Designing action-based evaluation and learning for strategic organizations!

For the past 25 years, I’ve worked with private philanthropy, state systems of higher education, and colleges & universities to document implementation of effective policies and practices, and measure impact in terms of students’ educational and employment outcomes. My experience as a program officer at Lumina Foundation, where I served as Director of Higher Education Research between 2021 and 2024, along with two decades serving as an independent researcher and evaluator through my company DVP-PRAXIS LTD, has provided me with a wealth of observational insights and lessons on philanthropic initiatives, organizational change, program implementation, scale and sustainability. My experience and expertise are assets to help your organization manage change – a critical skill given this moment of transition facing philanthropy, educational research, and higher education.   

“My years of experience designing and conducting research and evaluation in postsecondary education and workforce training systems means I am ready to jump in and offer knowledgeable, contextualized feedback and meaningful learning.”

— Derek V. Price, Principal, VSA Consulting LLC

What We Do

VSA Consulting LLC can serve as a philanthropic consultant, research and evaluation advisor, or postsecondary change management strategist who is ready to multitask for dynamic organizations and organizations going through rapid change. I can help you illuminate challenges, identify solutions, and measure outcomes to provide postsecondary and workforce systems with reliable insights and actionable recommendations.

How can I serve you?

An Independent Consultant with a National Presence

VSA Consulting LLC has experience working in 35 States and the District of Columbia

Education and Training Organizations

I collaborate with leaders and learners from colleges, universities, system offices, and workforce training providers to understand the impact of strategic initiatives and innovative programs.

National Non-Profits

I collaborate with national non-profits to better understand and help their community partners adopt and scale postsecondary education and workforce solutions.

Foundations

I collaborate with national foundations to identify strategic investments in programs and practices, guide continuous improvement, and measure outcomes and impact.

The VSA CONSULTING ADVANTAGE

✓ Committed to equity-focused approaches to evaluation and center our work around communities that are most impacted by inequitable systems and policies.

✓ Expertise in college access and success, including workforce education and training. I encourage participatory and inclusive practices to highlight systemic barriers to equitable opportunities and outcomes.

✓ I understand organizational structures and how power shapes behavior within postsecondary and workforce education and training institutions. My expertise is drawn from engagements with over 125 two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities in 35 states, including several state systems and agencies.

✓ I have demonstrated experience evaluating federal grants, especially those funded by the US Department of Labor and US Department of Education. Our evaluations are designed to meet both What Works Clearinghouse and Clearinghouse of Labor Evaluation and Research standards.

✓ I regularly partner with national non-profits and private foundations working to improve postsecondary and workforce systems through institution-level, system-level, and policy-driven strategies.

✓ I am flexible and creative in our work with clients to ensure our work is useful for them. I help clients make sense of their organizational and policy dynamics and take next steps based on their needs and priorities.

Lessons & Insights

Project Examples (DVP-PRAXIS LTD)

We provide a comprehensive range of evaluative services, reflective facilitation, and strategic guidance to support improvement in postsecondary education and workforce systems. We invite you to explore our current projects to learn how we are informing implementation and measuring impact.