Latest Project: Creating a Culture of Student Success and Promoting STEM Career Pathways in Alaska

Shaffer Evaluation Group was awarded a contract by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks to evaluate the 5-year Title III program coordinated by the university's Bristol Bay campus. UAF-Bristol Bay is a nonresidential four-year public institution in Dillingham, Alaska and is an extended rural campus of the main University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. From its main campus in Dillingham and satellite education centers in King Salmon, Togiak, and New Stuyahok, UAF Bristol Bay campus faculty and staff continually deliver educational services to some of the most remote and underserved populations in Alaska under

the stresses of isolation, limited resources, and changing technology. The UAF-Bristol Bay campus Title III grant, Title III project, Creating a Culture of Student Success and Promoting STEM Career Pathways, is intended to help the institution strengthen its services, enhance learning environments, and address key challenges.

Supporting Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Needs Assessment

Shaffer Evaluation Group was contracted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to prepare an educational needs assessment survey instrument. This tool will be used to assess the needs of regional teachers, schools, and school districts for professional development in marine science content.

Indian Education Reform

Dr. Shaffer completed a six-month detail assignment at the Office of Management & Budget, part of the Executive Office of the President, through the President's Management Council Interagency Rotation Program. During this assignment, she served as a program examiner for the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education during a critical time when a new plan for educational reform was being crafted. Dr. Shaffer worked with an inter-agency Indian Education Study Group supporting the reform of the Bureau of Indian Education, including working with study group members on establishing a performance measurement strategy and analyzing agency data to support budgetary decision-making. She also provided support for the President’s Native Youth initiative, providing direct support to OMB senior leadership and the Domestic Policy Council in researching alternatives for an inter-agency place-based initiative that will coordinate educational, mental health and infrastructure services.