Faculty Spotlights
Faculty Spotlight: Brandon W. Youker, Social Work
What are your undergraduate research mentor experiences?
Student Summer Scholars, Honors College Theses, and Independent Study Projects.
Would you briefly explain the focus of some of the most recent research you have mentored students in?
Evaluation is a part of all disciplines and professions. My research focuses on how to evaluate a program. There are two paradigms for program evaluation one in which the evaluator judges the program according to its attainment of its goals and objectives and one in which the evaluator avoids learning the program’s goals and objectives instead judging it on its outcomes. My most recent research examines these two evaluation perspectives and their influence on the quality of the evaluation.
Why is mentoring undergraduate research an important component of your work?
Working directly with undergraduate students is a great way to develop a personal-professional relationship that hopefully helps the students academically and in making career choices but it also benefits the professor as undergrads offer a fresh perspective that has proven very helpful in designing and conducting research. Additionally, students come with a willingness to ask tough questions, which helps me learn how to better explain sometimes complex technical information in meaningful, practical, and comprehendible ways.
If a student is interested in your field of research, what are some suggestions or tips you might share with them to help them get more involved and/or better prepared to engage in this type of research?
Evaluation is ubiquitous. Chances are, your organization already conducts internal monitoring and evaluation. Become involved in these activities and maintain a healthy skepticism for your organization’s data collection and evaluation methods. Remember, the more extraordinary the claim, the more extraordinary the evidence!
Who are some of your previous mentees, and what are they doing now?
Brooke worked with me on grant writing. She now continues to write grants for the Creative Youth Center in addition to her role as a staff member for Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize. Alex studied needs assessments and human service management; he now runs his own nonprofit organization that serves African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos with substance use disorder.
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