Center for Rural Studies Staff: Michele Cranwell Schmidt

Michele Cranwell Schmidt, MPA

Evaluation Coordinator, Center for Rural Studies

207 Morrill Hall
The University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont 05405
Ph 802-656-0256
fax 802-656-4975
Mschmidt@uvm.edu

Michele works in the area of program evaluation for social service non profit organizations throughout Vermont. Projects areas include: micro business development, domestic violence, local agriculture and farm-to-school initiatives, education and literacy, and restorative justice for youth. Michele has co-managed the Vermonter Poll from 2000 to 2008. She is also a lecturer at the University of Vermont, teaching graduate and undergraduate students program evaluation for decision making and applied research methods. Michele graduated from the University of Vermont in May 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. She completed her Honors Senior Thesis for her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at UVM in 1999, entitled: "An analysis of knowledge, intention, self efficacy, and perception of women certified for pesticide use in Vermont and correlation to risk minimization practices". Michele holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Vermont and completed her master's thesis on microenterprise development and characteristics that lead to client success. Her thesis work is published in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship and was presented at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity Annual Conference in May 2007.

Michele is the recipient of the 2008 Nancy Nye Fellowship in Rural Community Development. This fellowship is supported by the national rural program of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (Rural LISC) and the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. The goal of the fellowship is to support original research that builds knowledge about and understanding of rural community development. This fellowship honors the work of Nancy Nye who devoted her career to working for social and economic justice, focusing her keen intellect, enormous energy, and wisdom on helping poor and disenfranchised people and struggling communities help themselves. This fellowship will add to grant funds to support Michele’s evaluation of the LACE project. Michele is also a yoga instructor at YogaVermont and UVM's Group Fitness program. She is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys taking nature photography (with her images displayed on this website).

EDUCATION

University of Vermont, Master of Public Administration, May 2006
Member, Phi Alpha Aplha

University of Vermont, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences:
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies; Concentration: Social Science Research, Women’s Issues

MAJOR SKILLS

Program Evaluation: Manager of program evaluation services for state wide non-profit and social service agencies
Project Management/Supervision: Managed administration of Vermonter Poll 2000-08, staff, timeline, and budget. Work Study Supervisor, 2003-2008
Writing: Undergraduate and Master's thesis, peer reviewed articles, invited and refereed conference proceedings, newsletter articles, policy briefs, interim and end of year reports
Presentations: Ten years of undergraduate, graduate and professional experience in presenting findings of research, both invited and refereed
Information Technology: Microsoft Office, SPSS, CI3, HTML

WORK EXPERIENCES

Lecturer, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, June 2006-present. Courses taught include:

PA 395 Evaluation for Decision-Making
PA 303/CDAE 351/CDAE 250 Applied Research Methods

Evaluation Coordinator/Research Specialist, Center for Rural Studies, University of Vermont, August 2001-present

Coordinate program evaluation services of statewide non-profit organizations in the areas of microbusiness development, local agriculture, domestic violence, and youth and family services
Write, revise, and edit grant proposals to fund projects
Develop budgets and contractual arrangements with statewide non-profit, University, and private grant-funded projects
Develop and implement quantitative and qualitative paper and online survey instruments
Conduct focus groups and interviews
Analyze data and disseminate findings in interim and annual reports
Publish findings on the CRS website, popular media, and peer reviewed journals
Develop Powerpoint presentations and present at appropriate conferences
Project manager for annual statewide opinion poll

Research Process Analyst, Center for Rural Studies, University of Vermont, May 1999 - August 2001:

Program evaluation manager of statewide non-profit organizations in the areas of education, literacy, youth and family, domestic violence, and micro business development

Assist in grant writing for projects

Developed quantitative and qualitative paper and online survey instruments

Analyzed data and disseminated findings in interim and annual reports.

Project manager for annual statewide opinion poll

Assisted in editing research papers for faculty

OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES

President and Steering Committee Member, Women Helping Battered Women. July'04-present

Participant in 5K races for Human Society of Chittenden County and SafeSpace/RU12, 2006-2008

Undergraduate Thesis Advisor, Environmental Studies program, University of Vermont. 2001-2004

Yoga Instructor, Yoga Vermont. Nov '01-present. Taught yoga classes to benefit Women Helping Battered Women

Board of Trustees member, Treasurer and former Secretary, Vermont Chapter of Partners of the Americas. Jan ‘00-present

Semester Abroad in Belize, Central America, "Natural History and Cultural Ecology", School for International Training. Sept-Dec ‘98.

Intern, Univesity of Vermont, Mail Services. "Reducing unwanted mail on campus." Jan 97-May 98.

MEMBER OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Association for Community Organization & Social Administration. 2008
American Evaluation Association. 2004-08.
American Society of Public Administration. 2004-08.
American Council on Consumer Interests. 2000, 2002, 2008.

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Schmidt, M.C. and J. Kolodinsky. (2007). Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 47-69.

Cranwell, M.., J. Kolodinsky, G. Carsten, F. Schmidt, M. Larson, and C. MacLachlan. (2007). Short term change in attitude and motivating factors to change abusive behavior of male batterers after participating in a group intervention program based on the pro-feminist and cognitive-behavioral approach. Journal of Family Violence 22(2).

Schmidt, M.C. , J. Jewiss, C. Koliba, and J. Kolodinsky. (2006). Perspectives on self-employment as a viable option for Vermont TANF recipients. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of Vermont.

Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, C. Flint, and B. Whitney. (2006). The impact of microenterprise training on low-income clients.Journal of Extension, 44(2).

Cranwell, M.., J. Kolodinsky, C. Donnelly, D.L. Downing, and O. Padilla Zakour. (2005).A model food entrepreneur assistance and education program: The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship. . Journal of Food Science Education, 4(4): 56-65.

Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, K. Anderson, and F. Schmidt. (2004). Evaluating a domestic violence task force: Methods to strengthen a community collaboration." Journal of Extension, 42(6).

Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, and E. Rowe. (2002). Bridging the generation gap accross the digital divide: teens teaching internet skills to senior citizens. Journal of Extension, 40(3).

REFEREED PROCEEDINGS/PRESENTATIONS

Cranwell Schmidt, M. (May 2007). Microenterprise development program success: A path analysis of factors that lead to and mediate client success. Association for Enterprise Opportunity Annual Conference, May 2007. Kansas City, Missouri.

Cranwell Schmidt, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2005). Micro Business in Vermont: Lessons Learned from Three Micro Business Development Program Evaluations. Presented at the conference: What Works! The Future of Rural Entrepreneurship & Community Development in the Northeast. September 28-30, 2005. Burlington, Vermont.

Cranwell Schmidt, M., Kolodinsky, J., Donnelly, C, and O. Padilla-Zakour. (2005). The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship: Program Evaluation Findings and Lessons Learned. Poster presentation at the conference: What Works! The Future of Rural Entrepreneurship & Community Development in the Northeast. September 28-30, 2005. Burlington, Vermont.

Cranwell Schmidt, M. and C. Flint. (2005). The Use of Return on Investment Analysis. Presented at the conference: What Works! The Future of Rural Entrepreneurship & Community Development in the Northeast. September 28-30, 2005. Burlington, Vermont.

Cranwell, M., J. Kolodinsky, C. Donnelly, and O. Padilla-Zakour. (2004). Impact of University-Based Centers that Support Food Entrepreneurs. Pesented at the Institute of Food Technologists annual conference. July 13, 2004

Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2004). Increasing self-sufficiency and building social capital: the impact of the statewide Micro Business Development Program. Presented at the Vermont Research Partnership annual meeting. February 18, 2004.

Cranwell, M, and J. Kolodinsky. (2002). The impact of microenterprise development on low-income Vermonters: Building social and human capital to work towards economic and self-sufficiency. Consumer Interests Annual, 48.

Cranwell, M , and J. Kolodinsky. (2000). The poor pay more? Now they don't even have a store to choose from: Bringing a supermarket back to the city. Consumer Interests Annual, 46.

COMPLETED REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS

Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2004). “The Vermont Kitchens Project Final Evaluation Report, 2000-2004”. Prepared for JOLI/OCS and Central Vermont Community Action Agency. June 30, 2004.

Cranwell, M. (2004). “Micro and Small Business Ownership in Vermont: Vermonter Poll 2004”. Presented to the Vermont Community Action Agencies Micro Business Development Program. June 9, 2004.

Cranwell, M. (2004). “Micro and Small Businesses in Vermont: Impact and Case for Support”. Presented at the Technical Assistance Providers Association Annual Conference on June 2, 2004.

Cranwell, M. (2004). “Client Characteristics and Program Outputs as Predictors of Personal and Business Success: The Impact of the Vermont Micro Business Development Program”. Prepared for the University of Vermont Master of Public Administration Program and the Vermont Community Action Agencies Micro Business Development Program. May 11, 2004.

Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2004). “Child Care Business Initiative Evaluation Report”. Presented to JOLI/OCS and Vermont Community Action Agencies Micro Business Development Program. April 16, 2004.

Cranwell, M. and J. Kolodinsky. (2003). “Micro Business Development Program of Vermont Client Outcome Study.” Prepared for the Vermont Community Action Agencies and the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity. July 2003.

Kolodinsky, J., M. Cranwell, G. Schmidt, and C. Donnan. (1999). "Consumer Attitudes Towards a Downtown Supermarket: Burlington, Vermont," Prepared for the City of Burlington, community and Economic Development Office.

M. Cranwell. (1999). "An analysis of knowledge, intention, self efficacy, and perception of women certified for pesticide use in Vermont and correlation to risk minimization practices," Honors senior thesis. Presented findings to Environmental Program faculty and the Pesticide Applicator Training Board of the Vermont Department of Agriculture.

M. Cranwell. (1998). "Pesticide use among small vegetable farmers in the Cayo District, Belize, Central America," Independent Study Project, School for International Training. Presented findings to the Pesticide Control Board, Belize, Central America.

M. Cranwell. (1998). "Know Waste Mail, No Waste Mail: Reducing Unwanted Mail On-Campus," University of Vermont Mail Services. Presented to the Environmental Council at the University of Vermont.

HONORS AND AWARDS

2008 Nancy Nye Fellowship award in Rural Community Development, April 2008-09
United Way Hometown Hero Volunteer of the Week Award, August 22, 2006
Edith D. Hendley Award, University of Vermont Women's Center, May 2006
Member of Pi Alpha Alpha, Inducted in May 2004
Sarah Emily June Empowerment Scholarship to attend the Women and Public Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., January 2003
SUGR/FAME Award, 2000
American Council on Consumer Interests Student Travel Award, March 2000
Honors Senior Thesis, May 1999
Environmental Program Honors, University of Vermont, May 1999
Outstanding Senior in Environmental Studies, University of Vermont, May 1999

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Yoga, running, painting, hiking, skiing, photography