About the Evaluator
After many years teaching college composition and literature, Dr. Rasher became a full-time evaluator and grant support specialist in 2015. They use a collaborative partnership model that engages clients at every stage of the evaluation process. Their current and recent projects have ranged from early childhood to higher education, working with both large, well-funded projects and individual researchers. They use their Humanities background to support insightful and meaningful qualitative data collection and analysis, and to develop strategies for communicating quantitative outcomes in ways that are accessible, informative, and visually appealing. They balance this with proficiency in SPSS and statistical analysis. Dr. Rasher is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Japanese. They proudly co-direct an independent, certified woman-owned family business based in the Chicago area and serving projects throughout Illinois and the United States.
Evaluation Background
I specialize in...
- Qualitative methods
- Mixed methods
- Culturally responsive evaluation
- Participatory evaluation approaches
I have worked with projects in the areas of:
- NSF projects other than ATE (e.g., IUSE, S-STEM, AISL, HSI, ADVANCE)
- Projects at two-year colleges
- STEM education projects supported by funder other than NSF
Training and Certifications
- Certificate in evaluation
- Professional development workshops, webinars, or online courses on evaluation
Outside of Work, I enjoy...
…cuddling my three cats and exploring Chicago with my wife, family, and friends. I co-host a podcast on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and love watching, reading, and talking about science fiction. I’m a former youth figure skater and an avid gardener.
A Successful Evaluation...
…communicates data and outcomes in ways that promote understanding and future growth. It analyzes successes and challenges with equal rigor. Project leaders and participants are involved at all stages and guide all decisions. Metrics and instruments are thoughtfully chosen.
My Working Style...
…I like to set up a clear structure and schedule at the beginning, so we have a framework we can be flexible with later. Weekly check-ins build relationships, make sure everyone is communicating, and keep us all accountable.
EvaluATE is supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 2332143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.