Evaluation is heavy. Working in the institution is heavy. We want to help.
A Free Community of Practice for Higher Education Evaluators + Assessment Pros Who Have Been Feeling Conflicted or Stuck
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You know exactly what it looks like and how it feels:
- Looking at a spreadsheet and knowing that it doesn’t accurately represent the nuances and complexities of your clients’ lives … but it’s what funding will be based on
- Attempting to meet the tension between accountability and change – and not being sure you’re doing it right
- Walking into a conference room and you’re expected to leave your personal values at the door, but you can’t turn off 30+ years of belief
- Trying your very best to be “objective” but you’re working with clients who are in the exact situation you grew up in – and you’re having a hard time making “data-based” recommendations
Evaluation in higher education is at a crossroads.
With the increasing commodification of education, we need evaluators who are willing to ask the hard questions and challenge the status quo. This CoP is your chance to join that movement—and to do so for free.
Apply to JoinThe higher education space has become so commodified that we evaluators often end up feeling like cogs in the machine, disconnected from the purpose that attracted us to this career in the first place.
We get it because we’ve been there – sometimes we’re still there! Between the three of us – Deven Wisner, Libby Smith, and Tiffany (Smith) Tovey – we have 20+ years of evaluation experience. We also have extensive experience holding space for critical reflection and dialogue with passionate people seeking transformative change.
Collectively, we’ve experienced pretty much every snag, struggle, or misstep that’s possible in this industry. And we want to help you work through them.
Designed for busy professionals in higher education evaluation and assessment
Our free pilot Community of Practice will bring together a small group of folks just like you – people working in higher education evaluation who are looking for space to think together. This community is designed to help you rediscover your passion for evaluation while giving you the tools and support you need to navigate conflicts between personal, project, and institutional values. We’ve structured it to be as engaging and manageable as possible!
- 4 sessions: Each session is 3 hours long, with plenty of breaks to keep things fresh.
- Real dialogue with real impact: This isn’t about lectures or information overload. You’ll engage in hands-on dialogue, reflection, and action planning.
- A cohort of about eight participants: A small dialogic group ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and that meaningful connections are made.
- Practical tools: You’ll leave each session with insights and strategies that you can immediately apply in your work.
- 100% Free: Since this is a pilot, you get access to all of this at no cost.
What will you get from our Community of Practice?
Apply to JoinA strong support system
You’ll have a place to share those internal struggles without judgment, with peers who understand. You’ll be part of a small, close-knit group of evaluators who can relate to your challenges and help you explore actionable solutions.
You’ll have a place to share those internal struggles without judgment, with peers who understand. You’ll be part of a small, close-knit group of evaluators who can relate to your challenges and help you explore actionable solutions.
Clarity on your value
Sometimes the values of the institution, or our projects, don’t match our own. This tension can make you question your role, your decisions, and even your career path. Gain the confidence and tools you need to navigate value conflicts in your day-to-day practice.
Have tough conversations in a safe space
In most professional settings, we’re taught to avoid conflict, particularly when it comes to discussing values. But real growth happens when we lean into these conversations. Our CoP is a space for honest, open dialogue about the hard stuff—the things that keep you up at night. Whether it’s tension between your personal beliefs and the expectations of your institution, or the pressure to conform to “data-driven” models that don’t account for the human side of evaluation, we’ll unpack these challenges together.
Sometimes the values of the institution, or our projects, don’t match our own. This tension can make you question your role, your decisions, and even your career path. Gain the confidence and tools you need to navigate value conflicts in your day-to-day practice.
Have tough conversations in a safe space
In most professional settings, we’re taught to avoid conflict, particularly when it comes to discussing values. But real growth happens when we lean into these conversations. Our CoP is a space for honest, open dialogue about the hard stuff—the things that keep you up at night. Whether it’s tension between your personal beliefs and the expectations of your institution, or the pressure to conform to “data-driven” models that don’t account for the human side of evaluation, we’ll unpack these challenges together.
Gain practical tools to move beyond reflection to take action
Reflection is powerful, but it’s not enough on its own. In this CoP, you’ll also consider practical, action-oriented strategies and tools for navigating values conflicts and turning your insights into tangible change. Whether it’s improving the way you engage with stakeholders, crafting more values-aligned evaluations, or simply feeling more grounded in your decision-making process, you’ll walk away with strategies you can implement immediately.
Reflection is powerful, but it’s not enough on its own. In this CoP, you’ll also consider practical, action-oriented strategies and tools for navigating values conflicts and turning your insights into tangible change. Whether it’s improving the way you engage with stakeholders, crafting more values-aligned evaluations, or simply feeling more grounded in your decision-making process, you’ll walk away with strategies you can implement immediately.
Get access to collective problem-solving
We’re stronger together. You have a chance to explore your own values and conflicts while contributing to and mutually benefiting from the collective wisdom of your peers. Through collaborative reflective practice, we’ll tackle real-world problems and generate solutions that can make a difference in your professional life.
We’re stronger together. You have a chance to explore your own values and conflicts while contributing to and mutually benefiting from the collective wisdom of your peers. Through collaborative reflective practice, we’ll tackle real-world problems and generate solutions that can make a difference in your professional life.
Who should join?
This community is perfect for you if:
- You work in higher education evaluation or assessment.
- You have a feeling that there’s something untapped in your work that needs further exploration
- You’re grappling with values misalignment and want a space to reflect, share, and grow.
- You’re looking for a like-minded peer group to support you through tough questions.
- You want to engage in critical, transformative dialogue about the role of values in evaluation.
Why join now?
This isn’t just another professional development opportunity—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. As part of this free pilot, you’ll be able to shape the future of this community and gain access to a community of practitioners looking to work toward the common good together, intentionally and thoughtfully.
Space is limited to just 8 people, and they’ll fill up fast. If you’re ready to gain a deeper understanding of your values, connect with others, and make a real impact in your work, apply today.
Join our FREE 4-session Community of PracticeSpace is limited to just 8 people, and they’ll fill up fast. If you’re ready to gain a deeper understanding of your values, connect with others, and make a real impact in your work, apply today.