Welcome to the Evaluation and Research Team
About the Evaluation and Research Team
The Evaluation and Research Team is a multi-disciplinary unit dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through evaluation and research partnerships with both local and national nonprofit organizations.
We utilize a mixed-methods, partnership-based approach throughout data collection, interpretation, and reporting. Our team is committed to supporting our research and evaluation partners through ongoing communication and collaboration.
The Evaluation and Research Team members have backgrounds in research and practice related to early childhood, K-12 education, and social work.
We Value:
- Listening to family and community voices
- Understanding and reducing disparities, inequities, and opportunity gaps
- Being research-based and innovative
- Letting community needs drive our agenda
- Bringing respect for families and communities, and rigorous research together
- Taking an ecological approach across contexts and the lifespan
- A commitment to community capacity-building
Who We Are
Amanda Brown Cross, PhD, Director of Research and Evaluation. Amanda received a doctorate in Criminology from the University of Maryland. Her research interests and experience are in school-and community-based prevention and intervention and in experimental methods and program evaluation. She has been particularly involved in work with high-risk youth. Amanda has extensive experience working closely with community-based youth- and family-serving agencies in the Pittsburgh region. She has published peer-reviewed research on both qualitative and quantitative analysis of community- and school-based programs.
Courtney Grondziowski Crisan, MS, LBS, Evaluation and Research Manager. Courtney received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Saint Vincent College and master’s degree in applied developmental psychology with a focus in applied research methods for child and youth serving organizations from the University of Pittsburgh. Her experience includes interdisciplinary program research and evaluation, as well as direct practice with neurodiverse populations. Courtney hopes to help improve equitable outcomes across early childhood as part of the Evaluation and Research Team.
Kimberly Goldstein, MPA, Senior Research and Evaluation Supervisor. Kim earned her Master of Public Administration degree, majoring in Public & Nonprofit Management, from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in addition to receiving her bachelor's degree from Pitt in history and urban studies. Kim’s professional background has focused on supporting children, youth, and families in educational and community settings. Her areas of expertise include early childhood education, community-based research and evaluation, and project management. She is passionate about using data to inform equitable decision making and inspire creative thinking to ensure our most vulnerable populations are given the opportunity to thrive.
Andrea Lown, M.Ed., Evaluation Manager, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Andrea is certified as a PreK-12 Principal and Level II Elementary and Early Childhood Educator in Pennsylvania. She completed her principal certification coursework through Point Park University, and she earned a Master of Education Degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Penn State University. Her experience includes serving as a Head Start supervisor and instructional coach and teaching education courses at a community college. She worked as a supervising teacher in a program with children birth through age 5, and she has taught at the elementary level. Her grant work has focused on developing partnerships with families, promoting effective teacher-child interactions, and supporting early childhood professionals with high quality instructional practices and curriculum implementation.
Lindsay Minnich, MA, Evaluation Coordinator, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Lindsay earned a bachelor’s degree in biology education and a master’s in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During her time at IUP, Lindsay served as a Graduate Director, facilitating the growth and development of residential students and student staff in the largest residence hall on campus. Lindsay is interested in combining her experiences and degrees towards making a difference in the lives of young children and their families as they navigate the school system at all levels.
Britney Spotts, BA, Evaluation Coordinator, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Britney earned a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Business from Penn State University. Her experience includes coordinating two large studies on perinatal maternal mental health and infant development. During her time at Penn State, she assisted on multiple research projects, including a family mealtime study, a study utilizing data from daycare centers, and a classroom observation study.
Elizabeth Campbell, BS, Senior Evaluation Coordinator, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Elizabeth earned her dual bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in Neuroscience and Psychology. She has worked in data analysis and research at the Center for Imaging Science at Johns Hopkins University, the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Sheppard Pratt, and the University of Pittsburgh PET Research Center. In recent years, she has been a substitute teacher for grades K-12, a volunteer with Susquehanna Service Dogs, and a mother of two children.
Contact ERT
Evaluation and Research Team
ocdert@pitt.edu
