Planning & Evaluation Core

The Planning & Evaluation Core (P&E Core) of the Partnership for the Advancement of Cancer Research between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) coordinates critical functions necessary for the determination of the impact and effectiveness of Partnership activities in the attainment of its goals and objectives. P&E Core Leads, Dr. Rachel Boren at NMSU and Dr. Julian Simon at Fred Hutch have extensive expertise in program evaluation methodologies. Dr. Boren is Director of the Southwest Outreach Academic Research (SOAR) Evaluation and Policy Center at New Mexico State University and has been an evaluator for over 10 years. She has previously worked as an evaluator for the Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) based at the University of Washington. Fred Hutch is affiliated with the University of Washington and participates in the ITHS thus giving Dr. Boren a unique familiarity with both institutions. Dr. Simon has served as Research Project and Core Lead as well currently serving as MPI for the Partnership. His nearly 20-year involvement with the Partnership gives him a historical perspective on the culture of the collaboration. The five Specific Aims of the P&E Core are to: 1. Provide assessment tools to evaluate, track and report on progress in all aspects of the Partnership; 2. Release Requests for Applications for new pilot and full Research Projects and conduct rigorous review of proposals; 3. Engage community members and community advisory boards to evaluate impact of the Partnership on advancing regional health; 4. Convene IAC and PSC to review progress of Cores and Research Projects, and facilitate communication between the advisory bodies, NCI and Core and Project Leads, and; 5. Evaluate the implementation and impact of the Guiding Principles (described in detail in Overall). New Research Projects will be solicited, evaluated, and implemented through the P&E Core. Current Research Projects and Cores will be evaluated and if necessary revised in consultation with the Internal Advisory Committee, the Program Steering Committee and NCI Program Staff. Rigorous review of the effectiveness of projects and activities will enable progress to meeting the Partnership’s goal of advancing health in the communities served.