Tracy Beard
About Tracy Beard
Tracy Beard is a Research Assistant at the University of Massachusetts Boston, with a background in public policy and community organization. She has extensive experience in disability resources and cultural organizing, holding multiple degrees in Mass Communications, Community Organization, and Critical Ethnic and Community Studies.
Work at UMass Boston
Tracy Beard has been serving as a Research Assistant at the University of Massachusetts Boston since 2017. In this role, she engages in various research activities, including facilitating Technical Expert Panel meetings as part of the Innovative Training project. She has contributed to curriculum development for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor online training and academic courses. Her work focuses on addressing issues related to cultural and physical displacement in gentrifying neighborhoods through Participatory Action Research and Applied Theatre methods.
Education and Expertise
Tracy Beard has an extensive educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications with a focus on Public Relations and Advertising from Middle Tennessee State University, studying from 1997 to 2006. She later obtained a Master of Arts in Global Inclusion & Social Development with a concentration in Critical Ethnic & Community Studies from the University of Massachusetts Boston, completing her studies from 2016 to 2021. Additionally, she pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Critical Ethnic and Community Studies at the same institution, finishing in 2023. Tracy also studied Community Organization and Advocacy at Lipscomb University, where she completed the Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership in 2013.
Previous Experience at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Tracy Beard worked at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2008 to 2016, holding multiple roles. She served as the Assistant Director for the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder for eight years, where she contributed to disability resources and advocacy. Prior to that, she was a Program Coordinator for Disability Resources from 2008 to 2011. Her experience at the medical center provided her with a strong foundation in public policy and disability advocacy.
Internship at Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities
Tracy Beard completed a Public Policy Internship at the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities from 2007 to 2008. During this seven-month internship, she worked on the Fulfill the Promise Initiative, which aimed to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in Tennessee. This experience contributed to her understanding of public policy and advocacy in the context of disability rights.
Current Studies at Belmont University
Tracy Beard is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Communication at Belmont University, a program she has been enrolled in since 2014. This ongoing education complements her extensive background in community organization and advocacy, further enhancing her skills in leadership and communication within diverse contexts.