As the associate director for evaluation and research, Amanda focuses on the Einhorn Center’s impact across stakeholders and in the field of community-engaged learning. She’s interested in storytelling with data, program evaluation and student learning assessment. Amanda also supports engaged research efforts and grants.
Amanda received her Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in political science and international relations. Her research questions examine the (im)probabilities of radical change agendas in institutions, with applications in higher education and institutions of politics. She has a long history with practices of the feminist classroom, but she found her way to service-learning and community engagement when she served with Americorps VISTA after she completed her Ph.D. She learned the ropes of faculty development at Northeastern University and brings to Cornell her experience as the director of academic and strategic initiatives with Campus Compact, a national nonprofit that supports service-learning and engagement at 1,100 campuses across the nation.
Amanda’s current research investigates the creation of “engaged learning economies” that align community and economic engagement in community-campus partnerships focused on impact. She is also working with a colleague to develop a single case study of engagement growth at the community-college level. She has a strong interest in measurement, assessment and program evaluation.
Amanda served on the Board of AmericaSCORES Boston, a nonprofit dedicated to using soccer and poetry to inspire Boston youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. She also supported local agriculture and food justice through Union Square Main Streets and the Union Square Farmer’s Market in Somerville, Massachusetts.
The best part of Amanda’s job
Leveraging networks of committed people for social change is inspiring. And I love the diversity of expertise at Cornell!
Fun fact
I’ve snorkeled over a tectonic plate.