Experienced nonprofit communications professional to drive awareness and engagement for leading hazing prevention organizations.

StopHazing and HazingInfo.org are pleased to announce the appointment of Sierra Medina as Communications & Outreach Specialist, effective immediately. In this full-time role, Medina will lead communications and outreach efforts for both organizations, working to amplify their mission of ending hazing through research, education, and improved access to critical data.

Medina brings extensive experience in nonprofit marketing, digital engagement, and educational outreach to her new role. Guided by a deep belief in the power of community and storytelling, Medina brings both curiosity and care to her work—especially when it comes to supporting students and helping build safer, more connected campus environments. As Senior Communications Coordinator at Skyland Trail, a mental health nonprofit in Atlanta, she oversaw comprehensive social media strategies, website management, event marketing, and stakeholder communications. Her work consistently focused on using storytelling and human-centered approaches to drive meaningful engagement across diverse audiences.

“This is a tremendously hopeful time for organizations focused on hazing prevention, with new research, new technology tools, and a new federal law poised to transform awareness of hazing,” said Jolayne Houtz, founder of HazingInfo.org “Sierra’s background, communications expertise, and focus on community engagement will amplify the work of both organizations and help us meet this historic moment.” 

In her new position, Medina will split her time between HazingInfo.org (70%) and StopHazing (30%), developing communications materials, managing social media strategies, coordinating outreach efforts, and building relationships with key stakeholders such as parents, and in higher education, campus safety, and violence prevention spaces.

“We’re thrilled Sierra is joining our team,” said Professor Elizabeth Allan, who leads StopHazing. “Her proven ability to create engaging, brand-aligned content and her commitment to equity and transparency align perfectly with our mission to promote safe and inclusive campus environments.”

Medina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Political Science from Waynesburg University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She has completed over 2,000 hours of volunteer community service and brings experience in grant writing, event coordination, and cross-platform digital marketing.

Outside of work, Sierra finds inspiration in the outdoors, whether traveling, hiking, capturing moments through freelance photography, or painting what she sees. That same spirit of exploration shapes her approach to this role: always listening, asking questions, and seeking meaningful ways to raise awareness and drive lasting change. 

HazingInfo.org, launched in 2023, provides a free, searchable database of publicly available information about hazing incidents at U.S. colleges and universities. StopHazing, is a leading research organization dedicated to promoting safe and inclusive environments through data-driven hazing prevention strategies.

This position is supported through StopHazing and the Sam Martinez Hazing Prevention Fund, established at the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development by Jolayne Houtz and Hector Martinez in memory of their son Sam, whose life was cut short due to hazing while he was a first-year student at Washington State University.

Learn more about HazingInfo.org

Learn more about StopHazing.org

Media Contact: Sierra Medina
Communications & Outreach Specialist
HazingInfo.org and StopHazing.org
sierra@stophazing.org