Information for Students
"The Evaluation Lab was eye opening for potential careers as well as great experience of working with organizations and starting a network." - 2019 Evaluation Lab Fellow
The Evaluation Lab serves the dual purpose of training students and providing high quality program evaluation services to community organizations in New Mexico. The idea is to harness the rigorous analytical and quantitative skills of academia to serve the public good. Students accepted into the program enroll in a two-semester Evaluation Lab course sequence that emphasizes collaborative and culturally competent problem-solving, robust data analysis, and creative ways of communicating technical information applied to a community organization’s evaluation project. In addition to hands-on learning in the classroom, students work in partnership with non-profit community organizations to develop and implement evaluation plans under the supervision of an Evaluation Lab Team Lead.
By relying on expertise across campus and in the community who conduct workshops and lectures, students are exposed to many different data collection and analysis approaches. Our guest speakers have provided perspectives on community-based participatory research (Dr. Nina Wallerstein, UNM Public Health), racial equity (Dr. Nancy Lopez, UNM Sociology), evidence-based criteria (Dr. Rebecca Kilburn, RAND Corporation), qualitative research methods (Dr. Claudia Isaac, UNM Community and Regional Planning) and mapping social ecologies (Tom Scharmen, NM Department of Health and the NM Community Data Collaborative).
Why should you become an Evaluation Lab Fellow?
You will...- Gain practical experience in your
- Earn 6 graduate credits in public policy, economics, sociology or political science over two (Students from related fields are welcome and suggestions for cross-listing courses in other departments also welcome.)
- Learn program evaluation skills, including collaborative and culturally competent problem-solving, quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, and creative ways of communicating information through the visual display of data.
- Develop new data collection instruments and data analysis tools that will help organizations build capacity in program evaluation.
- Create effective evaluation plans and processes in conjunction with community
- Earn a stipend of $500 in each semester of the two-semester
Who is eligible?
UNM graduate students in any department may apply. Students must have completed at least one statistics course or social sciences methods course with a grade of B or higher. Students must register for two courses (described below) in the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters, respectively. The Fall course will be offered on Mondays 1:00-3:30 pm.
What is the Evaluation Lab?
The Evaluation Lab serves the dual purpose of training students in applied research and building program evaluation capacity in community organizations that serve vulnerable families in New Mexico. The idea is to harness the rigorous analytical and quantitative skills of academia to serve the public good.
What does the fellowship involve?
Fellows take two 3-credit courses: Evaluation Lab I in the Fall and Evaluation Lab II in the Spring. The courses are offered as CR/NC though letter grades is available depending on cross-listed section students enroll.
Evaluation Lab I emphasizes collaborative and culturally competent problem-solving, data analysis, and creative ways of communicating technical information. Student teams partner with non-profit community organizations, and class assignments are tailored to meet organization needs. A faculty member or a research scientist from one of UNM’s policy centers will mentor the student teams.
In Evaluation Lab II student teams complete the evaluation projects started in Evaluation Lab I under the supervision of mentors. Classes are conducted as a supportive learning community in which teams present work in progress and receive peer and expert feedback.
Fellows are expected to complete both courses.
Is the fellowship paid?
Fellows receive a modest stipend of $500 per semester, for a total of $1,000.
How many fellowships will be offered?
There are 8 slots available.
Who is the ideal candidate?
There is no one ideal candidate. We are looking for talented and hardworking students with a passion for undertaking applied research in the service of the community. Familiarity with New Mexico is a plus, so if you grew up here or have other ties to the community, let us know! Dedication to New Mexico is also a plus, so if you wish to continue to live in New Mexico after graduation, let us know!
First generation students and students belonging to historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic minority groups are encouraged to apply.
How do I apply? Apply here!
