Marissa Sisk

Pronouns: she/her

Bio
Marissa graduated with Magna Cum laude honors from California State University San Marcos in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and a Minor in Communications. She has worked for several non-profit organizations as a media specialist. Most notably, she worked as a Marketing Contractor at Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition. Here, she developed skills in website development, graphic design, and social media management. In this role, she assisted and referred victims of abuse with cultural services, shelters, and other resources. As a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, she felt at home working alongside fellow powerful Native American women in the advocation of tribal justice and education empowerment. Marissa also completed an internship as a Marketing and Public Relations Intern at Seaside Sustainability. In this internship, she learned how to research, write, and edit environmental-focused blogs and newsletters for educational purposes. Through her work, she realized the importance of educating the public about environmental justice through digital storytelling means. She believes that underrepresented communities' land and water rights should be brought to the public eye through documentary-style filmmaking. Combining her background in media and interests in environmental justice led her to the UCSB Bren School, where she is currently working towards a Master of Environmental Science and Management. Here, she is pursuing a specialization in Conservation Planning with a Strategic Environmental Communication and Media focus. With this degree, Marissa plans to advocate for indigenous communities by solving environmental issues through creativity, media, and inspired outreach.