Her Story
About Cia
Cia Elder serves as the Associate Director of Beyond Recess, a nonprofit program under Beyond Sports that works within Guilford County Schools to make recess and play accessible, supportive, and educational for children across three schools in the Triad area of Greensboro, North Carolina. Her career in the nonprofit sector began in Michigan at Pretty Lake Camp, where she worked for eight years, first as a camp counselor and later as a cabin director, before gaining additional experience at the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. After earning her bachelor's degree in Child Development and Psychology from Central Michigan University, Elder pursued graduate education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, completing a master's degree and recently finishing her PhD program in Human Development and Family Studies. During her time in graduate school, she served as a research assistant in labs including Centering Black Voices and worked as a graduate assistant in the Tutoring Collaborative, supporting middle schoolers in Guilford County Schools and engaging with youth at a juvenile detention center. Elder's areas of specialization include youth development, youth voice and empowerment, and community engagement. She is currently a member of the Society of Research on Adolescents and Kappa Omicron New.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My mom always instilled in me that you have to do something, keep yourself busy, and push to reach your potential. She told me to keep going for those things, that no one can tell you to stop, you are your own pusher, and you gotta keep pushing if you want something. Her being in my corner throughout my whole life has been the main reason why I am where I am.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid. You're gonna be in some spaces where you think you have nothing to bring to the table or that you may not be the one with all the knowledge in the room, and that's okay, but that doesn't mean you need to be afraid to step up in those spaces. You have a seat at the table. You have to be willing to take that, step out of your comfort zone, have the courage to be in those rooms, sit at those tables, take up space, and just be there.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One big thing is everyone communicating with each other, because sometimes we're in our own silos and we don't look the other direction to see who also might have supports. Not everyone is going to believe in your mission, so having to find a way to communicate with people what you do, how you do it, and why it matters, and for people to buy into that, is sometimes hard.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Showing kindness and compassion is really important. You have to have the patience and the willingness to be in those spaces. Community is really important because you can only do so much alone. Being authentic, being yourself, and knowing what you bring to the table is so much more.
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