Wendy Lu
Chicago,IL
Summary
Professional evaluator with a passion for bringing research skills and evidence-based practices to address social disparities. Background in community-based research projects, with an emphasis on access to higher education, immigration issues, and housing access. Five years of experience providing crisis intervention and case management to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Evaluation and Data Analyst
Family Focus
06.2023 - Current
- Spearheads internal reporting efforts, with monthly reports to Board of Directors, Program Directors, program staff, as well as semi-annual presentations to all staff
- Initiated and supported program evaluation efforts, including logic model development, site visits, instrument selection, and staff training
- Collaborates with Development and Policy Departments to identify and provide program data to support political advocacy campaigns, marketing materials, and grant applications
- Supports reporting, grant monitoring, and data integrity across all program database systems through staff training and technical assistance
Data Research Assistant
Center for Education of Women
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Coordinated and supervised team of four research assistants in working on concurrent mixed-methods research projects, resulting in reports highlighting recommendations for university administration
- Co-developed focus group guides and other data collection protocols
Policy Intern
Coalition on Temporary Shelter
01.2022 - 04.2023
- Analyzed and reported on client satisfaction data and supported internal program evaluation work
- Developed data visualizations and informational materials for internal and external use
- Represented COTS in three local and national political advocacy efforts related to housing and economic justice
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Michigan
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Performed qualitative data analysis using a grounded theory approach as part of a participatory research project on migrant run organizations
- Supported article selection and data extraction for a systematic review of 100+ articles on technological interventions for immigrants
Crisis Advocate and Supervisor
Safe Connections
05.2018 - 07.2021
- Provided crisis intervention, resources and referrals, and safety planning on a domestic and sexual violence helpline
- Reduced volunteer team turnover by improving volunteer experience
- Managed crisis helpline calendar by training, scheduling, and supervising helpline team
Case Worker
Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments
03.2018 - 09.2018
- Provided immediate crisis intervention and case management services to crisis line callers and clients in the emergency shelter program
Education
MSW - Program Evaluation & Applied Research Policy & Political Social Work
University of Michigan School of Social Work
Ann Arbor, Michigan05-2023
BA - Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and Anthropology
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri05-2018
Skills
- Program evaluation
- Data collection, cleaning, and analysis
- Data analysis and data visualization tools for qualitative and quantitative research: R, Tableau, Power BI, Dedoose
- Presentations to audiences at all organizational levels
- Group facilitation
- Literature reviews and environmental scans
- Audience-specific writing and communication
- Relationship management
- Subject area experience with Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Two-Gen Approaches to family well-being, gender-based violence, and immigration issues
- Fluency in Chinese (Mandarin)
Timeline
Program Evaluation and Data Analyst
Family Focus
06.2023 - Current
Policy Intern
Coalition on Temporary Shelter
01.2022 - 04.2023
Data Research Assistant
Center for Education of Women
08.2021 - 05.2023
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Michigan
08.2021 - 04.2022
Crisis Advocate and Supervisor
Safe Connections
05.2018 - 07.2021
Case Worker
Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments
03.2018 - 09.2018
MSW - Program Evaluation & Applied Research Policy & Political Social Work
University of Michigan School of Social Work
BA - Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and Anthropology
Washington University in St. Louis
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