EVALUATION STRATEGIST
As an Evaluation Strategist, I strive to define Client Needs, Organization Goals, and Evaluation Strategies that deliver long term, successful, social service delivery programs.
EMPLOYMENT
I work in the area of program evaluation for youth, family, and social service non-profit organizations throughout Vermont, the United States, and abroad. Project areas include: micro business development, domestic violence, education and literacy, and restorative justice for youth. I have managed the Vermonter Poll from 2000 to 2009. I am also a lecturer at the University of Vermont, teaching graduate and undergraduate students Program Evaluation for Decision Making and Applied Research Methods.
I hold a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Vermont and completed my Master's thesis on "Microenterprise Development and Characteristics That Lead to Client Success". My thesis work is slated to be published in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship in March 2007 and will be presented at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity Annual Conference in May 2007.
I graduated from the University of Vermont in May 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. I completed an Honors Senior Thesis for my undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at UVM in 1999, entitled: "An analysis of knowledge, intention, self efficacy, and perception of women certified for pesticide use in Vermont and correlation to risk minimization practices".
I am also a yoga instructor at Yoga Vermont and UVM Group Fitness. I am an outdoor enthusiast, and enjoy taking nature photography.
EDUCATION
University of Vermont, Master of Public Administration, May 2006
MAJOR SKILLS
- Program Evaluation: Manager of program evaluation for state wide non-profit and social service agencies
- Project Management/Supervision: Managed administration of Vermonter Poll 2000-06, staff, timeline, and budget. Student Work Study Supervisor, 2003-2005
- Writing: Undergraduate thesis, research article for Conference Proceedings, interim and end of year reports
- Presentations: Ten years of undergraduate and professional experience in presenting findings of research
- Information Technology: Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, Web Editing Software, Web Browsers, etc.
WORK EXPERIENCES
Evaluation Coordinator, Center for Rural Studies, University of Vermont, August 2001-present- Coordinate program evaluation services of statewide non-profit organizations in the areas of education, literacy, youth and family, domestic violence, and micro business development
- Write, revise, and edit grant proposals for projects
- Develop budgets and contractual arrangements with statewide non-profit, University, and private grant-funded projects.
- Develop quantitative and qualitative paper and online survey instruments
- Conduct focus groups and one-on-one interviews
- Analyze data and disseminate findings in interim and annual reports
- Publish findings on the CRS website, popular media, and peer reviewed journals
- Develop Powerpoint presentations and present at appropriate conferences
- Project manager for annual statewide opinion poll.
Research Process Analyst, Center for Rural Studies, University of Vermont, May 1999 - August 2001
- Program evaluation manager of statewide non-profit organizations in the areas of education, literacy, youth and family, domestic violence, and micro business development
- Assist in grant writing for projects
- Developed quantitative and qualitative paper and online survey instruments
- Analyzed data and disseminated findings in interim and annual reports.
- Project manager for annual statewide opinion poll.
- Assisted in editing research papers for faculty
Internship, "Reducing Unwanted Mail On-Campus", University of Vermont Mail Services, January 1997- May 1998
- Determined need for unwanted mail reduction on-campus and researched related issues
- Conducted a survey of efforts at other institutions to reduce unwanted mail
- Designed and implemented pilot on-campus waste mail reduction project
- Developed feasibility report to instate project on-campus at larger level and presented findings
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
- Undergraduate Thesis Advisor, Environmental Studies program at UVM. 2001-2004
- President and Steering Committee Member, Women Helping Battered Women. July '04-present
- Yoga Instructor, Yoga Vermont. Jan '02-present
- Board of Trustees member and former Secretary, Vermont Chapter of Partners of the Americas. Jan '00-present
- Semester Abroad in Belize, Central America, "Natural History and Social Ecology", School for International Training. Sept-Dec '98.
- Program Assistant for seniors with special needs, Time Out Adult Care Center, Madison, NJ. May-Aug '97-’98
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
Schmidt, M.C. and J. Kolodinsky. (In press, March 2007). Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship.
Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, G. Carsten, F. Schmidt, M. Larson, and C. MacLachlan. (2007). Short term change in attitude and motivating factors to change abusive behavior of male batterers after participating in a group intervention program based on the pro-feminist and cognitive-behavioral approach. Journal of Family Violence 22(2).
Schmidt, M.C., J. Jewiss, C. Koliba, and J. Kolodinsky. (2006). Perspectives on self-employment as a viable option for Vermont TANF recipients. Unpublished Master's Thesis. University of Vermont.
Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, and B. Whitney. (2006). The impact of microenterprise training on low-income clients. Journal of Extension, 44(2).
Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, K. Anderson, and F. Schmidt. (2004). Evaluating a domestic violence task force: Methods to strengthen a community collaboration." Journal of Extension, 42(6).
REFEREED PROCEEDINGS/PRESENTATIONS
Cranwell Schmidt, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2005). Micro Business in Vermont: Lessons Learned from Three Micro Business Development Program Evaluations. Presented at the conference: What Works! The Future of Rural Entrepreneurship & Community Development in the Northeast. September 28-30, 2005. Burlington, Vermont.
Cranwell Schmidt, M. and C. Flint. (2005). The Use of Return on Investment Analysis. Presented at the conference: What Works! The Future of Rural Entrepreneurship & Community Development in the Northeast. September 28-30, 2005. Burlington, Vermont.
Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2004). Increasing self-sufficiency and building social capital: the impact of the statewide Micro Business Development Program. Presented at the Vermont Research Partnership annual meeting. February 18, 2004.
Cranwell, M., and J. Kolodinsky. (2000). The poor pay more? Now they don't even have a store to choose from: Bringing a supermarket back to the city. Consumer Interests Annual, 46.
COMPLETED REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS
Cranwell, M. (2004). "Micro and Small Business Ownership in Vermont: Vermonter Poll 2004". Presented to the Vermont Community Action Agencies Micro Business Development Program. June 9, 2004.
Cranwell, M. (2004). "Client Characteristics and Program Outputs as Predictors of Personal and Business Success: The Impact of the Vermont Micro Business Development Program". Prepared for the University of Vermont Master of Public Administration Program and the Vermont Community Action Agencies Micro Business Development Program. May 11, 2004.
Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2004). "Child Care Business Initiative Evaluation Report". Presented to JOLI/OCS and Vermont Community Action Agencies Micro Business Development Program. April 16, 2004.
Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2003). "Micro Business Development Program of Vermont Client Outcome Study." Prepared for the Vermont Community Action Agencies and the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity. July 2003.
Kolodinsky, J., M. Cranwell, G. Schmidt, and C. Donnan. (1999). "Consumer Attitudes Towards a Downtown Supermarket: Burlington, Vermont," Prepared for the City of Burlington, Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO).
M. Cranwell. (1999). "An analysis of knowledge, intention, self efficacy, and perception of women certified for pesticide use in Vermont and correlation to risk minimization practices," Honors senior thesis. Presented findings to Environmental Program faculty and the Pesticide Applicator Training Board of the Vermont Department of Agriculture.
M. Cranwell. (1998). "Pesticide use among small vegetable farmers in the Cayo District, Belize, Central America," Independent Study Project, School for International Training. Presented findings to the Pesticide Control Board, Belize, Central America.
M. Cranwell. (1998). "Know Waste Mail, No Waste Mail: Reducing Unwanted Mail On-Campus," University of Vermont Mail Services. Presented to the Environmental Council at the University of Vermont.
HONORS AND AWARDS
- United Way Hometown Hero Volunteer of the Week Award, August 22, 2006
- Edith D. Hendley Award, University of Vermont Women's Center, May 2006
- Member of Pi Alpha Alpha, Inducted in May 2004
- Sarah Emily June Empowerment Scholarship to attend the Women and Public Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., January 2003
- SUGR/FAME Award, 2000
- American Council on Consumer Interests Student Travel Award, March 2000
- Honors Senior Thesis, May 1999
- Environmental Program Honors for Senior Thesis, May 1999
- Outstanding Senior in Environmental Studies, May 1999
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Yoga, running, painting, hiking, skiing, photography
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