Elizabeth Oyer, president and director of EvalSolutions Inc, has been appointed as the new Director for the National Institute for STEM Evaluation and Research (NISER) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville effective July 1, 2023. Oyer also will hold the position of 12-month research track professor and will be a member of the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies department in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
Oyer’s primary responsibility as director will be to develop a strategic plan for NISER focusing on enhancing collaboration across the campus, supporting its transition to CEHHS, and expanding NISER’s focus beyond STEM fields, ensuring the institute encompasses a wider range of disciplines. She also aims to provide valuable training experiences for students in the Evaluation, Statistics & Methodology graduate program, equipping them with essential skills for their future careers.
With 27 years of experience in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods evaluation, Oyer brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role. Her background as an evaluation leader includes managing millions of dollars in small- and large-scale contracts for single and multi-site projects at the local and state level, as well as a strong emphasis on STEM education at K-12 and post-secondary levels. She has successfully secured business development opportunities through state and federal grants, private foundations, and fundraising initiatives. Her expertise in trans-disciplinary partnership development has fostered collaboration with various stakeholders, including the community, government agencies, industry, higher education, and K-12 education.
Previously, Oyer was president and director at EvalSolutions Inc and vice president of Applied Research and Evaluation at Choices Coordinated Care Solutions. Oyer has also served as a reviewer, program chair, and chair for several interest groups through the American Evaluation Association and the American Educational Research Association. Earlier in her career, she served as an assistant professor at National-Louis University in Chicago, IL.
After receiving an undergraduate degree in psychology and communications from Purdue University, Oyer received her master’s and doctorate in educational psychology from Indiana University.
With extensive experience and expertise in evaluation and educational leadership, Oyer is poised to lead NISER in its mission to advance research, evaluation, and collaboration within the UT community and beyond.