Aiyeshia is a 2005 graduate of Florida State University, with a major in psychology and a minor in English. She mentored and tutored children at low-income schools through the America Reads program and volunteered with the children’s program at Refuge House, Inc. She has conducted research for the Florida State University Anxiety and Behavioral Health Clinic, Baumeister/Tice Social Psychology Lab, and Plant Prejudice and Stereotyping Lab. Aiyeshia also studied Spanish and Latin American culture in Panama.
Field placement: Hunger Task Force
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aiyeshia conducted an emergency food assessment for the Hunger Task Force, a Milwaukee-based food bank. She collected over 1,500 surveys and conducted interviews at 62 food pantry and meal site locations in the Milwaukee area. She also provided advocacy presentations and facilitated hunger simulations for school aged children and civic organizations.
Policy placement: RESULTS
Washington, D.C.
Aiyeshia worked in the domestic department of RESULTS to expand their grassroots activist network. She developed new citizen advocacy groups in the South with a special focus on increasing participation among people of color. She is also responsible for facilitating advocacy workshops at national and international conferences, including the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference, the National Head Start Association’s Annual Training Conference, and the RESULTS International Conference.