Kathleen Lis Dean, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Cleveland, Oh, Us

Lead a portfolio of evaluation projects for higher education and nonprofit clients’ multi-year grants from private foundations and federal agencies and contribute to collaborative efforts across the firm’s portfolio.Engage clients in an evaluative process for learning and improvement to inform successful implementation and outcomes for projects focused on achieving systems change, student success, workforce development, transformational business models, network building, and strengthening institutions.Use formative, summative, and developmental approaches to design logic models using theories of change, develop mixed method data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interview and focus group protocols), facilitate data collection and analysis, and author evaluation plans to meet client needs.Facilitate client meetings to support implementation, data collection, and learning.Leverage knowledge management and sensemaking approaches to translate findings into action-oriented recommendations.

Coach cross-functional teams through the development and implementation of strategies for improving student learning assessment including articulating goals, navigating campus systems, increasing collaboration and engagement, and improving communication.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Initiated, implemented, and adapted tools and practices to inform strategy and improve practice in support of the organization’s mission. Held organization accountable for strategic plan implementation through in-depth plan knowledge, project management, and reporting. Initiated and facilitated strategic review, resulting in priority re-definition and identification of strategic opportunities. Used organizational data and facilitation to help staff and board answer key questions, generate insights, and identify action. Leveraged knowledge of effective teams and organizational behavior as a strategic thought partner to senior and program staff on issues including meeting dynamics, team culture, process improvement, and strategic alignment. Staffed board Evaluation and Learning Committee, including agenda generation, pre-read identification, presentation development, and meeting facilitation. Cultivated productive relationships with foundation and nonprofit partners through coaching and training to build evaluation and organizational learning capacity.

Cleveland, Oh | Greater Philadelphia Area

Conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis; synthesized key themes, patterns, and trends; developed presentations, and facilitated discussions to improve institutional outcomes including workplace quality, stakeholder engagement, culture, and climate.

Facilitated the analysis, reporting, visualization, and use of a broad range institutional and survey data on student engagement, instructional costs, benchmark comparisons, and workplace climate (e.g., NSSE, CIRP, Great Colleges to Work For, the National Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity, and IPEDS).Supported the academic program review process and served as a consultant and expert resource for the continued development and implementation of outcomes assessment processes and policies in a new core curriculum. Initiated the university's first alumni outcomes survey to address broad institutional needs, and led survey development and implementation in partnership with Alumni Relations.Developed an educational quality framework incorporating institutional characteristics and priorities that improved data organization and reporting on institutional effectiveness.

University Heights, Oh

Co-led a two-year, 26-person cross-divisional committee to identify and analyze evidence, edit a comprehensive self-study report, educate and involve the campus community, manage logistics for the campus visit, and address federal compliance. Identified key areas for needed institutional improvements and made recommendations that were implemented in the areas of student learning and alumni outcomes assessment, course evaluation, program review, strategic planning, and employee engagement.Developed institutional learning goals and supported program-level student learning outcomes assessment in academic units.

Actively participated in the development of a new core curriculum as part of the academic planning process. Advised the committee on assessment processes and the inclusion of learning outcomes assessment within the new curriculum; ensured the integration of assessment into the successful proposal. Served as a liaison and advocate for Student Affairs and the co-curriculum. Authored a successful proposal for a competitive AAC&U assessment workshop; led a faculty team in the development of a comprehensive learning outcomes assessment plan for the new curriculum based on the use of AAC&U VALUE rubrics.

Led divisional assessment efforts, including disseminating and presenting assessment findings, developing staff capacity, coordinating quantitative and qualitative data collection, and facilitating data use. Chaired divisional assessment team and served on the university assessment committee. Assisted vice president with divisional leadership and management responsibilities, including the development of an annual reporting process. Provided support to the student affairs committee of the Board of Directors. Initiated and developed mission-based orientation program session for all incoming students.

Facilitated an inclusive, division-wide process to develop and articulate student learning goals. Developed divisional outcomes assessment program by building staff capacity, coordinating quantitative and qualitative data collection, and disseminating assessment data.

• Facilitated an annual, three-day leadership development workshop for a group of new chapter presidents.• Provided expert support and guidance for discussions of principled leadership, self and cultural awareness, constituent relations, conflict management, chapter operations, resource utilization, accountability, and strategic planning based on the fraternity’s core values.

Ph.D., Education Policy And Leadership -- Higher Education

Dissertation: At the base of the bridge: A case study of boundary spanning by members of a university’s presidential leadership team. This.

M.Ed., College Counseling/Student Personnel Administration

B.A., International Relations

Activities and Societies: Golden Blues a cappella, student theatre