans, LA Served as an assistant to the community developer. Also served as a part-time garden instructor, and manager of a 1/3-acre farm at Langston Hughes Academy in New Orleans, La. Promoted healthy lifestyles and environmental science. Solicited and managed healthcare vendor registration and set up for annual health fair. |
| Intern, St. Gabriel City Hall Planning Office St. Gabriel, LA Prepared and edited correspondence, reports, and presentations for the Public Works/ Planning office. Conducted research and developed reports of upcoming urban development projects. |
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
| Wright, Beverly, Nance, Earthea, King, Denae, Semien, Joy. 2021. “A Question of Human Rights: Transnational Targeting of Environmental Justice Communities.” Humanity and Society, June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/01605976211013284 |
| 2021. Preservation at the Intersections: Patterns of Disproportionate Multihazard Risk and Vulnerability in Louisiana’s Historic African American Cemeteries.Lead authors in alphabetical order. Abuabara, A., Blanks, J., Roberts, A., and Semien, J. Environmental Justice. |
| Semien, J. and Nance, E. (2019). KAPS: A Disaster Training Approach for High-Risk Communities. International Journal of Mass Emergencies & Disasters, 37(3). |
| Semien, Joy and Earthea Nance (2018). A Disaster Training Approach for High Risk Communities. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters. (In Review). |
| Broadway, Ruby, Lovell Agwaramgbo, Shelby Edwards, ShaKayla Nunez, and Joy Semien (2018). Charred rice hull as soil additive to reduce arsenic uptake by Oryza sativa in a rice farm. Environmental Analysis & Ecology Studies. |
| Semien, J. (2017). Developing a disaster preparedness tool kit to effectively train the community of Geismar, Louisiana in the case of a natural or anthropogenic disaster. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1925028682). |
| Singleton, Bernard, J. Turnere, L. Waltera, N. Lathana, D. Thorpea, P. Ogbevoena, J. Dayea, D. Alcorna, S., Wilson. A, J. Semien et al. (2016). Environmental stress in the Gulf of Mexico and its potential impact on public health. Environmental Research, 146, 108-115. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001393511530181X |
Books/Book Chapter
| Semien, J., and Nance, E. (2022). Hazard Mitigation Training for Vulnerable Communities: A K.A.P.S. (Knowledge, Attitude, Preparedness, Skills) Approach (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003177005 |
| Semien, J., (2020). Give Them Money, Give Them Power, and Give Me Death. In D. Newton (Ed.), The climate change debate (Vol. 1, p.141-145). Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. |
PUBLICATIONS/REPORTS
| 2019. “Disaster Recovery Professionals Guidance Development: Qualitative Interview Report.” Funded by the American Planning Association and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lead authors in alphabetical order: Judanne Lennox-Morrison, Michelle Meyer, Abrina Williams. Research Team in alphabetical order: Troy Brundidge, Shannon Burke, Joseph DeAngelis, Judanne Lennox-Morrison, Michelle Meyer, J. Carlee Purdum, Rich Roths, Joy Semien, Shannon Van Zandt, Abrina Williams, Siyu Yu. https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9193407/ |
| 2019. “Disaster Recovery Professionals Guidance Development: Quantitative Survey Report.” Funded by the American Planning Association and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lead authors in alphabetical order: Judanne Lennox-Morrison, Michelle Meyer, Abrina Williams, Siyu Yu. Research Team in alphabetical order: Troy Brundidge, Shannon Burke, Joseph DeAngelis, Judanne Lennox-Morrison, Michelle Meyer, J. Carlee Purdum, Rich Roths, Joy Semien, Shannon Van Zandt, Abrina Williams, Siyu Yu. https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9193414/ |
| Semien, Joy, Jennifer Blanks, Antione Richards, Benika Dixon and Lorita Daniels. (2019) Legacy: A William Averette Anderson Magazine. William Averette Anderson Fund. Volume 1 Issue 1. |
| Arenas, Alberto; Andreotti, Andy; Ferrell, Blair; Monsivaiz, Cameron; McCreary, Colin; Easton, Emily; Guarnere, Harley; Toriz, Jorge; Makatura, Kayla; Schulze, Lauren; Metske, Madison; Pohlmeyer, Marissa; Finley, Michael; Dedear, Nathan; Wooten, Rachel; Trust, Samantha; Florence, Stephen; Powell, Wayne; Juarez, Alex; Patricia, Angela; Kleveland, Benjamin; Chunga, Carlo; Hixson, Conner; Sullivan, Emily; Schwarz, Hunter; Semien, Joy; et. al. (2018). La Grange Comprehensive Plan 2018 – 2038. Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /189335. |
NOTORIETY AND IMPACT TRACKING
| Katrina: 15 Years Later (SOCI 467), a module on climate change and vulnerable groups, taught in Spring 2020 at the University of Delaware |
| Citizen Participation and Planning Class (UPEP 863), taught Fall 2019 at Texas Southern University |
Invited Talks
| Joy Semien (2020). The Link Between Organizational Recovery and Social Justice. Coastal Communities and Justice Roundtable. Virtual Webinar. |
| Semien, Joy. (2020). Hazards, Race, and Social Justice. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards Mission Area (NHMA). Virtual Webinar. |
| Semien, Joy. (2020). Environmental Justice Now Tour: Historically, Black Colleges and Universities. Natural Resource Committee (USGS) Natural Hazards Mission Area (NHMA). Virtual Webinar. |
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
| Semien, Joy, Malini Roy, Melina Matos, Jacqueline Kuzio, and Andrea Robert. (2020). Critical Place Studies: Creative Approaches to Increasing the Visibility of Historic Black Communities to Planners & Policymakers. ACHS 2020 FUTURES – Association of Critical Heritage Studies 5th Biennial Conference. Virtual Webinar-London. |
| Semien, Joy and Earthea Nance. (2018). A Disaster Training Approach for High-Risk Communities. Natural Hazards Conference. Broomfield, CO. |
| Semien, Joy and Earthea Nance. (2018). Developing a disaster preparedness tool kit to effectively train the community of Geismar, Louisiana in the case of a natural or anthropogenic disaster. Texas Southern University Research Week. Houston, TX. (Second Place) |
| Semien, Joy, Anne Giblin, and Inke Forbich. (2014). “Comparing sediment accumulation rates with estimates of net carbon storage based on Eddy flux tower measurements at the Plum Island Estuary”. Ecological Society of America Conference. Sacramento, CA |
| Semien, Joy, Bernard Singleton, Sean Wilson. (2014). “Assess toxicity levels and biomarkers of Oil Spill Weathering in the Air and Water at Impacted Louisiana Shorelines”. Emerging Researchers National Conference; Washington DC |
| Semien, Joy, Amy Lesen. (2013). “From Seed to Table a Dream Keepers Garden”. Emerging Researchers National Conference; Washington DC |
| Semien, Joy, Amy Lesen (2012). “NOLA Hurricane Readiness”. LAMP Conference. New Orleans, La. |
PANELS AND WEBINARS
| Webinar. Examining Post-Harvey Disruption and Recovery of Organizations in Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX. (2020). College of Architecture Research Symposium. Texas A & M College of Architecture. |
| Moderator. Next Generation Youth Panel. (2019) 7th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference. Sponsored by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and Texas Southern University. |
| Panelist. Voiceless: From the Mouth of Babes. (2019).TAMU Rise Conference. Sponsored by Texas A & M University. |
| Panelist. In Retrospect – Hurricane Harvey and the Impact on African American Neighborhoods. (2018). APA Webinar Series. Sponsored by the Planning in the Black Community Division. |
| Panelist. The Fight Continues: Students Lifting Our Voices Through Journalism Panel. (2018) 6th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference: Fighting for our Lives. Sponsored by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and Texas Southern University. |
| Moderator. Global Warming Mitigation and Climate Resiliency Panel. (2018) 6th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference: Fighting for our Lives. Sponsored by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and Texas Southern University. |
| Moderator. HBCU- COP21 Experience Panel. (2016). 4th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference: Fighting for our Lives. Sponsored by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and Texas Southern University. |
| Panelist. Dillard University Institutional Development Panel. (2015). Sponsored by Dillard University’s Institutional Development Office. |
SERVICE
| STAAR Tutor, Rudder High School Bryan Independent School District Bryan, TX Tutored 9th graders in Biology, Physics, and Algebra to increase STAAR test scores as well as in-classroom test scores. |
| Center for Career and Professional Development Advisory Board New Orleans, LA Assisted with the discussion and implementation of academic programs related to employment, professional and graduate school opportunities, and academic trends related to retention of Dillard University students. |
| Dillard University Advisory Committee on Academic Programs New Orleans, LA Assisted with the Approval process of the development and enhancement of the university standard curriculum as it relates to the FERPA and SAX curriculum standards. |
| Senior Class Vice President, Dillard University New Orleans, LA Assisted the office of business and finance, academic affairs, student services, and the office of career and community development. Responsibilities included planning educational and social events, managing budgets, collecting quotes and purchase orders. Developed a series of professional and community-based programs to engage and prepare graduating seniors for the workforce. |
| Louisiana Science, Engineering, and Technology (STEM) Camp Coordinator Baton Rouge, LA Designed and implemented STEM-related service-learning projects, workshops, and camps for government officials and students both locally/nationally. |
CERTIFICATIONS
| IRB CITI – Human Subjects Certification |
| Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100, FEMA |
| 32 Hour OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Certificate |
L.E.E.D With Joy 