Our People
Yusaitis Promoted
Hired September 2006 as a research assistant in Evaluation, Jessica Yusaitis was promoted to project coordinator. Her new responsibilities involve writing quarterly reports, delegating responsibilities and managing the databases for PBS Channel Thirteen/WNET Project VITAL and ProLiteracy Worldwide. Yusaitis graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and television, radio, and film from Syracuse University.
Koneva, Blackburn and Lacher Join Hezel Associates
Elena Koneva joined the Strategic Services team in December as a research associate. Koneva will apply her knowledge of the global, political economy to the business and economics of the education industry, concentrating on international research. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics and Intercultural communication from Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University in Russia.
Erika Kathleen Blackburn began her position as a Research Associate for the Evaluation team in January. With more than seven years of experience as a researcher, evaluator and instructor, her responsibilities at Hezel Associates include evaluation design, and analysis of educational programs, especially in the firm’s project with PBS TeacherLine. Blackburn holds a Master’s Degree from Cornell University in Developmental Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, with a special emphasis on social development and the ecology of human development. She presently is a doctoral candidate in the same field of study at Cornell University.
Anna Piacentini Lacher joined the Evaluation team as a project coordinator in January. In her role at Hezel Associates, she contributes to data collection, analysis and report writing, and handles participant contact and web communications for the New York City iTeach/iLearn Initiative, an evaluation for The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), and all PBS projects. Lacher received her bachelor’s in sociology at Messiah College. She is pursuing graduate coursework in educational psychology and human development at Temple University.
DuPont Joins Hezel Assoicates, Offices Expand to New York City
In February, Versonya DuPont joined Hezel Associates to represent the company in its research for New York City iTeach/iLearn. The project entails evaluating the iTeach/iLearn mobile computing program over several years. DuPont will coordinate evaluation activities for the project. Her recent experience includes a position as Senior Education Technology Specialist at NYU’s Metropolitan Center for Urban Education. During her free time, she is completing her Ph.D. dissertation in Learning Sciences at Northwestern University.
Our Work
ProLiteracy America’s Performance Accountability Initiative
Hezel Associates will evaluate the impact of project activities on participant outcomes throughout a three-year contract with ProLiteracy America. The initiative hopes to communicate constructive accountability practices in adult basic education and volunteer-based literacy programs. For each of the three years, Hezel Associates will connect accountability measures with the program’s desired outcomes, including greater student learning, higher retention rates, and greater success communicating within the community the program’s achievement.
New York City iTeach/iLearn
The New York City Department of Education tapped Hezel Associates to conduct an analysis of the three-year NYC iTeach/iLearn initiative. During the course of evaluation, Hezel Associates' research will determine the program’s impact on teaching and learning environments. The initiative aims to improve instruction and learning through the use of mobile one-to-one computing.
Our Ideas
Hezel Associates is weighing in on education’s hot topics. Look for members of the Hezel team at these upcoming conferences.
IIR Education Industry Investment Forum
March 26-28, Miami, FL
Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D., and Josh Mitchell will attend
2007 AERA Annual Meeting and Exhibition (American Educational Research Association)
April 9-13, Chicago, IL
Craig Nichols and Jessica Yusaitis will present
UCEA 2007 (University Continuing Education Association)
April 11-14, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Betsy Bedigian and Josh Mitchell will attend
Betsy will present
CONAHEC (North American Higher Education Conference)
April 25-27, Quebec City, Canada
Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D., and Josh Mitchell will attend
NUTN 2007 (National University Telecommunications Network) *25th Anniversary
June 10-12, Philadelphia, PA
Richard T. Hezel, Ph.D., and Josh Mitchell will present
CEANY West Regional Meeting
April 3, Rochester, NY
Betsy Bedigian will attend
ACHE Region III
May 1, New York City
Betsy Bedigian and Josh Mitchell will attend and present
Get the latest conference news for the education sector. Visit www.hezel.com and check out our events page and conference listings.