Tera Williams
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Built Environment
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, Expected 2024
MDS with Distinction, Design for Human Health
Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA, 2018
Thesis: Black in the City: Equity-Centered Community Design in Tacoma’s Hilltop
Focusing on the marginalized community of Hilltop, Tacoma, I researched the claim that revitalizing a neighborhood equitably based on the cultural values and narrative surrounding the community would improve the health of that community without displacing long-time citizens.
Advisor: J. Davis Harte, PhD
BA, Architecture Concentration
The Evergreen State College, Tacoma, WA, 2012
AAS
Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA, 2010
HONORS
Pleneurethics Society Scholarship, 2020
College of the Built Environment Ph.D. Fellowship, 2019
University of Washington ARC Fellowship, 2020
Commendations: Master’s Thesis Excellence - Design Studies, Design for Human Health, 2019
The Edwin T. Steffian, ‘10 (Hon.) Centennial Award: Master’s Thesis Excellence - Design Studies, Design for Human Health, 2019
The Evergreen State College’s Tacoma Campus Graduation Coordinator, 2012
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, 2011
Pleneurethics Society Scholarship, 2009
EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, 2020 - Current
University of Washington
Introduction To Built Environments, Vikramāditya Prakāsh
Cities, Health, And Well-Being, Adnya Sarasmita & Supasai Vongkulbhisal
A Global History of the Built Environment II, Daniel Coslett
Introduction to Urbanization, Mark Purcell
Operations Manager, 2021 - Current
Cousin Collective
ARC Fellow, 2020
GGN
Equity in Preservation Intern, Summer 2019
4Culture
Parent Educator + Curriculum Planner, 2018 - 2020
Families of Color Seattle
Teaching Artist + Curriculum Planner, 2018 - 2019
Seattle Architecture Foundation
Avid Tutor, 2011 - 2012
Stewart Middle School
PUBLICATIONS
Fattani, F., Mohamed, N., & Williams, T. (2021). Rapunzel’s Fairy Tale and its Mythical Persian Origin. Polling and Open Data Initiative at the University of Washington
Cox, A., Maldo, D., Manzo, L., & Williams, T. (2021). Radically Reimagining Landscape Architecture as Liberatory Praxis. College of Built Environments
Cox, A., Maldo, D., Manzo, L., & Williams, T. (2022). Radically Reimagining Landscape Architecture as Liberatory Praxis. EDRA
Williams, T. (2020). William Jones Biography. HistoryLink
Williams, T. (2020). Buffalo Soldier Encampment Timeline Entry. HistoryLink
Williams, T. (2019). Evergreen Tacoma Timeline Entry. HistoryLink
Williams, T. (2019). Maxine Mimms Biography. HistoryLink
Daniels, K., Jordan, C.P., Mithun, & Williams, T. (2019). Design the Hill. Tacoma Housing Authority
Williams, T. (2019). Equity in Preservation Survey and Inventory. 4Culture
PRESENTATIONS
Radically Reimagining Landscape Architecture as Liberatory Praxis; Environmental Design Research Association; EDRA53 Greenville - Health in All Design: Promoting Health, Equity, Sustainability and Resilience through Environmental Design; 2022
Revitalization Without Mass Displacement; Environmental Design Research Association; EDRA49 Oklahoma City: Social Equity by Design, Designing Connections Through Community; 2018
Equitable Revitalization in Traditionally Marginalized Communities; Environmental Design Research Association; EDRA50Brooklyn: Sustainable Urban Environments; 2019
POSTERS
Non-Violent Communication between Local Government and Community; Environmental Design Research Association; EDRA50Brooklyn: Sustainable Urban Environments; 2019
Black in the City: Equity-Centered Community Design in Tacoma’s Hilltop; Boston Architectural College McCormick Gallery; THE GRADUATION EXHIBIT; 2019
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
Consultant for Forterra/Fab-5, 2019 - 2020
#DesignTheHill
Consultant for Tacoma Housing Authority/Fab-5, 2018 - 2019
#DesignTheHill
Organizer for Hilltop Urban Gardens, 2019
Black and Indigenous Organizing (BIO)
Consultant for Spaceworks, 2018
Links to Opportunity Project Streetscape Community Engagement Survey
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, 2021-Current
Cousin Collective
Member, 2017-Current
Environmental Design Research Association
Member, 2020-2021
Environmental Justice Leaders Workgroup - City of Tacoma
Board Member, 2019-2020
Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Board
Member, 2019-2020
Hilltop EcoDistrict Steering Committee