Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Sherry is currently seeking her PhD in educational psychology and research, with a concentration in the Evaluation, Statistics and Measurement (ESM) program. Originally from Kelso, WA, she received her BA in social science at Washington State University and her MPA in public administration at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She came to UT Knoxville, and joined EPC, in 2013. We asked her to reflect on some past and current experiences. Read her responses below.

Awards

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Travel Scholarship. Scholarship to attend annual meeting titled Higher Education at the Crossroads: Pathways to Equity and Excellence. 2016

Accomplishments

Nadel, S. & Marlow Ormsby, S. (2016, November). When an apple a day isn’t good enough: Designing a healthcare survey for rural populations. Paper for the International Conference on Questionnaire Design, Development, Evaluations, and Testing; Miami, FL.

Marlow Ormsby, S. & Cisney-Booth, A. (2016, October). Deepen your understanding using evaluative rubrics as a tool for evaluation capacity building. Skill Building Workshop for Paper for the annual meeting of the American Evaluation Association; Atlanta, GA.

Holcombe, J.M., Cowden, C. & Marlow Ormsby, S. (2016, October). Evaluation capacity building: Using problem based learning to develop critical thinking. Skill Building Workshop for Paper for the annual meeting of the American Evaluation Association; Atlanta, GA.

Marlow Ormsby, S. (2016, July). Employee engagement in higher education. Paper for the International Congress of Psychology; Yokohama, Japan.

Marlow Ormsby, S. (2016, July). Tennessee promise and first time freshman persistence scale: Understanding persistence at community colleges. Paper for the International Congress of Psychology; Yokohama, Japan.

Hiked Mt. Fuji while in Japan for the International Congress of Psychology Congress in 2016.

• Refer to Curriculum Vita or for additional details

Current Occupation

Director of Measurement and Evaluation
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Office of Planning, Evaluation & Institutional Research

Personal Interests

I enjoy traveling with my husband, family, and friends. In addition to experiencing the culture and customs, I love to seek out adventure through hiking, white water rafting, and other outdoor activities. My fur baby, Morpheus, accompanies my on most journeys as well. To recharge my batteries, sun and sand is a must!

Future/Vocational Goals

First and foremost, I anticipate graduating in May 2017. Then, I’d like to continue my career working in Institutional Effectiveness advancing skills and gaining experience.

What sold you on this program?

The one thing that sold me on the ESM program is the diversity of skills learned that can be applied in a multitude of sectors. I have had the opportunity to deepen my understanding and abilities in statistics, obtain proficiency in measurement, and expand evaluation techniques. The full compliment has enabled me to obtain employment in my chosen field.

What would you tell an incoming student who joins the program/department?

My advice to any new incoming student, in the ESM or any other graduate program, would be to try to find a work-life balance early in their program. Schedule time for yourself and not just school and work obligation.

The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling wants to congratulate the graduates from ten of our programs who earned their degrees during the fall 2016 semester.

To see photos of our recent graduates, please go to the “EPC Graduates” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Alyssa Michelle Adorati
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

John Lyman Ayers
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Rochelle Butler
PhD in Counselor Education

Lakita Renae Dawston
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Amanda Christine DeDiego
PhD in Counselor Education

Melisa Renee Donahue
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Brittany Harris Elkins
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Raven Kirby Gibson
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Emily Carter Gray
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Collaborative Learning

Melissa Ann Harness
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

DeAnna Lynn Hawtin
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Shannon Rae Huffman Frias
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Lena Karin Logan
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Courtney Myers McInturff
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Stacy Lynn O’Connell
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Cory Lemont Parker
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Annalise Christine Romeiser
MS in Counseling – Rehabilitation Counseling

Roseanne Michele Sasso
PhD in Education – Instructional Technology

Emily Pendergrast Taylor
PhD in School Psychology

Jason Tyler
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Christina Valiquette
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Dammika Lakmal Walpitage
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Kevin Wayne Webster
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

David Austin Willis
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

*If you are one of the graduates listed above and would like to have your photo added to our EPC Graduates Facebook album, then please email your picture to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu.

**If you were an Educational Psychology and Counseling student who graduated during this time frame, yet have unintentionally been omitted from this list, please send your name, degree, and major/concentration to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu. We will add you to the list after receiving this information from you and confirming your graduation status.

The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling wants to congratulate the graduates from nine of our programs who earned their degrees during the spring 2016 semester.

To see photos of our recent graduates, please go to the “EPC Graduates” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Jeffrey Beard
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Laura Healy Betz
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Lindsay Jo Bock
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Douglas Canfield
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

John Creighton Cummins
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Jamie Cyphers
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Natalie Ann Fabino
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Christine R. Hannon
PhD in Counselor Education

Hui Huang
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Madelyn Jackson
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Sara Jean-Philippe
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Sara Elizabeth Keller
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Hannah Olivia Kincaid
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Wenshu Li
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Patricia Randall Long
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Alejandra Maria Morales
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Nicole Elyce Mullinax
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Christine Kay Patti
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Glen Robert Roberts
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Anne Leslie Skutnik
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Rebecca Campbell Smeltzer
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Adult Learning

Brian Kelleher Sohn
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Mary Frances Street
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Jian Su
PhD in Education – Learning Environments and Educational Studies

Nancy Elaine Thacker
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Duren J. Thompson
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Angela Kathlene Trunzo
MS in Education – Instructional Technology

Madison Danielle Williams
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Natalie Diane Yancey
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

*If you are one of the graduates listed above and would like to have your photo added to our EPC Graduates Facebook album, then please email your picture to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu.

**If you were an Educational Psychology and Counseling student who graduated during this time frame, yet have unintentionally been omitted from this list, please send your name, degree, and major/concentration to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu. We will add you to the list after receiving this information from you and confirming your graduation status.

Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Käsbauer earned a PhD with the Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement program in 2012. Originally from Germany, she now lives and works in Oxford, England, United Kingdom. We asked her to reflect on past experiences with EPC and discuss where she’s at now. Read her responses below.

Current Occupation

Senior Research Associate
Picker Institute Europe in Oxford

Picker Institute Europe is a registered charity in England, Wales, and Scotland, which seeks to:
– Influence policy and practice so that health and social care systems are always centered around people’s needs and preferences
– Inspire the delivery of the highest quality care, developing tools and services which enable all experiences to be better understood
– Empower those working in health and social care to improve experiences by effectively measuring, and acting upon people’s feedback

Awards and Accomplishments Earned as a Student

• Recognized with the certificate for Extraordinary Professional Promise by the Chancellor’s awards.
• Held research assistant positions with the Institute for Assessment and Evaluation in the Educational Psychology and Counseling Department and the Safety, Environment, and Education Center within the Division of Student Life.
• Presented with colleagues at national and regional conferences, including the American Evaluation Association and the Eastern Evaluation Research Society.

Accomplishments since Graduating

It was important for me to find a job where I can work directly with individuals and help them make sense of and use evaluation/research findings. Conducting evaluations is great but building time directly into each project to go out and work with doctors, nurses and healthcare staff to interpret and plan for the use of the evaluation data is much more rewarding. By stepping away from the desk and engaging more with front line healthcare staff, I can help improve the experiences of patients/service users and feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Personal Interests

I teach vinyasa yoga at a local studio, YogaVenue, and Oxford Brookes University. Yoga provided me with a space for relaxation and helped me strengthen my endurance in challenging situations during my studies. I now enjoy teaching and sharing these benefits with other students and the local community.

What sold you on this program/department/university?

The small program, individual feedback from faculty, the mentorship and opportunities for multiple practicum/internships.

What would you tell an incoming/current student in the program/department?

Get to know your fellow students, co-workers, and professors as persons. You will spend a lot of time with them and they genuinely care about your success. It helps when you understand who is working towards what in their own career, and how you can both help and learn from them.

Also, find something outside of work and studies that you are really passionate about. It will help you unwind and put your experiences as a student into a bigger perspective.

How did your experiences as a student help you in your professional/personal life after graduation?

Over the course of my studies, I worked on over 50 different evaluation projects. This was a huge asset, as I had already experienced so may different personalities and agendas that can affect the work of an evaluator. Also, through the advanced courses offered in the ESM program, I walked away with a great set of skills that allowed me to successfully lead and manage my own evaluation projects.

“The Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement program prepared me well for a career in the field of evaluation. The combination of mentorship and many practical evaluation field experiences helped me feel confident in my job after graduation. The small program also made it easy to connect with other students and create networks.

Thank you to all my mentors, professors and fellow students for your continued support.

Finally, the kindness of the supporting staff at the University of Tennessee still stands out to me today.”

Nineteen members of EPC were commended at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony on April 27, 2016.

To see photos from the event, please go to the “CEHHS Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony 4.27.16” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Awards

College Senate Departmental Staff Award
Recognizes a departmental-level non-exempt staff person who has provided exceptional contributions to his/her department (going above & beyond job expectations to accomodate students and faculty, contributing to a positive and supportive work culture and environment.

Synthia Clark
Administrative Specialist I

“I am so lucky to work in a department with such caring, supportive, and appreciative individuals!”

The Helen B. Watson Faculty/Student Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation
Awarded to a student and the faculty member who directed the outstanding doctoral dissertation within the departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Educational Psychology and Counseling; Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies; or Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

CEHHS Board of Advisors Faculty Support Award
Awarded to recognize current/past accomplishments or future projects of one outstanding faculty member for teaching/research/service efforts in any area within CEHHS.

R. Steve McCallum
Professor in School Psychology

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the CEHHS Board of Advisors for their recognition and support of my work. Over the years I have worked closely with board members and know firsthand of their many contributions to the college!”

Recognition

 Casey A. Barrio Minton
Associate Professor in Counselor Education

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Editor of Journal of Counselor Leadership & Advocacy
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Evaluating Student Learning Outcomes in Counselor Education. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Outstanding Research Award from Chi Sigma Iota International

Bonnie Bull
Administrative Support Assistant III

– Recognized under University of Tennessee Support Staff Service Awards for five years of service

Stephanie Cowherd
Associate Director of Corporate Connections for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Tennessee DHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services/UT CLEE from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, $788,443

Joel F. Diambra
Associate Department Head & Director of Graduate Studies

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Outstanding Counselor Educator of the Year from the Tennessee Association for Counselor Education and Supervision

Patrick L. Dunn
Program Co-Coordinator for Rehabilitation Counseling

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Long-Term Training: Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf from the US Department of Education – Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, $148,492

Sandra Fugate
Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (2000-2015)

Melinda Gibbons
Program Coordinator for Counselor Education/School Counseling

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Associate Editor of Professional School Counseling Journal
– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the PIPES: Possibilities in Postsecondary Education and Science among Rural Appalachian Youth from the Office of Research Infrastructure Program, $209,136

Aaron Kohring
Director for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the LINCS Regional Professional Development Centers Program from the US Department of Education, $284,750 and the Transition & Self Determination Support from the Tennessee Department of Education, $549,105

Robert Kronick
Professor for School Counseling & Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Alumni Public Service Award
– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the University-Assisted Community School from the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Inc., $100,000

R. Steve McCallum
Professor for School Psychology

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Founder & Consulting Editor of Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Handbook of Reading Assessment: A One-Stop Resource for Prospective and Practicing Educators. Routledge: Taylor and Francis
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test 2. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed Publishing Company
– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Research & Creative Achievement Award

Merilee McCurdy
Program Coordinator for School Psychology

– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being Chair of Council for Directors of School Psychology Programs

Jennifer Ann Morrow
Program Coordinator for Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Excellence in Teaching Award

Roma Powis
Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (2004-2015)

Stephanie Robinson
Institute for Assessment & Evaluation

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (1994-2015)

Connie Settle
Institute for Assessment & Evaluation

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (1993-2015)

Barbara Thayer-Bacon
Program Coordinator for Learning Environments & Educational Studies/Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Philosophy and Education

Connie White
Associate Director of School & Family Programs for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Tennessee Teachers’ Professional Development Event Support from the Tennessee Department of Education, $2,214,746 and the Tennessee Teachers’ Professional Development Event Support from the Tennessee Department of Education, $877,092