The Evaluation Center is excited to highlight its 2022 graduate students from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. The Evaluation Center values its reciprocal relationship with student workers, who learn about program evaluation, strategic planning, and data collection and analysis as they assist us with partner projects. A big congrats to Zoey, Raven, and Alleia on graduating this May! Read on to learn more about our students.
Manyi-Eyong Ayuk
How has the Evaluation Center prepared you for life after graduate school?
I was unfamiliar with evaluation sciences before I started here. The Evaluation Center allows me to apply my classroom knowledge and collaborate on projects in diverse topics and settings. The mixed methods approach we use also helps me improve my quantitative skills and strengthen my qualitative muscle.
What are you most looking forward to with the return of warm weather?
I’m excited to be able to use the heat to justify eating ice cream every day. Sweets just hit differently during the summertime.
Raven Brown
How has the Evaluation Center prepared you for your future career?
The Evaluation Center helps me hone in on the fundamental skills around program implementation and evaluation that will be the foundation for my future endeavors as a public health social worker.
Which sports teams do you root for?
I don’t follow sports, but if they just so happen to come up, I’m cheering for all Wisconsin teams. Go Bucks, Brew Crew, Badgers, and Packers!
Zoey Dlott
What is one thing you’ve learned while working at the Evaluation Center?
Where do I start! I have learned so much while working at the Evaluation Center, including how to write theme reports, use SPSS syntax, and present findings to partners.
Do you volunteer anywhere?
I currently foster dogs for Home 2 Home Canine Orphanage! It has been extremely rewarding and I am looking forward to many more furry cuddles in the future.
Nina Lukow
How has the Evaluation Center helped prepare you for your future career?
While I’m only finishing up my first of three years at the Brown School as a dual degree student, I can already see how much my skills have grown at the Evaluation Center. From designing logic models to analyzing different types of data, EC has deepened my understanding of the impact evaluation process.
What was your most memorable Spring Break?
I visited a friend in NYC, who gave me a walking tour of Manhattan. We walked eleven miles from Brooklyn, to Manhattan, and back!
Leah Nason
What is one thing about your work as an evaluator that you’re proud of?
I’m proud of my work on data analysis and data visualization. I love learning new ways to present data and facilitate conversations about data insights. Human-centered storying and data are really important parts of bringing about change and I’m excited to be part of a team that recognizes that.
What’s your favorite thing to do during the St. Louis summer?
I love going for walks at Laumeier Sculpture Park and taking photos with my trusty Nikon FM.
Michael Paster
What is one thing about your work as an evaluator that you’re proud of?
I am proud to have sharpened my skills in qualitative data preparation and analysis. I am also glad I could engage with communities I personally care about. I hope that my contributions have positive implications on the communities we served in the work.
What is one of your family’s holiday traditions?
One of my family’s holiday traditions is to come together and watch a movie. I’ve been introduced to many great films on holidays, like Lord of the Rings, Inception, and Star Wars. So, holidays get me excited to spend time with people I love, full from a delicious meal, and immersed in a great film.
Alleia Pluymers
What is one thing you’ve learned while working at the Evaluation Center?
How to conduct thorough and thoughtful qualitative analysis.
What do you do to stay organized?
Day planner, day planner, day planner
Do you prefer the ocean, a lake, river, or pool?
I’ll take all four please!
What do you like on your pizza?
Cheese and friendship