Information for Students

WMU student-evaluators receive paid, hands-on, résumé-worthy learning opportunities, developing marketable skills to prepare them for their academic and employment careers. Specifically, student-evaluators will:

• Learn and apply program evaluation skills, including collaborative and culturally responsive problem-solving, quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, and communication through data visualization;
• Develop evaluation strategies, proposals, and processes with community organizations and their constituents;
• Create data collection instruments and data analysis tools to help local organizations build program evaluation capacity;
• Learn while serving the people in Kalamazoo County who are vulnerable or historically marginalized and oppressed;
• Develop teamwork, communication, managerial, and critical thinking skills;
• Receive evaluation and project management training in addition to one-on-one supervision, group supervision, and peer mentoring; and
• Have resources for the next stage in their academic or employment career.

WMU undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students (and incoming WMU students) from any department may apply.   

The Evaluation Lab is located within The Evaluation Center on the fourth floor of Ellsworth Hall on WMU’s main campus. The Lab features ideation and collaboration space for 20 people, a private room for interviews and focus groups, state-of-the-art hybrid meeting technology, and accessibility features.

The Lab sits on land historically occupied by the Council of Three Fires - Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadmi. Indigenous nations of the Great Lakes region are also known as the Anishinaabe or original people. We recognize and honor this ancestral land of the People of the Three Fires, the sacred lands of all indigenous peoples, and their continued presence.

Under the supervision of the Lab Director, you will work in small teams to collaborate with partnering organizations to develop evaluation plans tailored to meet the organizations’ needs; then you’ll conduct the evaluation and work with the organizations to help them understand and use the evaluation’s findings.

Your responsibilities will include learning about, contributing to, or leading various program evaluation various tasks. Example tasks include:

• Assisting in designing program evaluation plans that meet the needs of client organizations and their constituents;
• Creating, testing, and improving data collection tools such as surveys, focus groups, and interview protocols;
• Analyzing qualitative and quantitative evaluation data; and
• Creating reports, infographics, and presentations.

Additionally, you will be expected to:

• Embrace cultural humility and self-reflection while serving vulnerable, oppressed, or historically marginalized people and communities;
• Develop teamwork, communication, managerial, and critical thinking skills;
• Contribute to peer mentoring through a supportive learning community by giving and receiving constructive feedback; and
• Participate fully in training, one-on-one supervision, and maintaining a reflective lab journal.

The Evaluation Lab employs student-evaluators in four positions: Evaluation Assistant I, Evaluation Assistant II, Evaluation Associate I, and Evaluation Associate II.  All student-evaluators begin in the Lab in the Evaluation Assistant I position. The starting pay for Evaluation Assistant I positions is $17 per hour. The top of the pay scale is $23 per hour.  

You will receive training, supervision, and feedback to ensure you are prepared to carry out your assigned tasks. The Lab Director will collaborate with you to align your training and assignments with your personal interests and long-term career goals. Student-evaluators are hired in as an Evaluation Assistant I. After demonstrating readiness for increased responsibility and independence, you may be promoted to a position and pay rate that better matches your performance and role in the Lab. Personnel evaluations occur twice a year where all student-evaluators are assessed for a competency-based promotion. Additional positions include Evaluation Assistant II, Evaluation Associate I, and Evaluation Associate II.

For all student-evaluators:

• A minimum commitment of 10 hours per week is required, with the potential for up to 25 hours based on your availability and project needs.
• Hours are flexible, but you must be physically present at the Lab on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Some work will occur off-campus onsite at the organization or program locations.
• The Lab recognizes all WMU holidays and breaks.

There is no one ideal candidate. We're seeking talented, motivated, and socially conscious individuals who possess:

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• An interest in or passion for learning about and using research and evaluation;
• A genuine dedication to serving the vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized in the community; and
• A desire to further social justice causes.

Familiarity with Kalamazoo is a plus, so if you grew up here or have other ties to the community, let us know! Dedication to West Michigan is also a plus, so if you wish to continue to live in West Michigan after graduation, let us know!

First-generation students and students from historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic minority groups are especially encouraged to apply.

The Lab welcomes students who received a Federal Work Study award.

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic and career journey while contributing to your community? Apply now and be a part of the Evaluation Lab's transformative impact!

When student-evaluator positions are open, WMU students can find the job posting on Handshake.

To apply, you will need to complete:

1. The application form
2. A cover letter
3. A résumé