Evaluation Center People

Katie Clontz is a doctoral student in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology Management and Education from the University of Arizona and a Master's of Science in Community and Leadership Development from the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on improving both youth and adult learner access to quality educational curricula.

Nuren D. Dihan is a doctoral student in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. She also pursued her MA in Communication Studies from the West Virginia University. Her research focus is in diversity in higher education as well as policy in higher education.

Philip Meersman is a doctoral student in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation and is interested in studying the teaching and learning processes in higher education, with emphasis on student experiences. He is especially passionate about ensuring that every student feels like they can learn and grow within any given academic environment. Philip has prior degrees in math and economics from UK (BS) and in economics from Vanderbilt University (MA), where he taught his own course in economics.

Jaylene Patterson is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Jaylene is a Research Assistant in the Evaluation Center at the University of Kentucky, following four years of teaching at the secondary and undergraduate levels. Through her current research position, she has the opportunity to work with large datasets pertaining to various areas of evaluation. She has spent much of her time in this position examining in-service teachers' level of self-efficacy regarding culturally responsive teaching, specifically looking at their ability to support English Language Learners. She has also been heavily involved in the equity research question for the Full-Service Community Schools grant. Jaylene conducts research focusing on robust measurement, statistical approaches, and survey design to gauge teacher education candidates' perceptions. Jaylene's research emphasizes the influence of whiteness in educational settings on teachers and students. She hopes that by educating teachers and students about the presence of whiteness, one can aid in developing critical awareness, cultural competence, and truly inclusive spaces for all students.

Christopher Robershaw is a doctoral student in Higher Education with an interest in philosophical and cultural inquiry. He holds degrees from Southeastern University (BS), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (MA in English), Sunderland University (PGCE), and Asbury Seminary (Mdiv and ThM). His academic journey reflects a passion for exploring the intersection of education, philosophy, and culture.

Fan Zhang is a doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion. He earned his master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Kinesiology) and Shanghai University of Sport (PE & Sports Training). His research focuses on promoting health and cultivating youth through physical activity and sports.

Nan Li was a doctoral student in Quantitative and psychometric methods. She received a B.A. in Media Production from Harbin Normal University, a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Louisville, a M.S. in Accounting from the University of Kentucky, and a graduated certificate in Research Methods in Education (RMinE) from the University of Kentucky.

Yuyan Xia is a doctoral student in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky. She received her Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education here at UK in December 2018. She has experience working in K-12 education both in China and United States.

Odunayo Omotilewa is a doctoral student in the Educational Policy studies and Evaluation Department at the University of Kentucky. She received her master’s degree in Research Methods in Education, University of Kentucky in 2022 and she earned her bachelor’s in psychology at Madonna University, Nigeria. Her research interests focus on improving learning among students and research on international students.