Hello there! My name is monique liston, and I have the honor of co-directing the the American Evaluation Association’s Graduate Education Diversity Internship (GEDI) Program with my dear colleagues Dr. Lisa Aponte-Soto and Dr. Saúl I. Maldonado. All three of us are GEDI alumni and had the pleasure of leading the TWENTIETH cohort of GEDI scholars this past year! I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on a program that holds a special place in my heart today. As someone passionate about inclusive practices in education and evaluation, I believe this initiative is crucial for creating more equity within our field.
The GEDI Program, hosted by the AEA, stands as an opportunity for aspiring evaluators from underrepresented backgrounds as they navigate graduate school. This invaluable initiative provides real-world experience and cultivates a supportive community where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed but celebrated.
Programs like GEDI play a pivotal role by opening doors to talented individuals who might not traditionally have access to such opportunities. GEDI contributes significantly to enriching the fabric of evaluation practice.
The GEDI Program embodies the spirit of inclusion and empowerment by equipping participants with practical skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities essential for their professional growth and success using culturally responsive evaluation. Culturally responsive evaluation is an approach that acknowledges and incorporates the cultural contexts and perspectives of all evaluation beneficiaries involved in the evaluation process. It aims to ensure that evaluation practices are equitable, respectful, and relevant to the diverse cultural backgrounds of the individuals and communities being assessed. Moreover, it underscores the importance of representation within the evaluation community, ensuring that voices from all backgrounds are heard and valued. The insights and ideas that emerge from a diverse cohort of evaluators enhance the quality of evaluations and drive innovation and creativity in problem-solving.
This week, I’m particularly excited as we celebrate the insights and experiences of scholars who recently completed the GEDI Program in June 2024. Their blog posts offer a firsthand glimpse into how the program has empowered them to navigate the complexities of evaluation with confidence and cultural competence. These scholars bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and innovative ideas, highlighting the program’s impact on their professional journeys and the broader evaluation community.
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I encourage evaluators wholeheartedly to support the American Evaluation Association’s GEDI Program at eval.org/GEDI. By backing this initiative, evaluators contribute directly to cultivating a more diverse and inclusive evaluation community. Your support enables aspiring evaluators from underrepresented backgrounds to access invaluable opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and networking. By fostering diversity within our field, we enhance the quality and relevance of evaluations and promote equity and social justice. Let’s empower the next generation of evaluators to bring their unique perspectives and insights to the forefront of evaluation practice. Visit eval.org/GEDI to learn how you can make a meaningful impact today.
The American Evaluation Association is hosting Graduate Education Diversity Internship (GEDI) Program week. The contributions all this week to AEA365 come from AEA’s GEDI Program and its interns. For more information on GEDI, see their webpage here. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to AEA365@eval.org. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.