
Selena Cozart, PhD.
EM: Selena@consultingcozart.com
PH: (434) 825-9096
DISCIPLINE/SPECIALTY
Collaborative Stakeholder Processes
Facilitation of Equity Initiatives
Public Engagement and Outreach
Evaluation
EDUCATION
Ph.D Education Evaluation with a concentration on Multicultural Education, University of Virginia (2002)
M.T. Secondary English Education, University of Virginia (1993)
B.A. English Language and Literature, University of Virginia (1991)
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Selena Cozart, PhD has extensive expertise in facilitating dialogue and community engagement in the service of equity and justice. Selena, a highly skilled race, equity diversity, and inclusion (REDI) Consultant, is well-versed in the full range of skills and expertise required to affect community change through dialogue and action. Selena has been an active participant in the UCARE program at the University of Virginia which has been instrumental in the UVA's recognition and accountability in relation to its unpaid, underpaid, and enslaved laborers throughout the history of the University.
2008-Present: Institute for Engagement & Negotiation
Lead Diversity Consultant – Responsibilities include serving on the steering committee, planning, organizing, and facilitating Pall meetings of constituents interested in creating meaningful action and sustainable change in the impact of the legacy of harm brought by structural racism in the form of slavery, segregation, and discrimination in the University and the surrounding community. Outcomes of this work include the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers which will be installed on University Grounds within the next 2 years.
Community Facilitator – Responsibilities include facilitating conversations with community stakeholders on a variety of equity initiatives to ensure greater representation and history-telling within the University of Virginia and Charlottesville communities
May 2018-Sept 2018: Democracy Summer Fellows Program
Regional Co-Director – Responsibilities include facilitation, project management, and partnering with community stakeholders and high school and college students in order to provide training and organizing infrastructure to democratic campaigning.
2011-2015: Piedmont Housing Alliance
Program and Service Coordinator at Friendship Court – Responsibilities included service delivery, identification of needs, representations, and program design. Successfully designed and coordinated Community Days and Father’s Day festivals that involved residents from nearby low-income communities, several nonprofits, community organizations, City departments, UVA departments, and local businesses. Created and coordinated the first community-based Girls On The Run program in Central Virginia for elementary school aged girls in the Friendship Court Community.
2003-2007: University of Virginia
Assistant Professor – Responsibilities include teaching, collaborative program development, facilitation of University, student and school communication. Participation and retention of under-represented teachers increased during service in this role.
HIGHLIGHTED EXPERIENCE IN: FACILITATION, MEDIATION, & TRAINING
Facilitating Collaborative Change
And
Consensus Building
Training and Educational Content Delivery
Selected Presentations and Talks
Cultivate Charlottesville, Charlottesville Food Justice Network, 2020-2021
Virginia Humanities, 2021
Move2Health Coalition, 2019-2020
Montpelier Descendants Community, 2019
Piedmont Housing Alliance, Ongoing
Local Food, Local Places Workshop, 2019
The Perkins House of Charlottesville, 2019
Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries (CALM), 2019
American Evolution and the Presidential Precinct: Global Pathfinders Summit, 2019
Charlottesville City Black Male Achievement Initiative, 2018
Darden Curry Partnership for Leadership in Education, 2018
Living Waters: An Interfaith Summit on Water Conservancy, 2013
Virginia Beach Listening Sessions: Sea Level Rise in Hampton Roads, 2011
Community Meditation & Restorative Services, Inc., Workshop for Facilitators and Trainers, 2018
Alliance for Peacebuilding EPP Annual Conference, Transforming Community Spaces: A Pilot Workshop
for Community Facilitators, 2018
Dialogue Across Grounds at UVA, Invited Facilitator Trainer, 2014
The Covenant School, Diversity Workshop, 2004
Albemarle County Department of Social Services, Diversity Training Module, 2003 & 2004
National Conference for Dialogue and Deliberation Conference Session, 2018
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, POP Talk, 2018
Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, Invited Keynote
Speaker, 2014
Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution Annual Conference, 2010
John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation National Symposium, 2010
Bridgewater College, Invited Presenter for Student Leadership Training, 2009
Charlottesville/Albemarle Student Mediator Summit, 2008
Virginia College Access Network annual conference, 2006
Symposium on Race and Society at the University of Virginia, 2006
Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Annual Conference, 2006
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), 2006
Black History Month Speaker Series at University of Wisconsin, Presented Keynote Address, 2006
University of Virginia Student Financial Aid Summit, 2006
Commonwealth College Access Network annual conference, 2005
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance annual conference, 2005
Albemarle County Foster Care Services Retreat, 2005
National Association for Multicultural Education, 2002 & 2001
Virginia Association for Multicultural Education, 2000
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
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Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society (2005)
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Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education (April 1992)
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
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Advisory Committee, Perkins House Charlottesville, 2018-2021
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Certified Birth Doula, Birth Sisters of Charlottesville, 2016-Present
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TEDx Charlottesville, Steering Committee, Host, & Speakers Coach, 2016-Present
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University Community Action for Racial Equity (UCARE) Steering Committee, 2009-Present
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Memorial for Enslaved Laborers Faculty Advisory Committee, 2010-Present
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Human Rights Commissioner, City of Charlottesville, 2013-14
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African American Teaching Fellows of Charlottesville/Albemarle, 2003-2008
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Hereford Residential College, University of Virginia, 2003-2008
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Students in Education Engaged in Diversity Scholarship for Changes (SEEDS for Change), 2005-2007
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Curry Faculty Diversity Counsel, 2005-2007
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University Committee on Fraternities and Sororities, 2006-2007
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UVA Women’s Center, HURS Mentor for undergraduate women of color, 2005-2007
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UVA Office of African American Affairs Mentoring Program, 2005-Present
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UVA Holland Scholar Selection Committee, 2007
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Omicron Delta Kappa Edgar F. Shannon Selection Committee, 2006
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UVA Office of New Student Programs Program Coordinator Search Committee, 2006
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Curry School of Education Admissions and Student Financial Aid Subcommittee, 2004-2007
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Journal of Negro Education, 2004-2005