View Shanya's Resume and training portfolio

Here is what Shanya has to say about her education and work experience related to human sexuality, gender, consent, etc.:

I graduated from California State University Sacramento with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and a certificate in Family Life Education  (aka “sex ed”). That was the beginning of my journey as a sexuality educator.

Next, I graduated from Pacific School of Religion (seminary) with a Master's Degree in Divinity. While I was there I focused on learning what the world’s major religions think about sexuality. At the time my plan was to provide sexuality education work within faith communities.

While I was in college I wrote my first curriculum on healthy body image. I have since written 3 additional curriculums and designed over 75 trainings related to sexuality.

While I was in grad school, I also completed an internship with an agency focused on clergy sexual abuse.

After grad school, I worked in HIV/AIDS prevention in Southern Africa. This was especially meaningful to me because I was born in Zimbabwe.

After I returned, I worked in domestic violence prevention in Oregon. This was a return to the Pacific Northwest where I grew up as a kid.

And then, finally, I founded this agency, Among Friends, LLC.

Here is what Shanya has to say about her personal lenses for this work:

I have multiple lenses for the work we do at Among Friends, LLC. All of my identities and experiences (listed below) inform how I approach supporting people and how I train on these topics.

1. I was raised in a religious household and am the daughter of a minister and missionary parents;

2. Growing up, I experienced countless non-consensual sexualized interactions and sexual harassment and I am a survivor of sexual violence. I have also done a lot of therapy to process my sexual trauma;

3. Working in HIV/AIDS prevention and domestic violence prevention gave me many insights into healthy and unhealthy relational dynamics;

4. I am an advocate and activist for healthy relationships, healthy touch and healthy sexuality;

5. I have worked for over 10 years as a behavior professional in the field of intellectual, developmental, and neuro- diversity in Oregon (USA).

Visit Shanya’s page to see additional information about her background and get to know a little more about her.