Holly A. Downs Center for Creative Leadership

One Leadership Place

Greensboro, NC 27410

(336) 286-4476 (phone) • (217) 372-5011 (mobile) • (336) 286-4476 (fax)

E-mail: downsh@ccl.org or hadowns@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Educational Psychology – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – August 2011

Dissertation Title: Discerning Quality Evaluation in Online Graduate Degree Programs in

Agricultural Sciences and Engineering

M.Ed., Education – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – May 2002

B.S., Education - Eastern Illinois University - Charleston, Illinois - May 1996

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Senior Research and Evaluation Faculty, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, North

Carolina, Sept. 2014 – Present.

Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Educational Research

Methodology Department in the School of Education, Greensboro, North Carolina,

March 2015 – Present.

Instructor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology

Department in the School of Education, Greensboro, North Carolina,

Sept. 2014 – Dec. 2014.

Associate Director, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Office of Assessment,

Evaluation, and Research Services, Greensboro, North Carolina, January 2013 – Sept. 2014.

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Educational Research

Methodology Department in the School of Education, Greensboro, North Carolina, August

2011 – Sept. 2014 (Third Year Review Successfully Completed for Reappointment).

Visiting Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Educational Research

Methodology Department in the School of Education, Greensboro, North Carolina, August

2010 – August 2011.

Adjunct Lecturer, University of Illinois/Educational Psychology Department, Urbana-

Champaign, Illinois, August 2009 – December 2009.

Teaching Assistant (Online), University of Illinois/Educational Psychology Department,

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, August 2005 – December 2005.

Research Associate. University of Illinois/Illinois Science, Technology, Engineering, &

Mathematics Education Initiative (I-STEM), Champaign, Illinois, Aug. 2008 – Aug. 2010.

Research Associate and Webmaster/ Project Coordinator/ Research Assistant, University of

Illinois/Bureau of Educational Research and Educational Psychology Department,

Champaign, Illinois, January 2003 – August 2008.

Holly A. Downs

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OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Educational Outreach Coordinator/Ready To Learn Trainer/ZOOM Local-National

Project Coordinator. WILL AM-FM-TV, Urbana, Illinois. September 1999 – June 2007.

Marketing Coordinator. Smyth Companies, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 1998 – August

1999.

Classroom Teacher, Mills Elementary School, Benicia, California, September 1996 – June

1998.

Consultant and Presenter. Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, California, May 1997 – June 1998.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation (CORE) Outstanding Outcome Research

Paper Award (2016), Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation Journal, 2016.

Mentoring/Advising/Supervising (MAS) Award, School of Education at the University of

North Carolina at Greensboro, 2014.

GEM Award Nominee for the Evaluation for the Title VI National Resource Centers at the

University of Illinois. Aggregated Report for the Seven International Centers in the

Illinois International Initiative, including the 1) Center for African Studies, 2) Center for

Global Studies, 3) Center for International Business Education and Research, 4)

European Union Center, 5) East Asian and Pacific Studies, 6) Center for South Asian and

Middle Eastern Studies, and 7) Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center.

Midwest Representative for the National 2003 Station Advisory Council for PBS, WILL

AM-FM-TV, 2003.

Campus Award for Excellence in Public Engagement Finalist, University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign, 2003.

National Sallie Mae New Teacher of the Year Award Nominee, Benicia Unified School

District in Benicia, California, 1997.

FUNDED GRANTS AND SUBCONTRACTS

Proposal for the Core-Math III: Supporting the Implementation of the Mathematics Common

Core State Standards Using Learning Trajectories, $149,928 from NC QUEST - NC's

ESEA Title II-A Improving Teacher Quality Grants – Continuation Grant, 2014 - 2015.

Proposal for the Core-Math III: Supporting the Implementation of the Mathematics Common

Core State Standards Using Learning Trajectories, $149,928 from NC QUEST - NC's

ESEA Title II-A Improving Teacher Quality Grants – Continuation Grant, 2014 - 2015.

Proposal for the Evaluation of the US Lacrosse National Coach Hybrid Training Program

(Women’s Division), $28,260 from US Lacrosse, 2014.

Proposal for the Core-Math II: Supporting the Implementation of the Mathematics Common

Core State Standards Using Learning Trajectories, $269,260 from NC QUEST - NC's

ESEA Title II-A Improving Teacher Quality Grants – Cycle IX, 2013 - 2014.

Proposal for the College Supporting Transition, Access and Retention (STAR) project,

submitted with East Carolina University, $3,300,000 from the Oak and an additional

Holly A. Downs

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$1,000,000 local support has been provided by the Weaver Foundation, Cemela

Foundation, and the Michel Family Foundation, 2011 - 2014.

Proposal for the External Evaluation of the City Year Chicago, submitted to City Year, City

Year Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust, $46,833, Dec. 2010 – August 2011.

Proposal for the Evaluation of the Implementation of the Illinois Learning Standards,

submitted to the ISBE, 2005, Illinois State Board of Education, $780,000, 2005-2008.

Ready To Learn Public Broadcasting Station, U.S. Department of Education and the

Corporation of Public Broadcasting, $25,000 per year, 2000—2001; 2001-2002; and

2002-2003.

Zoom Local National Station, WBGH Boston, Massachusetts, $5,000 per year, 2001-2002 and

2002-2003.

Ready To Learn Corporate Sponsorship with Kraft, Foods, $15,000 per year, 2000-2001; 2001-

2002; and 2002-2003.

Ready To Learn Corporate Sponsorship with US Cellular, $15,000, 2002-2003.

RESEARCH AND EVALUATION EXPERIENCE

Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, North Carolina (September 2014 – present)

Principal Investigator, Researching and Evaluating Virtual Instructor-Led Training

(VILT) of Leadership Project, Nov. 2014 – present.

Evaluator, various projects for corporate clients, September 2014 – present.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Educational Research Methodology

Department in the School of Education, Greensboro, North Carolina (August 2010 –

September 2014)

Principal Investigator, The Evaluation of the Hybrid Training Program for Coaches for

US Lacrosse, Jan. 2014 – Aug. 2014. (See media spotlights at

http://ure.uncg.edu/prod/cweekly/2014/02/18/drhollydowns/ ; http://erm.uncg.edu/oaers-

receives-contract-evaluating-us-lacrosse-coaching-education-program/).

Evaluator, The Evaluation of the Math Emporium Program for the Department of

Mathematics and Statistics at UNCG, Jan. 2014 – June 2014. (See media spotlight at

http://educatemag.blogspot.com/2014/04/school-of-education-research-

supports.html#more ).

Principal Investigator, The Evaluation of the University of Don Bosco Blended

Certificate Training Program for Technicians of Prosthetics and Orthotics at Asociación

Dominicana de Rehabilitación in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for Physicians for

Peace, Jan. 2013 – Jan. 2014. (See media spotlights at http://uncgnow.uncg.edu/uncg-

physicians-for-peace-program-evaluation/#sthash.wQyT3L0c.dpbs ;

http://soe.uncg.edu/faculty-spotlight-holly-downs/ and

http://ure.uncg.edu/prod/cweekly/2013/11/19/hollydowns/ ).

Co-Principal Investigator and Evaluator, College Supporting Transition, Access and

Retention (STAR) project with funding from the Oak Foundation, August 2011 – 2014.

Evaluator, The Evaluation of the Advanced Training for Outstanding Mathematics &

Science Scholars (AToMS) program for the Departments of Chemistry, Computer

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Science, Mathematics, and Physics at UNCG (See media spotlights at

http://educatemag.blogspot.com/2014/04/school-of-education-research-

supports.html#more ; http://www.aacu.org/meetings/stem/13/documents/P50.pdf ).

Evaluator, Evaluation of the Core-Math Project (See media spotlight at

http://educatemag.blogspot.com/2014/04/school-of-education-research-

supports.html#more ).

Phase I (Implementation of the Mathematics Common Core State Standards Using

Learning Trajectories) Phase I, January 2012 – August 2012.

Phase II, funding from NC QUEST - NC's ESEA Title II-A Improving Teacher

Quality Grants, Phase II, April 2013-August 2014.

Phase III, funding from NC QUEST - NC's ESEA Title II-A Improving Teacher

Quality Continuation Grant, Phase III, August 2014-August 2015.

External Evaluator, Cumulative Effect Project (extended funding), August 2011 –

August 2013.

Principal Investigator, Evaluation of the 2010 City Year Project, December 2010 –

August 2011.

University of Illinois/Illinois Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Education

Initiative (I-STEM), Champaign, Illinois (August 2008 – August 2010)

Research Associate/Project Coordinator, Evaluation of the Merit Immersion for

Students and Teachers (MIST) Program, August 2008 – August 2010.

External Evaluator, Qualitative Study of the 2010 City Year and Junior Great Books

Collaborative Project, March 2010.

University of Illinois/Bureau of Educational Research and Educational Psychology

Department, Champaign, Illinois (January 2003 – August 2008)

External Evaluator, Evaluation of the 2008 African Institute for Educators at the

University of Illinois, July 2008.

Research Associate and Webmaster, Evaluation of the Implementation of the Illinois

Learning Standards, August 2005 – July 2008.

Project Coordinator, Evaluation for the Title VI National Resource Centers at the

University of Illinois December 2006 - December 2007.

Project Coordinator, Evaluation of the Carus Publishing Periodical Project (CP3) for the

Chicago Community Trust and Carus Publishing, July 2006 – July 2007.

Research Assistant and Webmaster, Illinois Reading First External Evaluation, August

2003 – July 2005.

Research Assistant, An Evaluation of the EPICS, K-12 Program at UIUC, January 2003 –

December 2003.

Research Assistant, Illinois Reading Excellence Act External Evaluation, January 2003 -

August 2003 .

Holly A. Downs

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PUBLICATIONS

Downs, H. (in preparation). Digital Leadership Learning – Study with the San Diego Police

Department.

Downs, H. (in press). Case Study. In C. A. Wachter Morris & K Wester (Eds.) Making Research

Relevant: Applied Research Designs for the Mental Health Practitioner. New York:

Routledge.

Hannum, K. & Downs, H. (in press). Evaluation in the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Research. In Booysen, L. (Ed.) Handbook of Research Methods on Diversity

Management, Equality and Inclusion at Work.

Young, S., Downs, H., McCauley, C., Downing, K, & Press, J. (in press). Using Technology to

Enhance Leader Assessment and Development. Center for Creative Leadership White

Paper.

Downs, H. & Young, S. (in press). Digital Assessment Pilot Studies. SberKnowledge Digital

University Digest.

Young, S. & Downs. (in press). Imagining the Future of Leader Assessment. SberKnowledge

Digital University Digest.

Young, S. & Downs, H. (2017) Building a Faster Assessment Tool: How You Can Help.

https://www.ccl.org/blog/faster-assessment-tool/

Patterson, T., Stawiski, S., Hannum, K., Champion, H., & Downs, H. (2017). Evaluating the

Impact of Leadership Development in Organizations.

Downs, H. & Mehta, S. (2016). Do’s and Don’ts of MOOCs and SPOCs. Best practices for

developing Massive Open Online Courses and Small Private Online Courses. Training

Magazine. p. 22. http://pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=336393&p=22

Mehta, S. & Downs, H. (2016). Six strategies for digital learning success. Center for Creative

Leadership White Paper.

Media Coverage on the Six Strategies for Digital Learning Success:

Association for Talent Development (ATD) Six strategies for digital learning

success. https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/Learning-Technologies-

Blog/2016/07/6-Strategies-for-Successful-Digital-Leadership-Development

International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) Six strategies for digital

learning success. http://www.iedp.com/articles/6-strategies-for-digital-learning-

success/

Wester, K, Downs, H., & Trepal, H. (2016). Counseling Outcomes of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

for Eight Clients in Outpatient Treatment: A Retrospective Case Study. Counseling

Outcome Research and Evaluation. DOI: 10.1177/2150137816632849 [Received the Counseling

Outcome Research and Evaluation (CORE) Outstanding Outcome Research Paper Award (2016)]

Hutson, B. & Downs, H. (2015). The College STAR Faculty Learning Community: Promoting

Learning for All Students through Faculty Collaboration. Journal of Faculty

Development, 29(1), 25-32.

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Wilson, P & Downs, H. (2014). Supporting mathematics teachers in the implementation of the

common core. AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice, 11(1), 38-44.

Downs, H. (2013). Quality Indicators for Evaluating Online Graduate Degree Programs in

Agricultural Sciences and Engineering. Journal of Case Studies in Education, 5(1), 1-18.

Chow, A., Hewitt, K. K., & Downs, H. (2013). Systems thinking and technology integration as

catalysts for school change in high needs schools: IMPACT V and the alignment of

organizational ends and means. Educational Research for Social Change, 2(1), 7-29.

PUBLICATIONS - EVALUATION REPORTS (SELECT LIST)

Downs, H., (2014). Evaluation of the Math Emporium Project. Department of Mathematics and

Statistics at UNCG, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Downs, H., Hargrove, S., Ciccarell, K., & Meyer, C. (2014). Evaluation of the Core Math II

Project – Final Report. Core Math and NC Quest, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Downs, H., Varner, L, Sunnassee, E., Martin, K., & Weir, J. (2014). Evaluation of the College

STAR Project: Year 3. Oak Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland.

Downs, H., Carter, A, Varner, L., Sha, S. (2013). Evaluation of the University of Don Bosco

Hybrid Certificate Prosthetic and Orthotic Training Program in Santo Domingo,

Dominican Republic. Physicians for Peace.

Downs, H., Hargrove, S., Ciccarell, K., & Meyer, C. (2013). Evaluation of the Core Math II

Project – Mid-Year Report. Core Math and NC Quest, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Downs, H., Varner, L, & Sunnassee, E. (2013). Evaluation of the College STAR Project: Year 2.

Oak Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland.

Downs, H., Carter, A, Varner, L., & Meyer, C. (2013). Evaluation of the AToMS Project.

AToMS, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Uprichard, A., Howell, T., Ackerman, T., Downs, H., Meyer, C. (2013). The Cumulative Effect

Project – Sixth Year Report. UNC System/Guilford County Schools Mathematics Project.

Greensboro, North Carolina.

Downs, H., Carter, A, & Meyer, C. (2012). Evaluation of the Core Math Project. Core Math and

NC Quest, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Downs, H., Varner, L, Sunnassee, E. & Fluegge, L. (2012). Evaluation of the College STAR

Project: Year 1. Oak Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland.

Uprichard, A., Howell, T., Ackerman, T., Downs, H.(2012). The Cumulative Effect Project –

Fifth Year Report. UNC System/Guilford County Schools Mathematics Project.

Greensboro, North Carolina.

Downs, H., Chiu, K., & Fluegge, L. (2011). Evaluation of the City Year Chicago Pilot Program:

Final Report. City Year Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Uprichard, A., Howell, T., Ackerman, T., Downs, H., Seo, M. (2011). The Cumulative Effect

Project – Fourth Year Report. UNC System/Guilford County Schools Mathematics

Project. Greensboro, North Carolina.

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DeStefano, L., Downs, H., O’Dell, L., & Innes, E. (2010). Evaluation of the Merit Immersion for

Students and Teachers (MIST) Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

(2009-2010). Merit program through the Department of Chemistry, Department of

Biology, and Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois on their Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) STEP grant with the National

Science Foundation (NSF).

Downs, H. & DeStefano, L. (2010). Evaluation of the City Year and Junior Great Books Pilot

Project in Chicago Public Schools. City Year Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., O’Dell, L., & Innes, E. (2009). Evaluation of the Merit Immersion for

Students and Teachers (MIST) Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

(2008-2009). Merit program through the Department of Chemistry, Department of

Biology, and Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois on their Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) STEP grant with the National

Science Foundation (NSF).

DeStefano, L. & Downs, H. (2009). Department of English: Online Faculty Survey Quantitative

Results. Department of English at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Lisy, J, DeStefano, L., Downs, H., Adams, G., McNeilly, J. & Hickox, T. (2009). Three-Year

Review of the Merit Immersion for Students and Teachers (MIST) Program. National

Science Foundation STEP Grant Review, in Washington, D.C., USA.

DeStefano, L. Downs, H., Innes, E. (2008). Analysis of Youth Media Workshop Interview Data.

WILL-AM, FM, TV.

DeStefano, L. & Downs, H. (2008). Evaluation of the 2008 Merit Immersion for Students and

Teachers (MIST) Summer Teacher Workshop at the University of Illinois, Urbana-

Champaign. Merit program through the Department of Chemistry, Department of

Biology, and Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois on their Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiative with the National Science

Foundation (NSF).

DeStefano, L. & Downs, H. (2008). The Evaluation of the 2008 African Institute for Educators at

the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Center for African Studies.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Fiedler, E., Downs, H., & O’Dell, L. (2008). Illinois Learning

Standards external evaluation: 2008 Report to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois State Board of Education.

DeStefano, L. & Downs, H. (2008). University Laboratory High School: Online Planning Survey

Results. University Laboratory High School.

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., & Marincic, M. (2008). The Evaluation for the Title VI Area Centers

at the University of Illinois Campus: Survey and Interview of Faculty and Foreign

Language and Area Studies Fellows. Center for African Studies; Center for Global

Studies; Center for International Business Education and Research; European Union

Center; Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies; Center for South Asian and Middle

Eastern Studies; and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center.

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., Maciente, I., & Sun, H. (2007). The Evaluation for the Title VI Area

Centers at the University of Illinois Campus: Outreach Activities of Global Fest 2007,

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International Careers Professional Workshop, and the International Summer Institute.

Center for African Studies (CAS); Center for Global Studies (CGS); Center for

International Business Education and Research (CIBER); European Union Center (EUC);

Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies (EAPS); Center for South Asian and Middle

Eastern Studies (CSAMES); and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center (REEEC).

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., Maciente, I., & Sun, H. (2007). The Evaluation of the 2007

Curriculum Development Workshop on Russia. Russian, East European, and Eurasian

Center.

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., Maciente, I., & Sun, H. (2007). The Evaluation of the 2007 Summer

Curriculum Development Workshop on the European Union. European Union Center.

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., Maciente, I., & Sun, H. (2007). The Evaluation of the Taste of Africa:

Summer 2007 Community Cooking Class. Center for African Studies.

DeStefano, L. & Downs, H. (2007). The Evaluation of the 2007 International Business

Immersion Program (IBIP) Study Abroad Trip in Europe. Center for International

Business Education and Research and International Business Immersion Program (IBIP).

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., & Rempert, T. (2007). The evaluation of the Carus Publishing

Periodical Project: Final Report. The Chicago Community Trust, Carus Publishing

Company, Chicago Public School District, and Chase Bank.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Fiedler, E., Downs, H., & O’Dell, L. (2007). Illinois Learning

Standards external evaluation: 2007 Report to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois State Board of Education.

DeStefano, L., Downs, H., & Rempert, T. (2007). The evaluation of the Carus Publishing

Periodical Project: Preliminary Report. The Chicago Community Trust, Carus

Publishing Company, Chicago Public School District, and Chase Bank.

Downs, H. (2006). A case study on High Tech Edge: Taking technology beyond the classroom

confines. High Tech Edge and Educational Dividends.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Fiedler, E., & Downs, H. (2006). The impact of the Standards-

Aligned Classroom initiative on the implementation of the Illinois Learning Standards

during 2005-2006 report to the Illinois State Board of Education. IL State Board of Ed.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Fiedler, E., & Downs, H. (2006). Illinois Learning Standards

external evaluation: Preliminary findings in Year 1 report to the Illinois State Board of

Education. Illinois State Board of Ed.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Fiedler, E., Love, D., & others. (2005). Reading First external

evaluation: Year 2 report to the Illinois State Board of Education. IL State Board of Ed.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Fiedler, E., Love, D., & others. (2004). Reading First external

evaluation: Year 1 report to the Illinois State Board of Education. IL State Board of Ed

Downs, H. (2004). Evaluation of enhancing education through technology (Ed Tech) grant. East

Aurora School District for the Illinois State Board of Education.

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DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Ryan, K., Davis, J. B., Downs, H., Kallemeyn, L., Lee, H.,

Marszalek, J., Parker, P., & Zhu, R. C. (2003). Reading Excellence Act (REA) external

evaluation: Final report to the Illinois State Board of Education. IL State Board of Ed.

PRESENTATIONS – CONFERENCES PEER-REVIEWED (SELECT LIST)

Downs, H. & Patterson, T. (October 2017). Accepting the Challenge of Evaluation as a

Leadership Development Best Practice. Paper presented at the International Leadership

Association Global Conference, Brussels, Belgium.

Sabastian Salicru, Downs, H., Patterson, T., & Roberts, R. (October 2017). Best Practices for

Conducting Impact Evaluations of Leadership Development Programs. Panel presented at

the International Leadership Association Global Conference, Brussels, Belgium.

Downs, H. & Raper, M. (October 2016). Focusing Digital Dashboards for Use: Considering

Design, Planning and Context. Paper presentation at American Evaluation Association,

Evaluation 2016 in Atlanta, GA, USA.

Downs, H., Varner, L., & Sunnassee, E. (November 2015). Exploring Digital Recording

Technologies for Focus Groups: Digital Recorders versus Digital Pens. Paper

presentation at American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2015: Exemplary

Evaluation in a Multicultural World in Chicago, IL, USA.

Downs, H., Crumbacher, C., & Patterson, T. (November 2015). Embedding Video into Online

Surveys for a K-12 School—Results and Considerations. Paper presentation at American

Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2015: Exemplary Evaluation in a Multicultural World

in Chicago, IL, USA.

Downs, H. & Patterson, T. (June 2015). Evaluating Leadership Development: How Can you Tell

if it’s Working? Live Webinar at Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC,

USA.

Downs, H. & Chiu, K. (October 2014). Evaluation Capacity Building: The Perfect Mix of Art and

Science. Paper presentation at American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2014:

Visionary Evaluation for a Sustainable, Equitable Future in Denver, CO, USA.

Hannum, K., Downs, H., Gullickson, A., & Rorrer, A. (October 2014). Mishaps, Mistakes, and

Mayhem as part of Professional Evaluator Experience: Stories from the Field to Laugh at

and Learn from. Panel presentation at American Evaluation Association, Evaluation

2014: Visionary Evaluation for a Sustainable, Equitable Future in Denver, CO, USA.

Hewitt, K., & Downs, H. (April 2014). Schools Using Data. Paper presentation the American

Educational Research Association; 2014 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

USA.

Downs, H., Carter, A., Rollins, J., Sunnassee, E., & Varner, L. (February 2014). Introducing

Powerful Tools for Qualitative Research. Invited pre-conference workshop for North

Carolina Association for Research in Education; 2014 NCARE Conference, Greensboro,

NC. (See media spotlights at

http://coedpages.uncc.edu/ncare/ncare2014_preconference.pdf ; http://erm.uncg.edu/erm-

students-faculty-shine-2014-ncare-conference/ ; http://soe.uncg.edu/news-02-24-2014/ ).

Holly A. Downs

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Seaman, C., Downs, H., & Sametz, L. (November 2013) STEM Program Evaluation:

Perspectives and Lessons Learned. Poster presentation at the AAC&U and Project

Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Transforming STEM education: Inquiry, Innovation, Inclusion,

and Evidence Conference. San Diego, CA.

Cho, A., Hewitt, K., & Downs, H. (October 2013). Systems Thinking and Technology Integration

as Catalysts for School Change in High Need Schools. Association for Educational

Communications and Technology (AECT) International Convention; Anaheim, CA.

Downs, H. (October 2013). What Every Graduate Student and Novice Evaluator Should Know:

Learning How to Use Computer Programs for Analysis and Understanding Institutional

Review Board Approval Process. Panel paper presentation the American Evaluation

Association, Evaluation 2013: Evaluation Practice in the Early 21st Century in

Washington, DC, USA.

Sunnassee, E. & Downs, H. (October 2013). Exploring AQUAD 7: A Free and Open-Access

Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) Tool in Qualitative Data

Analysis. Poster presentation the American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2013:

Evaluation Practice in the Early 21st Century in Washington, DC, USA.

Sunnassee, E., Rollins, J., Downs, H., & Varner, L. (October 2013). Implementing R in Program

Evaluation: How to Become an Official "useR". Roundtable presentation the American

Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2013: Evaluation Practice in the Early 21st Century in

Washington, DC, USA.

Carter, A., Varner, L., Rollins, J., & Downs, H. (October 2013). Roundtable Rotation II:

Discussion on Integrating the Advanced Analysis and Data Visualization Features of R

for Qualitative Data. Roundtable presentation the American Evaluation Association,

Evaluation 2013: Evaluation Practice in the Early 21st Century in Washington, DC, USA.

Carter, A., Meyer, C., & Downs, H. (October 2013). An Evaluator's Perspective: A Critique of

the Design and Implementation Processes of Pilot Programs. Poster presentation the

American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2013: Evaluation Practice in the Early 21st

Century in Washington, DC, USA.

Meyer, C. Carter, A., Sunnassee, E., & Downs, H. (October 2013). An Evaluator's Perspective: A

Critique of the Design and Implementation Processes of Pilot Programs. Poster

presentation the American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2013: Evaluation Practice

in the Early 21st Century in Washington, DC, USA.

Askew, K, & Downs, H. (October 2013). Diversity in the 21st Century: Infusing Culturally

Responsive Techniques into Evaluation. Poster presentation the American Evaluation

Association, Evaluation 2013: Evaluation Practice in the Early 21st Century in

Washington, DC, USA.

Seaman, C., Downs, H., & Rutledge, I. (October 2013) A Living Learning Community for STEM

Majors: What We Learned from the First Year. Poster presentation at the North Carolina

Association for Biomedical Research: Bridging the Gap 2013 Conference. Raleigh, NC.

Hutson, B. & Downs, H. (April 2013). The College STAR Faculty Learning Community:

Promoting Learning for all Students Through Faculty Collaboration. Paper presentation

Holly A. Downs

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the American Educational Research Association; 2013 Annual Meeting in San Francisco,

California, USA

Varner, L. & Downs, H. (April 2013). Investigating the Utility of Synchronous Focus Groups

Held in Virtual and Real Worlds. Poster presentation the American Educational Research

Association; 2013 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California, USA.

Downs, H. (October 2012). Dueling Funder Preferences and Program Evaluation Needs. Paper

presentation the American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2011: Values and Valuing

in Evaluation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Downs, H. (October 2012). What It’s Like to Teach 20 Evaluators on 1 Project: The Instructor’s

Perspective. Paper presentation in Collaboration on a Course-Based Evaluation: The

Student, Instructor, and Client Perspectives session at the American Evaluation

Association, Evaluation 2011: Values and Valuing in Evaluation in Minneapolis,

Minnesota, USA.

Varner, L., Carter, A., Furter, R. & Downs, H. (October 2012). R Qualitative Data Analysis

(RQDA) Package: A Free Qualitative Analysis Tool. Skill-Building Workshop

presentation the American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2011: Values and Valuing

in Evaluation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Sunnassee, E., Varner, L., & Downs, H. (October 2012). An Overview and Comparison of Free

Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS). Poster presentation

the American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2011: Values and Valuing in Evaluation

in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Chiu, K. & Downs, H. (October 2012). Using Concept Mapping in the Planning and Evaluation

of a Community-Based Initiative. Poster presentation the American Evaluation

Association, Evaluation 2011: Values and Valuing in Evaluation in Minneapolis,

Minnesota, USA.

Downs, H. (April 2012). Developing Quality Indicators for Evaluating Online Graduate Degree

Programs in Agricultural Sciences and Engineering. Paper presentation the American

Educational Research Association; 2012 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British

Columbia, Canada.

Downs, H., Chiu, K, Glasscott, A., Siuta, C., & Fluegge, L. (April 2012). Evaluating Community

Partnerships: Investigating Team Building in a Community Program and School

Partnership in Chicago. Roundtable presentation the American Educational Research

Association; 2012 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Chiu, K , Downs, H., Glasscott, A., Siuta, C., & Fluegge, L. (April 2012). Utilization-Focused

Evaluation of a Community Program and School Partnership in Chicago: Staff and

Evaluator Perspectives. Roundtable presentation the American Educational Research

Association; 2012 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Downs, H. (November 2011). Dueling Funder Preferences and Program Evaluation Needs.

Paper presentation the American Evaluation Association, Evaluation 2011: Values and

Valuing in Evaluation in Anaheim, California, USA.

Boyce, A., Jimenez, M., Downs, H., & DeStefano, L. (April 2011). Usefulness in International

Professional Development: Exploring Differences in Curriculum Development, Cultural

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Immersion, and Study Abroad Experiences. Accepted roundtable presentation for the

American Educational Research Association for 2011 Annual Meeting in New Orleans,

Louisiana, USA.

Downs, H. (November 2010). Exploring Dueling Federal Funder Preferences and Program

Evaluation Needs: Challenges with Conflicting Interests and Evaluator Roles. Paper

presentation the American Evaluation Association Evaluation 2010: Evaluation Quality in

San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Boyce, A., Jimenez, M., Ahn, J., & Downs, H. (November 2010). Truth, Beauty, And Justice For

All: A Conversation With Graduate Students Examining Issues of Power, Control, and

Evaluation Quality Within the Realm of Graduate Assistantships. Roundtable presentation

for the American Evaluation Association Evaluation 2010: Evaluation Quality in San

Antonio, Texas, USA.

Adams, G., McNeilly, J., Hickox, T., Downs, H. (March 2010). Helping Teachers Adopt Merit's

Collaborative Learning Techniques Through the MIST Summer Teacher Workshop.

Accepted presentation for the National Science Teachers Association for the 2010

National Meeting, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Adams, G., McNeilly, J., Hickox, T., Downs, H. (February 2010). The Merit Immersion for

Students and Teachers (MIST) Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Poster presentation for the National Science Foundation National STEP Meeting, in

Washington, D.C., USA.

Lisy, J., Adams, G., McNeilly, J., Hickox, T., Downs, H. (January 2010). Merit Program at the

University of Illinois. Invited inaugural presentation for the Campus Undergraduate

Education Collaborative, in Champaign, Illinois.

Hickox, T., Adams, G., McNeilly, J., Downs, H. (November 2009). Lessons learned from the

2008 MIST summer teacher workshop at the University of Illinois. Accepted presentation

for the National Association of Biology Teachers for Fall 2009 National Meeting, in

Denver, Colorado, USA.

Adams, G., McNeilly, J., Hickox, T., Downs, H. (September 2009). The Merit Immersion for

Students and Teachers (MIST) Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Accepted poster presentation for the National Science Foundation Fall 2009 Midwest

Meeting, in Chicago, IL, USA.

Downs, H. (April 2009). What’s the Difference? Teacher Implementation of Reading First

Literacy Elements and Student Achievement in General Education, Special Education,

and Limited English Proficient Classrooms. Accepted poster presentation for the

American Educational Research Association for 2009 Annual Meeting on Disciplined

Inquiry: Education Research in the Circle of Knowledge, in San Diego, California, USA.

Adams, G., Downs, H., McNeilly, J. (March 2009). Beyond giving teachers a free lunch: Lessons

learned from the 2008 MIST summer teacher workshop at the University of Illinois.

Accepted presentation for the American Chemical Society for Spring 2009 National

Meeting, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

DeStefano, L., Hammer, V., Downs, H., & Lee, W. (October 2005). Reading First: Lessons

Learned from Four Large-Scale Literacy Evaluations. Accepted presentation for the

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American Evaluation Association and the Canadian Evaluation Society for Evaluation

2005: Crossing Borders, Crossing Boundaries, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PRESENTATIONS – INVITED UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS

Downs, H. (October 2011). Evaluation. Invited UNCG Guest Presenter for Professor Kimberly

Kappler-Hewitt– Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations Department.

McNeilly, J., Adams, G., Hickox, T., & Downs, H. (April 2010). Merit Program and Evaluation.

Invited presentation for the Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology at the

University of Illinois.

Adams, G., McNeilly, J., Hickox, T., & Downs, H. (April 2010). How to Train Teaching

Assistants so That Everyone Wins: The TAs, Students, and You! Invited presentation for

the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of Illinois.

Downs, H. (April 2010). Triangulation, Validity, and Multiple Realities. Invited University of

Illinois Guest Presenter for Professor Robert Stake – Educational Psychology 490E –

Case Study.

Downs, H. (October 2009). Evaluation for utilization and accountability. Invited University of

Illinois Guest Presenter for Professor Jennifer C. Greene – Educational Psychology 470 –

Introduction to Evaluation Theory.

Downs, H. (November 2008). Taking the First Step: Considering the Evaluation Needs of the

Merit Program with the Departments of Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics at UIUC

for their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Program through

the National Science Foundation. Educational Psychology Brownbag Presenter for the

Queries Division.

Downs, H. (September 2008; February 2008; and February 2007). Case Study Research:

Fieldwork, Data Gathering, and Observations. Invited University of Illinois Guest

Presenter for Professor Robert Stake – Educational Psychology 490E – Case Study.

PRESENTATIONS – INVITED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE (SELECT NATIONAL AND

STATEWIDE)

Downs, H. (November 2014). Qualitative Digital Tools for Qualitative Data Collection.

Presentation at Research Triangle Park Evaluator Association, Monthly Meeting,

Durham, NC, USA.

Hammer, V. & Downs, H. (February 2007). Illinois Learning Standards Initiative Kick Off

Meeting – Findings from the ILS Evaluation. Training for the Illinois State Board of

Education. Springfield, IL.

Downs, H. (March 2003). Between the Lions and Emergent Literacy. Illinois Reading Statewide

Conference. Springfield, IL.

Downs, H. (May 2002). Media Literacy and RTL. Department of Human Services and IL Migrant

Head Start Statewide Training, Springfield, IL.

Barnhart, J., Haggerty, M. & Downs, H. (Mar. 2002). Designated Reading Campaign with

Between the Lions (350 Attendees). Illinois Reading Conference, Springfield, IL.

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Downs, H. & Haggerty, M. (March 2002). Using Between The Lions To Help Teach Your

Children to Read (2 sessions; 150 Educators). Illinois Reading Conference, Springfield.

Downs, H. (February 2002). Welcome to Ready To Learn! National PBS Newcomers Session.

Baltimore, Maryland.

Downs, H. (October 2001). Media Literacy. Illinois School Library Media Association State

Conference, Decatur, IL.

Downs, H. & McGrath, J. (February 2001). RTL & Even Start-A Perfect Partnership. 2001

National PBS Education Conference in Washington, DC.

Downs, H. (Feb. 1999). Direct Marketing—How It Works. Smyth National Sales Meeting,

Bloomington, Minnesota.

Dwyer, J. & Downs, H. (February 1999). Improving our Marketing Strategies. Smyth Companies

National Marketing Meeting, Boulder, Colorado.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS American Educational Research Association 2003 – present

American Evaluation Association 2004 – present

SERVICE UNCG School of Education Access and Equity Faculty Committee, Fall 2011 – Spring 2012;

Secretary in Fall 2012 – Spring 2013.

UNCG Faculty Workload Committee, Selected participant, Fall 2012 - Spring 2013.

UNCG Research Excellence Award Review Committee, Selected participant, Spring 2012.

National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT) and The National Science Foundation (NSF)

2012 Computing Education for the 21st Century Community Meeting, Selected

participant, Spring 2012.

Writing Committee, Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE), Fall

2009 – Spring 2010.

Core Committee - Invited Evaluation Representative, Youth Media Workshop, WILL-TV

and the African American Cultural Center, Spring 2009.

Assessment Item Reviewer, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 4th and 8th

Grade Mathematics; Spring 2009.

Executive Committee - Elected Graduate Student Representative, Department of

Educational Psychology, University of Illinois, Fall 2008 – Spring 2009.

Core Committee - Invited Evaluation Representative, Youth Media Workshop, WILL-TV

and the African American Cultural Center, Spring 2009.

National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) –

Web/Moodle Developer, Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative (SMTI)

Web/Moodle Developer, February 2007.