Andrea Valdez

Andrea Valdez (Andrea_Valdez1@baylor.edu) serves as the Community Garden and Urban Agriculture Outreach Program Manager at the Office of Sustainability in partnership with the College of Arts & Sciences and Environmental Humanities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of the Rio Grande Valley and a Master’s in Museum Studies from Baylor University.

Andrea is dedicated to fostering environmental education and community engagement. She excels in creating and implementing outreach strategies to engage diverse populations in environmental education and community gardening initiatives. Her expertise in Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion and her skills in program evaluation and constructivist-based learning ensure that all community members have access to enriching educational opportunities.

In her role, Andrea collaborates with students, programs, and faculty across campus to facilitate special sessions, class projects, educational events, and community engagement in the Baylor Community Garden. She deepens Baylor’s community partnerships focusing on disadvantaged communities, particularly through the Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project (SCRAP). SCRAP is a collective formed by local non-profits, the City of Waco, and Baylor programs like Environmental Humanities and the Growing Leaders and Learners Project to co-create an ecosystem of urban gardens, farms, and composting sites that divert food waste from the landfill and nourish healthy food for all while advancing climate resilience. Andrea also educates the community about the environmental impact of food waste and promotes sustainable practices to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. She oversees the evolution of the Baylor Community Garden into a living laboratory for transdisciplinary education, creativity, and community engagement. She also coordinates volunteers for campus composting and gardening programs to address food insecurity.

Besides her professional commitments, Andrea enjoys beekeeping, learning auto mechanics, and spending time in nature.