The Evaluation Lab at Western Michigan University celebrates one year of impact

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Evaluation Lab, a unit within The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University (WMU), marked its first anniversary on Jan. 17. The lab provides affordable evaluation services to Kalamazoo-area organizations while providing hands-on training in program evaluation to WMU students from a wide range of academic disciplines.

Experience-driven learning grows skills, confidence and connections

In its first year, the lab hired 11 students majoring in accountancy, anthropology, business analytics, computer science, nonprofit administration, political science, social work and more. The lab’s student evaluators gain resume-worthy experience while providing evaluation and related services to local organizations.

Charlie DeGraves, a junior, shared, “The Evaluation Lab has been my favorite part of my time at WMU. By working here, I have developed genuine, deep connections with my coworkers and boss, found a safe space on campus to be myself and gained valuable experience in the nonprofit and social justice space.”

Jill Eck, who graduated in December, reflected on her time with the lab, saying, "I gained a lot of hands-on experience working with nonprofit organizations, building my leadership skills and gaining education in evaluation. I now have greater confidence in myself and my abilities. I was accepted into the University of Michigan's Master of Social Work program focusing on community change. I truly believe the lab was pivotal in helping me reach this point."

For Lori Wingate, executive director of The Evaluation Center, creating and launching the lab has been a career highlight. 

“Seeing the lab take off has been immensely rewarding,” Wingate remarks.  “The lab aligns with WMU’s emphasis on experience-driven learning. The lab’s student-employees are learning and using skills that will give them a competitive edge when they enter the professional workforce. They all take the work seriously because it’s not just a classroom exercise. What they do makes a difference for the lab’s partner organizations and the people involved in the programs they evaluate.”

Local partnerships and impact

During its first year, the lab secured contracts with five local agencies and nonprofits and is contributing to evaluations of various University initiatives. In addition to supporting the City of Kalamazoo’s Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 initiative, the lab is designing and conducting evaluations for programs working to enhance local entrepreneurship, journalism and nonprofit management. 

The mix of projects has created opportunities for the lab’s employees to develop and practice a wide range of skills that they can leverage in their future careers. The lab’s student-employees have:

• Designed and conducted multiple surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
• Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data.
• Prepared reports, data visualizations and presentations to share findings.
• Created logic models to depict how various programs are expected to bring about change.
• Met with organizational leaders and program participants to ensure services are tailored to their needs.

“The lab offers WMU students the opportunity to work on real-world projects that advance their professional skills,” says Brandon Youker, director of the Evaluation Lab. “Plus, the projects connect them to the people in our community. Seeing them develop critical evaluation skills while serving our community is exciting."

Professional engagement and recognition

Thanks to support from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the lab staff also benefit from professional development opportunities. Several of the lab’s employees attended the 2024 Michigan Association for Evaluation conference in East Lansing, Michigan, where they connected with professional evaluators working in diverse contexts across the state. This year, the lab staff prepared and submitted a conference proposal to share the lab’s lessons learned.

Dr. Felicia Bohanon, the 2024 American Evaluation Association (AEA) president, met with the Evaluation Lab’s staff when she visited WMU in March 2024. It made such an impression that she acknowledged the lab in her plenary address at AEA’s national conference in October. In describing her own professional trajectory, Bohanon explained, “When I began my journey, I didn’t have a clear understanding of what an evaluator does and didn’t know anyone from my community who earned their living doing that kind of work. This is why programs like the one at Western Michigan University, which gives undergraduate students paid opportunities to learn about the field of evaluation, are important.”

Three student-employees and Youker were featured in a recent Evaluation Café, a speakers series hosted by The Evaluation Center. About 50 people from across the country attended the hybrid presentation to learn about the lab and how it centers students in its work. During a question-and-answer session, Samin al-Mahi, a senior majoring in computer science and business analytics, described his job as an evaluation associate I at the lab as “the best campus job.” He explained, “I feel good about doing the work I have done. I feel like it can definitely impact other people's lives.”

Looking to the future

“As the lab enters its second year, we’re excited to continue growing and learning alongside the organizations we serve,” says Youker. “We are deeply grateful for the community’s support, amazed at the student talent the lab draws, and are entirely honored to serve our community through evaluation and data services.”

For more information about The Evaluation Lab or to inquire about services, please visit wmich.edu/evaluation-lab.

About The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University

The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University advances evaluation theory, practice, and use through scholarship, education, partnership, leadership, and stewardship. To learn more about The Evaluation Center, visit wmich.edu/evaluation.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.