Professional Summary
Shaonta' is a PhD Candidate whose broad reserach interests include: Social Inequality, Religion, Social Movements, and Higher Education. More specifically, Shay studies how various institutions such as the Black Church, Pop-Culture/Sports, and Colleges/Universities impact the racialized experiences of Black Millennials.
A native of Seattle, WA, Shay received her B.A. from the University of Washington- Seattle in 2009 where she double majored in Sociology and American Ethnic Studies. In 2013, she earned her M.A. in Sociology and Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies from Middle Tennessee State University.
Her dissertation project examines how Christian faith impacts the social activism of Black millennials. Her forthcoming publications similarly investigagte how institutional context influence Black activism.
For more information visit her personal website: www.ShaontaTheSociologist.com
Education
B.A., University of Washington Seattle, WA, 2009 (Sociology and American Ethnic Studies)
M.A., Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN, 2013 (Sociology)
Graduate Certificate, Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN, 2013 (Women and Gender Studies)
Positions and Work Experience
2011 -2013 Graduate Assistant, Middle Tennessee State University , Murfreesboro, TN
2015 -2018 Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2018 - Managing Editor, Social Problems Journal, Cincinnati, OH
Research and Practice Interests
Race & Racism
Religion
Collective Behavior & Social Movements
Higher Education
Pop-Culture & Sport
Women and Gender Studies
Presentations
Invited Presentations
Shaonta Allen, Joshua Inwood, Amelia Parker and Shannen Williams (2015. ) Black Politics and State Violence .University of Tennessee- Knoxville, Knoxville, TN.
Shaonta Allen, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Aldon Morris and Earl Wright II (2016. ) Black Lives Matter: The Continuing Significance of Race .Atlanta, GA.
Paper Presentations
Shaonta' Allen (2015. ) Elite or Oppressed? A Study of Variations in Inequality within the Black Greek Experience .Chicago, IL. Conference. Level:National
Shaonta' Allen (2014. ) Socio-Historical Contexts Surrounding Contemporary Stereotypes of Black Sororities .Nashville, TN. Conference. Level:National
Shaonta' Allen (2013. ) Stomping the Yard in Black and White: A Comparative Study of the Perceived Benefits of Black Greek Life at Historically Black and Predominantly White Institutions .Atlanta, GA. Conference. Level:Regional
Shaonta' Allen (2016. ) Going Greek and Making Friends: Impacts of Campus Racial Climate on Social Relationship Formation and Development .Chicago, IL. Conference. Level:Regional
Symposium
Shaonta Allen (2014. ) My Sisters Keeper: Reflections on Black Sisterhood, Feminist Consciousness, and Sorority Life .Murfreesboro, TN.
Shaonta Allen (2013. ) Organizational Generalizations within Black Greek Life .Murfreesboro, TN.
Shaonta Allen (2011. ) Media as a Tool of the Generalized Other: An Application of Mead’s Theory .Murfreesboro, TN.
Honors and Awards
2015 -2017 Albert C. Yates Fellowship Recipient
2015 -2016 University of Cincinnati Graduate Dean's Excellence Scholarship
2011 -2013 Middle Tennessee State University Access and Diversity Fellowship Recipient
2005 -2009 University of Washington Costco Diversity Scholar
2005 -2009 Washington State College Success Foundation Achiever's Scholar
2015 -2020 Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholar
Professional Affiliation
2007: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
2011: American Sociological Association
2015: Association of Black Sociologists
2013: Sociologists for Women in Society
2014: Association for Talent Development
2013: Mid-South Sociological Association
2016: North-Central Sociological Association
2016: Southern Sociological Society
2016: Society for the Study of Social Problems
Courses Taught
Introduction to Sociology
Contemporary Social Problems
Race, Gender and Sexuality in the Media
Sociology of Sport
Race, Class, & Gender