Typically, in our quarterly updates, we will feature someone from our community-facing team, whether that’s an Eskenazi Community Health Worker (CHW), Neighborhood CHW, project manager, or others. And there’s good reason for that! DIP-IN is designed by, for, and with the community and that is the heart of our project. However, there is also a whole team behind the scenes that is working to demonstrate the impact of this project so that we can keep this great work going.
In this quarterly update, we want to feature a team member from our Evaluation Team, Celeste Nicholas, and spotlight the work she and others are doing to highlight the impact of DIP-IN on our communities.
How long have you been a part of the DIP-IN team and what is your role?
I have been a part of the DIP-IN team for two years. I do qualitative research and evaluation. In short, I look at everything but the numbers (that is Tess’s area). I do a lot of interviews and try to monitor our impact on the community. It’s vital to hear about people’s lived experiences. At this point, we know DIP-IN is helping to build community capacity in a number of ways. The more people I interview, the more we learn. Let’s talk?
Tell us more about why you joined DIP-IN?
I am from the Indianapolis area (Fishers). I have a PhD in K-12 science education with a focus on health. I have studied how people learn about health equity and how it impacts their lives. I have personally experienced that. I tell people that DIP-IN is the ‘real deal’ project that engages community to support health equity. DIP-IN also is a unique, complex model. I love this challenge and can’t wait to share all we learn.
Can you tell us more about what the evaluation team will be working on as DIP-IN is now in Year 6?
Tess and I will be telling the story of how DIP-IN is impacting communities, from many different angles. One of our goals is to share more of what we find while the project is still active. Partners and other interested parties can then use the data to make informed decisions.
What are you looking forward to most in the next couple years of DIP-IN?
DIP-IN has been described as a once-in-a-career opportunity, and I want to make the most of that. I am eager to learn as much as possible and share it far and wide. Other communities—in Indy and elsewhere—are looking at DIP-IN as a model community-engaged health initiative. So, the sky’s the limit on our impact, but thorough research and evaluation are needed. I am also grateful to work and grow with such a fun, committed, dynamic team at Fairbanks School of Public Health.
When you are not working, what are you up to?
I like to do word play, spend time with Cookie the dog, and see live music.