Extension Evaluation & Evaluation Leadership is a developmental learning experience designed to build evaluation expertise among Extension professionals. Participants will strengthen their ability to plan and manage evaluation projects, align data collection with program goals, select and apply appropriate quantitative or qualitative analysis methods, and clearly communicate evaluation findings.

Through guided learning, coaching support, and peer engagement, participants will make progress toward an individualized learning goal while developing core evaluation competencies relevant to Extension contexts. By the end of the course, participants will gain practical skills, expand their professional networks, and feel more confident and energized in their roles as evaluation leaders who use data to inform decisions, improve programs, and engage audiences effectively.

The EXPAND cohort is built around session, individual, and group learning tracks that work together to support shared understanding, personalized growth, and collaborative application, creating a holistic learning experience that meets participants where they are and supports development at multiple levels.

Interested participants must be nominated by their supervisors and approved by Extension leadership to initiate the participation process.

Receive a nomination from your direct supervisor in partnership with your Extension Dean/Director. The Dean/Director or approved designated nominator (as assigned by the Dean) must submit an EXPAND: Participant Nomination Form to initiate your nomination process by January 30. Each North Central Region institution can nominate up to three participants. 

North Central Region institutions will have preferential access to participant slots through January 30. After January 30, promotion and registration will open nationwide if space remains. The final deadline for all registrations is February 20, 2026.

Mid-career field, regional, and state-based Extension professionals with a minimum of three years in their role. Participants must have a desire to build their skills to be more effective program evaluators while simultaneously holding a willingness to share their existing knowledge and expertise with their colleagues.

This course is aimed at participants who already have a foundation in data analysis and/or evaluation. Participants must have basic knowledge and key concepts of data analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative)

Participants will be expected to apply their learning and acquired skills/techniques in real time and reflect on their successes and continued opportunities for growth with their peers. 

This is not a data analysis class or stats course. The class will equip you to make decisions on which methods to use, and you will have access to an analysis coach if analysis is your key learning goal. Our goal is to support you in becoming a self-driven learner and practitioner in the field of evaluation. You will be responsible for engaging with tools and techniques outside of the scheduled meeting times, together with cohort colleagues and individually.

Land grant universities are expected to cover the cost for the number of slots they commit to during the nomination process through March 1. After March 1, if a participant is no longer able to participate in the program in its entirety, the Extension program may send a secondary/alternate participant in their place. Cancellations must be made by March 1, 2026; all costs incurred beyond that date will be the responsibility of the Extension program.