Banner600 

Request for Interest
AEA Graduate Education Diversity Internship Program
Program Chair: 2011-2012 and 2012-2013  Deadline: Tuesday, April 26, 2011


Are you committed to fostering the growth of the next generation of evaluators? Are you a faculty member or practitioner committed to the involvement of members of traditionally under-represented groups in the field of evaluation? Are you looking for an opportunity to take an important volunteer position within AEA?


The American Evaluation Association is seeking a Program Chair, or Program Co-chairs, to serve for two years (academic years 11-12 and 12-13) as the Program Chair for the AEA Graduate Education Diversity Internship (GEDI) program. This program brings together a cohort of 6-10 outstanding graduate students from around the country for a 10-month internship, workshops, training, and networking and mentoring opportunities.


Program Overview: The interns gather in September for three days to receive an orientation to the program, to evaluation, and to culturally responsive evaluation practice. The students attend the AEA Annual Conference for a full week in November where they attend pre-conference workshops and multiple sessions throughout the conference. At the Annual Conference, the students also re-connect with the Program Chair in person to provide updates on internship progress about their evaluation-focused service learning project. The students gather again in January or February for three days to receive further training as well as coaching and feedback on their progress related to their internship projects. They gather for a final time for four days in June at the AEA/CDC Summer Institute to present and receive feedback on their final projects, attend the Institute, and take part in a graduation ceremony. Concurrently, they participate in a 10-month site-based internship placement that provides each with real-time, hands-on practice in evaluation skills.


Program Purpose: The overall purpose of the program is to increase the participation of evaluators from underrepresented groups in the profession and in AEA.  

 

Program Goals: The goals of the program are to:

  1. Recruit graduate students of color and representing other underrepresented groups to extend their research capacities to evaluation;
  2. Stimulate evaluation thinking concerning underrepresented communities; and
  3. Deepen the evaluation profession's capacity to work in racially, ethnically and culturally diverse settings.

Program Chair: The Program Chair is responsible for three key facets of the internship program.

  1. Overseeing the curriculum: The Program Chair will build on the existing curriculum to refine a curricular framework for the program that spans the two stand-alone trainings and is supplemented by thoughtful workshop and session selection for the conference and institute.
  2. Facilitating training: The Program Chair will provide introductory evaluation training and coaching to the interns during the two stand-alone trainings and any conference-call based follow-ups and will work with the AEA staff to arrange for outside speakers and facilitators to supplement her or his offerings. For instance, the Program Chair might facilitate/coach approximately 50% of the opening workshop training and 25% of the winter training, with the content provided by the Program Chair supplemented during the training retreats by site visits, discussion groups, and the presentations of other facilitators. Presumably, co-chairs would facilitate a larger percentage, drawing on the expertise of two leaders.
  3. Serving as coach: The Program Chair will guide the interns through the program via monthly conference calls, and email exchanges. While she or he is not responsible for serving as a mentor per se, the Program Chair will help students to move through the program and connect with other professionals and resources.
  4. Serving as host: The Program Chair serves as host at all four events, as well as any conference calls, connecting with the interns, welcoming them, and encouraging networking and professional growth.

AEA staff will be responsible for the operational aspects of the program including overseeing student recruitment, handling logistics for all meetings, and funds management. The AEA staff and Program Chair will work collaboratively on selecting and securing placement sites. The Program Chair will work collaboratively with the AEA Executive Director to set policies regarding recruitment and identification of an advisory board responsible for student selection and general guidance for the program. The extent to which the Chair participates in the selection process and advisory process is at her or his discretion.


Chair Criteria: The Program Chair should meet the following six criteria:

  • Have completed his or her masters or doctoral degree and be teaching or practicing in the field of evaluation;
  • Have experience of successful teaching or training in the field of evaluation or related areas;
  • Possess knowledge of the needs and experiences of traditionally underrepresented students and/or students of color;
  • Have knowledge of culturally responsive evaluation practices;
  • Have the ability to guide or coach students or young professionals;
  • Be available to attend four training opportunities each year for the next two years as described above.

This is primarily a volunteer service-focused position. The Program Chair will receive travel support (airfare, accommodations, and registration) for the Summer Institute and for either of the stand-alone trainings not held within driving distance. The Program Chair will also be reimbursed for up to three nights hotel at the Annual Conference, recognizing the need to arrive early or stay late in support of the student interns. In addition, the Program Chair will receive a stipend of $5,000 in recognition of the facilitation work involved in leading this program.

To Apply: On or before April 25, 2011, please submit a letter of interest and a curriculum vita or resume via email to heidi@eval.org. The letter should be no more than three pages in length and should detail:

  1. the ways in which you meet each of the six specified criteria,
  2. the reasons you are interested in leading this program, and
  3. any unique qualities, experiences, or background that you bring to this opportunity that would further enhance your capacity to fulfill the role.

Questions? Please contact Susan Kistler, AEA Executive Director, at susan@eval.org.