Katie George (’24) has been named the Research & Evaluation Manager of the Clinton School Impact Center (CSIC), a multidisciplinary initiative that provides applied research and evaluation consulting services to nonprofits and government agencies in Arkansas and beyond.
In this role, George collaborates with community partners to design and conduct research tailored to their needs, focusing on community-based participatory methods. Her responsibilities include research planning, data collection, analysis, and presenting findings to stakeholders, with an emphasis on engaging directly with community members through focus groups, interviews, and surveys.
George is excited to contribute to the growth of the Impact Center, with a vision of expanding its capacity to support community organizations and involving students in meaningful evaluation work.
Originally from Pittsfield, Maine, George joined the Clinton School of Public Service in 2022 to pursue her Master of Public Service degree. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colby College, she brought extensive experience in public health and advocacy, having served as a health educator with the Peace Corps in Malawi, AmeriCorps in Florida, and as an advocate at a domestic violence center in Maine. Prior to this role, George also worked as a research consultant, designing and completing evaluations for organizations such as Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru (HOOP) and the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP).
At the Clinton School, George discovered a passion for evaluation, completing impactful projects during her International Public Service Project (IPSP) and Capstone. She credits the Clinton School for shaping her career, highlighting how its emphasis on community-based research and evaluation opened a fulfilling new path.
“The community-based research methods and evaluation practices I learned perfectly combined my love for community work with evidence-based research to facilitate sustainable change,” George explains. Mentored by Clinton School faculty, especially Dr. Nichola Driver, she embraced her newfound interest in evaluation, ultimately leading to her role in launching and managing the Impact Center.
The Clinton School Impact Center specializes in services such as evaluation strategy development, needs assessments, program data analysis, and capacity building. George’s leadership reflects a commitment to centering research around the needs of communities and fostering sustainable improvements in public health and other areas.
George looks forward to expanding the reach and impact of the center, helping more organizations meet their research goals while inspiring future Clinton School students to engage in the vital work of evaluation and applied research.
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