Become a LEEAD Scholar

Enhance Your CREE Practice

Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) is an evaluation training program designed to develop a pathway for diverse leaders in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE) who will advance the field of evaluation.

Since the Program began in the fall of 2015, 81 Scholars have completed the LEEAD Program. Every LEEAD cohort is composed of Scholars from a variety of backgrounds, representing multiple interests, and each bringing unique perspectives creating a robust community. LEEADers are dedicated to moving the field of evaluation toward social justice through CREE.

Why Become a LEEAD Scholar?

For many Scholars, LEEAD has helped to create pathways to advancing in their careers, provided professional development, and increased visibility and opportunity for collaboration on evaluation projects. LEEAD Scholars are already adding to the diversity in the field of research and evaluation and improving the knowledge base to make for better science and social innovation. We are seeking applicants with 3-5 years of experience in research or evaluation in criminal justice, psychology, public policy, public health, mental health, sociology, economics, social work, or related fields, with at least three years of applied program evaluation experience after graduation. Because of ETB’s mission to disrupt the current state of the evaluation field, which has suppressed the perspectives and voices of marginalized evaluators, ETB encourages applicants from Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse communities who have been and/or are presently marginalized in the United States. Applicants must be residing in and eligible to work in the United States.

• Read the Scholar Overview
• Meet the Current LEEAD Scholars and Alumni
• Visit the LEEAD FAQ Page

Expectations for LEEAD Scholars

• Complete the online LEEAD curriculum (approximately 6-8 hours/week) and assignments to learn about CREE. This includes attending all class discussions and guest lectures, unless prior notice of absence is provided.
• Connect with your matched Mentor throughout the LEEAD experience via phone, email, video-chat, or in person.
• Work closely with a Practicum Site liaison and/or project supervisor to complete an evaluation project.
• Complete evaluation surveys associated with the online curriculum, program experience, and follow-up assessing satisfaction, changes in evaluation competencies, and application of new knowledge and skills.
• Attend two in-person events:
  • The kick off meeting, the LEEAD Symposium, in August/September 2025, and
  • The culmination event which will coincide with the 2026 American Evaluation Association conference in November in Charlotte, NC.
  • Scholars are expected to contribute a total of $500 toward travel to attend the two in-person meetings. If that contribution is prohibitive, we invite applicants to contact ETB via email at team@expandingthebench.org with a request for a waiver with a short rationale.
• Participate in regular check-ins with the ETB Team via web conference (as a cohort and two 1:1 check-ins) and email to ensure the LEEAD experience is going well.
• Attend professional development webinars and engage in ETB community opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

LEEAD is seeking applicants with 3-5 years of experience in research or evaluation in criminal justice, psychology, public policy, public health, mental health, sociology, economics, social work, or related fields, with at least three years of applied program evaluation experience after graduation. Because of ETB’s mission to disrupt the current state of the evaluation field, which has suppressed the perspectives and voices of marginalized evaluators, ETB encourages applicants from Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse communities who have been and/or are presently marginalized in the United States.

Other eligibility criteria include:

• Current residence and eligibility to work in the United States.
• Master’s degree, or higher, with at least 3 years of post-graduate applied project evaluation.
• Evidence of leadership capacity with potential for future growth as a thought leader in their field.
• Demonstrated interest in conducting evaluation and the use of CREE.
• Commitment to justice and equity.
• Ability to participate in virtual collaborative spaces, such as video conferencing and online networks.

Learn more on the LEEAD FAQ Page.