Sylvia Epps
Dr. Sylvia R. Epps began her research career at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.
(in 2006) in Human Development and Family Sciences. From there, Epps completed a 2-year a post-doctoral faculty
training program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Currently, she is the COO and Director of Research
Operations at Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR). DIR is an African American-owned research firm that
provides contracted services to government agencies, foundations, and other research firms, including data
collection, social, educational, and work force development research and evaluation, and technical assistance. With
more than 18 years of research and evaluation experience, Epps has directed multiple large scale data collection and
national evaluation projects all focused on advancing social policies and improving programs for under-served
populations and racial minorities. She is experienced in large-scale longitudinal random assignment experiments,
quasi-experimental studies, data collection, survey development, and instrument design. As a woman of color, a
scholar, and leader, Epps is deliberate about ensuring that DIR approaches all projects with a racial equity lens,
employing a participatory approach to evaluation projects, and creating awareness with clients and partners about
incorporating contextual factors into our methodologies.
Dr. Epps is currently directing multiple evaluations where CREA is at the forefront. Specifically, she is leading: the
national evaluation of the Will Keith Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
(TRHT), a multi-site initiative to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion and racial justice; the national evaluation
of the RWJF Building Capacity for Tobacco Control Advocacy Among Populations Most Harmed by Tobacco
initiative, which is a health equity initiative in 7 distinct locales seeks to empower African Americans and rural
communities to advocate for stronger tobacco control policies in 14 targeted states referred to as “Tobacco Nation.”;
the evaluation of the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (GKFF-BEST) – a
longitudinal place-based initiative designed to alter the nurturing context of a distinct community; and the evaluation
of Bloomberg Philanthropies Historically Black Medial Schools (HBMS) Debt Relief Program, which provided debt
relief for 1,000 African American medical students. Previously, Dr. Epps served as project director for the TRIO
Implementation and Outcomes (TRIO) study, conducted on behalf of ED’s National Center for Education
Evaluation and Regional Assistance, to investigate what implementation strategies were commonly used by Upward
Bound projects and how they varied across project characteristics. TRIO programs identify and provide services for
students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
As a CREA Affiliate Researcher, Dr. Epps intends to continuing to develop as a scholar and leader. She is an active
member of Advancing Culturally-responsive and Equitable (ACE) Evaluation Network, the American Evaluation
Association, the American Association for Public Opinion Research, as well as other professional associations. She
is currently writing a book chapter on how CREE principles were infused in the TRHT evaluation.
Quote: “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. ”Vernā Myers
This quote resonates with me as an evaluator. African Americans are often targeted in research studies, heavily
recruited, and over surveyed. But for many decades we were not included in the design, implementation, or
interpretations of the research we partook in or was measured by. I seek a research industry that asks me and
BIPOCs to dance.
(in 2006) in Human Development and Family Sciences. From there, Epps completed a 2-year a post-doctoral faculty
training program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Currently, she is the COO and Director of Research
Operations at Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR). DIR is an African American-owned research firm that
provides contracted services to government agencies, foundations, and other research firms, including data
collection, social, educational, and work force development research and evaluation, and technical assistance. With
more than 18 years of research and evaluation experience, Epps has directed multiple large scale data collection and
national evaluation projects all focused on advancing social policies and improving programs for under-served
populations and racial minorities. She is experienced in large-scale longitudinal random assignment experiments,
quasi-experimental studies, data collection, survey development, and instrument design. As a woman of color, a
scholar, and leader, Epps is deliberate about ensuring that DIR approaches all projects with a racial equity lens,
employing a participatory approach to evaluation projects, and creating awareness with clients and partners about
incorporating contextual factors into our methodologies.
Dr. Epps is currently directing multiple evaluations where CREA is at the forefront. Specifically, she is leading: the
national evaluation of the Will Keith Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
(TRHT), a multi-site initiative to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion and racial justice; the national evaluation
of the RWJF Building Capacity for Tobacco Control Advocacy Among Populations Most Harmed by Tobacco
initiative, which is a health equity initiative in 7 distinct locales seeks to empower African Americans and rural
communities to advocate for stronger tobacco control policies in 14 targeted states referred to as “Tobacco Nation.”;
the evaluation of the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (GKFF-BEST) – a
longitudinal place-based initiative designed to alter the nurturing context of a distinct community; and the evaluation
of Bloomberg Philanthropies Historically Black Medial Schools (HBMS) Debt Relief Program, which provided debt
relief for 1,000 African American medical students. Previously, Dr. Epps served as project director for the TRIO
Implementation and Outcomes (TRIO) study, conducted on behalf of ED’s National Center for Education
Evaluation and Regional Assistance, to investigate what implementation strategies were commonly used by Upward
Bound projects and how they varied across project characteristics. TRIO programs identify and provide services for
students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
As a CREA Affiliate Researcher, Dr. Epps intends to continuing to develop as a scholar and leader. She is an active
member of Advancing Culturally-responsive and Equitable (ACE) Evaluation Network, the American Evaluation
Association, the American Association for Public Opinion Research, as well as other professional associations. She
is currently writing a book chapter on how CREE principles were infused in the TRHT evaluation.
Quote: “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. ”Vernā Myers
This quote resonates with me as an evaluator. African Americans are often targeted in research studies, heavily
recruited, and over surveyed. But for many decades we were not included in the design, implementation, or
interpretations of the research we partook in or was measured by. I seek a research industry that asks me and
BIPOCs to dance.
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