Willie Burgess
Director, Evaluation and Learning Research Center (ELRC)
Evaluation and Learning Research Center (ELRC)
Education Administration
About
As an interdisciplinary researcher, professional evaluator, and director of Purdue’s Evaluation and Learning Research Center (ELRC), Willie has over 30 years of experience developing and evaluating formal and informal education programs and methodologies for a variety of audiences. Her current work focuses on innovations that improve learning, well-being, and personal or organizational development and capacity. Inspired by her Ecology background, Willie uses a context-centered systems approach to research and evaluation that strives to understand not only what works, but why it works, for whom, and under what conditions. For example, Willie recently led a multinational team evaluating the effects of primary education models on diverse populations of learners in Somalia. Results from this evaluation are informing educational programming and policy in Somalia and contributing to our understanding of educational best practice in post-conflict and fragile environments more generally. The ELRC collaborates with faculty in all colleges across campus, as well as Colleges and Universities, Foundations, Government Agencies, and NGOs, both domestically and internationally. Currently, ELRC is a partner on Federal awards to Purdue totaling more than $48 million, including support from NSF, NIH, USDA, HRSA, USAID, and the U.S. Department of Education. ELRC also partners with external entities on projects funded by HHMI, Gates Foundation, Lumina, and many other sources.
Willie arrived in West Lafayette from Pennsylvania (with a detour in Southern California) over 30 years ago. She enjoys kayaking, biking, hiking, winemaking (and drinking), and watching the ever-changing face of Lake Michigan from the bluff near her vacation cottage in Michigan.
Education
- M.S. Ecology, 1987 Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
- B.S. Biology, 1981, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
- B.S. Earth Science/Geology, 1981, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
- Marine Science Certificate, 1981, Penn State University
Career Experience
- Director, Evaluation and Learning Research Center
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
January 2017- present - Managing Director, Discovery Learning Research Center
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2003-12/2016 - Assistant Director, K-12 Science Outreach
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2000-2003 - Outreach Coordinator, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2000-2003 - Extension Specialist Food Safety/Food Security, Department of Nutrition
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
1990-1999 - Technical Writer
Signal Technology, Inc., Goleta, CA
1988-1990 - Research Associate/Project Director, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
1984-1986 - Research Scientist, Gulf + Western Advanced Fuels Technology
Zerbe Research Center, Bethlehem, PA
1981-1983
Awards & Honors
- 2024 Outstanding Leadership in Global Engagement
- 2015 Seeds of Excellence Award for grant over $1M, Purdue University
- 2013 “Science” Editor’s Choice selection for Education — 9/6/2013 Adedokun, O.A., Bessenbacher, A., Parker, L.C., Kirkham, L. & Burgess, W.D. (2013). Undergraduate Research Experiences: Modeling Relationships among Program Outcomes. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 50(8), 940-951.
- 2012 Focus Award, for outstanding contributions to furthering commitments to disability accessibility and diversity, Purdue University
- 2012 Team Award, Purdue University College of Agriculture, zipTrips – electronic field trips
- 2012 Gold Award for Interactive Media Program, The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE)
- 2011 Silver Award for in the category of Electronic Media, Video: Class 30, The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE)
- 2010 Outstanding Professional Skill Award and Gold Award in the Distance Education and Instructional Design, The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE)
- 2009 Seeds of Excellence Award for grant over $1M, Purdue University
- 2009 Accolade Award of Merit in the Live Television Events Category, zipTrips
- 2009 Sunrise Award, Office of the Vice President for Research, Purdue University
- 2005 Seeds of Excellence Award for grant over $1M, Purdue University
- 1996 Group Honor Award of Excellence, United States Department of Agriculture, Safe Food for the Hungry
- 1995 Team Extension Award, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Safe Food for the Hungry