Colleen Chesnut

Dr. Colleen Chesnut has experience in K–12 and postsecondary program evaluation and research, using both mixed methods and qualitative approaches. She currently serves as the lead evaluator for the statewide, mixed-methods evaluation of the Kentucky Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers and has provided evaluation and technical assistance to Indiana school districts implementing dual language immersion programs. She has served as lead evaluator for postsecondary programs, as well, including both state- and federally-funded initiatives, such as NSF awards, the McNair Scholars Program, and a Race to the Top program for education leaders. Dr. Chesnut has published on dual language immersion leadership and policy, mixed methods in education policy research, leadership preparation for teacher evaluation, access for transgender students in K–12 settings, and preparing leaders for urban turnaround schools. In addition to her research and evaluation expertise, Dr. Chesnut is a skilled instructor with experience teaching at K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. At the postsecondary level, she has taught online, hybrid, and traditional formats, including courses on public program evaluation, dual language/bilingual education, education law and policy, research proposal preparation, and language acquisition for new language learners.