Experience

Association for Institutional Research (AIR)

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consulting Project Manager for the Joint Statement on Analytics

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  The Association for Institutional Research (AIR), EDUCAUSE, and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) call for the advancement of higher education's use of analytics. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As Consulting Project Manager, Tait is facilitating a participatory process with institutional leaders, which will result in a guide for institutions that want to take action to advance their analytics culture. The Association for Institutional Research (AIR), EDUCAUSE, and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) call for the advancement of higher education's use of analytics. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As Consulting Project Manager, Tait is facilitating a participatory process with institutional leaders, which will result in a guide for institutions that want to take action to advance their analytics culture.



The Evaluation Coach

• Mexico
• Business Consulting and Services

• Independent Data Strategy Coach

  • Apr 2022 - Present

  I coach mission-driven teams to build their evaluation capacity via a step-by-step process where program-level teams identify their learning questions, outcomes, what to measure, and how to tell their story. I coach mission-driven teams to build their evaluation capacity via a step-by-step process where program-level teams identify their learning questions, outcomes, what to measure, and how to tell their story.



Higher Ed Insight

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Research and Strategic Services

  • Aug 2019 - Dec 2021

  Supervised team of researchers to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and custom evaluation. Worked with clients in non-profits, foundations, associations, and postsecondary institutions on a broad range of topics pertaining to higher education.Facilitated workshops and learning events using appreciative inquiry approaches, such as “data parties” where clients reflect together on the past year’s outcomes.

• Research Consultant

  • Jan 2019 - Jul 2019

  Served on research team for several mixed-methods projects.



Tulane University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Education Research Alliance for New Orleans

  • May 2016 - Aug 2019

  Served on two multi-year, mixed-methods research project teams, under the leadership of Dr. Douglas Harris.Testing the Promise: A Randomized Trial of a Promise College Scholarship for Urban Public School Students, Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Institute for Education Sciences. August 2016 – August 2019 • Full project included a mixed-methods RCT of a promise scholarshipThe New “One Best System?”: Urban Governance and Educational Practice in the Portfolio Management Model, funded by the Spencer Foundation. January 2016 – February 2017• Full project included a mixed-methods comparison of three portfolio management school districts• Conducted qualitative interviews with system-level leaders of New Orleans schools Show less

• City, Culture, Community PhD Fellow

  • Aug 2014 - Jul 2019

  The City, Culture and Community interdisciplinary doctoral program at Tulane University brings together the departments of Sociology, Urban Studies, and Social Work.The program's unique structure allows it to bring together approaches from throughout the social sciences, social work, law, and the humanities to examine the diverse challenges facing today's urban spaces. As a broad-based and integrative graduate education-research program, CCC looks at issues and interrelationships between the physical environment and social, economic, and political institutions and processes that shape urban areas. Show less



Tulane Center for Public Service

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Fellow

  • May 2016 - Jul 2019

  Supported Center for Public Service staff through participatory workshops on evaluation, including social justice evaluation and logic model creation. I developed and analyzed survey data. Acted as an ambassador for CPS through publications and international conference presentations. Supported Center for Public Service staff through participatory workshops on evaluation, including social justice evaluation and logic model creation. I developed and analyzed survey data. Acted as an ambassador for CPS through publications and international conference presentations.



Campus Compact

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Fellow

  • Jun 2015 - Oct 2015

  Served on research team for the Community Engagement Professionals Project, including data analysis around building a competency model. Published chapter in book about institutionalizing service on campus. Served on research team for the Community Engagement Professionals Project, including data analysis around building a competency model. Published chapter in book about institutionalizing service on campus.



Woodward Hines Education Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• East Mississippi Outreach Director and Data Analyst

  • Jul 2012 - Aug 2014

  Redesigned data collection and created analysis reports for the Board of Directors. Traveled to high schools around Mississippi to present on college admissions and financial aid. Counseled students and parents on financing college, primarily low-income families from rural areas. Selected for NCAN Common Measures grant for data analysis. Redesigned data collection and created analysis reports for the Board of Directors. Traveled to high schools around Mississippi to present on college admissions and financial aid. Counseled students and parents on financing college, primarily low-income families from rural areas. Selected for NCAN Common Measures grant for data analysis.



International House

• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Programs Coordinator

  • Jul 2011 - Aug 2012

  Directly supervised 12 graduate fellows in planning cultural, performing arts, travel, language, and other events. Collaborated with fellowship recipients and staff to envision, advertise, implement, and supervise an average of 25 events per month for residential community of 700 international graduate students. Led training sessions for 50+ Resident Fellows and Program Fellows. Responsible for vendor coordination, supply management, and office/event related purchases. Directly supervised 12 graduate fellows in planning cultural, performing arts, travel, language, and other events. Collaborated with fellowship recipients and staff to envision, advertise, implement, and supervise an average of 25 events per month for residential community of 700 international graduate students. Led training sessions for 50+ Resident Fellows and Program Fellows. Responsible for vendor coordination, supply management, and office/event related purchases.



Teachers College, Columbia University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Fellowship

  • Sep 2010 - Jul 2011

  Worked at the Career Center at Teachers College, Columbia University as a graduate fellow. Worked at the Career Center at Teachers College, Columbia University as a graduate fellow.