LISA SIMMONS
Research Manager
Lisa Simmons brings a wealth of experience writing, designing, building, and analyzing surveys on a range of complex problems to her role as Research Manager. In her role, Lisa also works on ad-hoc research projects including conducting literature reviews, secondary research, geodemographics, and financial aid analyses at the firm.
Lisa specializes in using quantitative and qualitative data to provide informed recommendations to businesses and nonprofits situated at the intersections of higher education and community initiatives. Transforming data and findings into evidence-based perspectives and recommendations is Lisa’s favorite part of the work.
She has spent the last 10 years managing all aspects of large-scale survey projects with K12 and higher education stakeholders and private industry partners. Before joining the Art & Science Group, Lisa worked as a research faculty member at Auburn University supporting external and program evaluations across the United States. Lisa’s evaluation specialization was supporting STEM-based programming that increased educational access and outcomes for underserved student populations. Her additional experience includes work at a high-security juvenile detention center that used data and research to inform treatment and release from incarceration.
Lisa is an affiliated faculty member at Auburn University and has served in multiple leadership roles in professional associations such as the American Evaluation Association and the Southeast Evaluation Association.
Education
B.A. Psychology, Auburn University
M.A. Developmental Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University
Ph.D. Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation, Auburn University