Dr. Sylvia R. Epps, Chief Operating Officer at Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR), has been selected as an Affiliate Researcher for the Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. CREA brings together researchers and practitioners to address the growing need for policy-relevant studies that understand the nature and influence of cultural norms, practices, and expectations in the design, implementation, and evaluation of social and educational interventions. At DIR, an African American owned research and evaluation firm based in Houston, Texas, Dr. Epps also serves as the Director of Research Operations where she has directed multiple large-scale data collection and national evaluation projects all focused on advancing social policies and improving programs for underserved populations and racial minorities.

Dr. Epps’ selection as a CREA Affiliate serves as a significant step towards expanding DIR’s commitment to conducting culturally responsive research. For more than 36 years, DIR has offered unique perspectives and adaptive methodologies that have been particularly effective in working with diverse groups and developing culturally responsive evaluation practices that support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Epps is pleased to be among the esteemed scholars of like-minded CREA Affiliate Researchers and looks forward to both contributing to and learning from others applying a racial equity lens to their work, employing a participatory approach to evaluation projects, and creating awareness about incorporating contextual factors into our methodologies.