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Session Title: Excellence in Extension Evaluation: Views From Extension Education Evaluation Topical Interest Group Award Winners
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Panel Session 518 to be held in Centennial Section G on Friday, Nov 7, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM
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Sponsored by the Extension Education Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Mary Arnold,
Oregon State University,
mary.arnold@oregonstate.edu
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| Discussant(s):
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| Mary Arnold,
Oregon State University,
mary.arnold@oregonstate.edu
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| Abstract:
Panelists in this session will provide observation and reflection on Extension evaluation, from where it has been, to where things are currently, to where we are headed in the future. Each panelist will speak from the perspective of one of the five areas in which the EEE-TIG offers awards annually: 1) Sustaining excellence in Extension evaluation; 2) providing administrative leadership for evaluation; 3) promoting excellence in evaluation; 4) demonstrating excellence in evaluation teaching; and 5) providing outstanding leadership and service to the Extension evaluation profession. Presenters on this panel are past or current recipients of the EEE-TIG award in the category in which the panelist will speak. The collective wisdom and experience of this panel will provide great insight for any evaluator working as part of a complex organization such as Extension.
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Building Evaluation Capacity: Excellence in Evaluation Training
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| Lisa Guion,
North Carolina State University,
lisa_guion@ncsu.edu
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This award is given for evaluation training of outstanding quality. Criteria for the excellence in evaluation training include creativity, enablement of trainees in evaluation practice, and the use of training to further extension evaluation. The panelist is a past award winner with over 12 years of working in Extension evaluation. She has witnessed significant progress in evaluation capacity building efforts within Extension and within the two Extension systems in which she worked. Today, more in-depth, ongoing training is being provided that is being coupled with timely, user-friendly evaluation resources and tools. These efforts are producing Extension educators who have more positive/favorable attitudes towards evaluation, and are more knowledgeable and skilled in evaluation design and methods. This panelist will provide a framework and discussion of some of the critical components necessary for Extension organizations that want to engage in a holistic, comprehensive, multi-faceted evaluation capacity building effort within their state.
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Sharing Extension's Impact: Excellence in Program Evaluation
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| Murari Suvedi,
Michigan State University,
suvedi@msu.edu
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This award is given for an evaluation of outstanding quality. Criteria for this award are accuracy, feasibility, propriety, and utility, with particular emphasis placed on utility in improving Extension programs, policies and/or accountability. The panelist is a past award winner and professor of program evaluation at a major land-grand university. His professional background is varied, bringing a unique perspective to the evaluation of agriculture, environment and natural resources programs and projects. He conducts evaluation of Extension programs, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in program development and evaluation, and offers short courses or workshops for development professionals focusing on evaluation. He has conducted evaluation of Extension programs and initiatives in Mexico, India, Nepal and the United States. The panelist will outline major factors influencing the quality of program evaluation in Extension and discuss ways to address them.
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Supporting Evaluation Efforts: The Mary Nell Greenwood Extension Evaluation Award
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| Scott Reed,
Oregon State University,
scott.reed@oregonstate.edu
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This award is given for administrative or program leadership toward outstanding organizational, policy and resource contributions to Extension evaluation. The panelist is currently a vice-provost of outreach and engagement at major land-grant university and will be nominated for this award in 2008. As vice-provost, this panelist also serves as the director of the Extension Service. The unique structure and emphasis of Extension in his state system has provided a rich context for the creative development and support of Extension Evaluation. The panelist will provide insight into the important ways that Extension administration can support and value evaluation efforts. And explore ways such efforts are instrumental in fulfilling the land grant mission of teaching, research and outreach.
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Leading the Way: Leadership and Service to the Extension Evaluation Profession
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| Michael Lambur,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
lamburmt@vt.edu
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This award is given for leadership and service in creating networks and gaining visibility for Extension evaluators. A recent award winner in this category, this panelist will examine the evolution of Extension evaluation as a profession over the twenty-two years that Extension Education Evaluation Topical Interest Group (EEE TIG) has formally been in existence. The panelist will comment on the growth Extension evaluation as a profession through an exploration of the types and numbers of Extension evaluators, the role of the EEE TIG, professional development opportunities including AEA sessions, the role of our federal partner, and the structure for program evaluation within Extension organizations. Based on this, the presenter will provide perspectives on the future of Extension evaluation as a profession.
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Building Evaluation Capacity That Lasts: Sustained Excellence in Extension Evaluation
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| Roger Rennekamp,
Oregon State University,
roger.rennekamp@oregonstate.edu
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This award is given for conceptual, methodological and evaluation accomplishments making outstanding contributions to Extension evaluation. The panelist has a long career in Extension. His contributions to sustaining evaluation are well-recognized across the country, and he is frequently acknowledged by his peers as a leader in Extension evaluation. The panelist spent the majority of his career at one university, and during that time was instrumental in the evolution of evaluation throughout the organization. His work includes all aspects of developing a positive evaluation culture- from building individual capacity to implementing systems, processes and tools to enhance and sustain evaluation practice. Letters in support of this panelist's nomination for the sustained excellence award universally commented on the significant impact he made in changing the practice of evaluation. The panelist will share his knowledge and understanding of creating change within in a system that allows for evaluation success and sustainability over time.
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