88 - Fostering Mentorship, Kinship, and Modeling Approaches for the Next Generation of Underrepresented Evaluators

Abstract Information: As a Native American, evaluator of over two decades within the academy and beyond, a strong Indigenous lens informs my mentorship for new emerging underrepresented evaluators. Drawing from traditional teachings, I will illustrate my approaches to fostering interpersonal development; create sustainable educational perspectives, along with professional, and community pathways for the emerging underrepresented evaluators. Additionally, the session will model methods for teaching across diverse generations and contexts. Of equal importance is the capacity for emerging evaluators to navigate between their own self-identity perspectives, learning, and the intersection of teaching methods. This enables them to actively engage with other evaluators, listen to the voices of community, and integrate knowledge, and cultural influences that may shape their professional field. The encouragement of their personal narratives, beliefs, and biases is at the core of avoiding socio-cultural missteps as they navigate the field. Accomplished through embedded flexibility and adaptability that allows for adjustments based on learning, cultural nuances, programming contexts and population needs. The utilization of collaborations with community members, organizations, and experts in the field enhances their knowledge base and practice. This Expert Lecture will highlight, illustrate and provide examples to the following: • Pipeline programs: Establish and support pipeline programs that can provide mentorship, training, and network opportunities. • Scholarships and Fellowships that offer financial support to underrepresented students pursuing evaluation-related opportunities or degrees. • Field opportunities: Integrating emerging evaluators with academic opportunities and with community. • Culturally Responsive Training: Develop training programs that incorporate culturally responsive approaches. This includes recognizing diverse learning styles, incorporating diverse perspectives, and addressing cultural biases in evaluation methods. • Advocate for Systemic Changes: Advocacy efforts should focus on addressing structural barriers, promoting diversity in leadership positions, and challenging biases with the evaluation field. This Expert Lecture will offer a dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of mentoring underrepresented emerging evaluators within academia and in the field. How the relationship of cultural kinship and co-creation of real-world application fosters the expansion of the evaluation field.