• Brinda Kuhn, Chief Executive Officer
Through her professional and academic experience, Ms. Kuhn has developed an objective and thorough evaluation strategy, as well as a well-respected reputation in South Dakota Native and non-Native educational communities. Ms. Kuhn has over twenty-eight years of experience in education and technology, ten years experience as a GEAR UP evaluator, and holds a Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Geo-cultural education. Ms. Kuhn has served as the lead external evaluator for the South Dakota State GEAR UP grant, the Fairmont State University GEAR UP grant, the South Dakota College Access Challenge grant, the Oglala Lakota College STEEP program, and the Oglala Lakota College TCUP II program. Prior to these positions, she acted as a Senior Program Officer at the Academy for Educational Development (AED) in Washington, DC (2006-2007) and data and accountability specialist for the Fairmont State GEAR UP program (2000-2006).
• Angela Sam, Evaluation Program Specialist
Ms. Sam brings a strong track record to the team in personnel management (including staff and program assessment), working with Tribal government, and building collaborative relationships with community members on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Ms. Sam is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration. Most recently, Ms. Sam served as professional research assistant and field office director for the University of Colorado at Denver’s Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Health Programs (CAIANH, formerly American Indian and Alaska Native Programs, AIANP). Ms. Sam has also served as adjunct faculty member at Oglala Lakota College, where she provided instruction to college level and early entry students. Currently, Ms. Sam is an Oglala Sioux Tribe Research Review Board Member and is on the HIV/ STD Native American Advisory Committee to the State of South Dakota’s Department of Health.
• Christopher Peters, Researcher
Mr. Peters brings strong research, writing, and editing skills to the team, and ensures the preparation of high quality and accurate documents. Mr. Peters holds a Master of Arts degree in American Cultural History and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and has provided research, writing, and editing services for a number of current grant programs operating both in South Dakota and West Virginia. Mr. Peters’ is knowledgeable and experienced in the preparation of evaluation materials, such as formative and summative evaluations, as well as federal grant reporting documents. Mr. Peters is also well versed in the preparation of national grant program applications, and has focused primarily on programs serving Native American students in South Dakota. Mr. Peters is adept at both synthesizing large amounts of academic and oftentimes theoretical material into a succinct and accessible form, and collaborating with, and collecting information from, stakeholders.
• Melita York, Data Collection Coordinator
Ms. York brings to the team strong and diverse experience from the public sector in financial management, case management, and administrative support. Ms. York is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and holds an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting, an Associate of Arts degree in Business, and an Associate of Arts degree in Tribal Management. Ms. York has served as finance officer for the City of Martin, SD, where she oversaw an extensive number of services, including payroll, financial statements, insurance policies for all City owned properties and interests, payroll deductions, building permits, malt beverage and liquor licenses, billing for services incurred, and billing for leased property. Ms. York also brings experience in the social services field, having served as secretary for the State of South Dakota Department of Social Services in Martin, SD. Ms. York’s ability to successfully manage personnel, serve a culturally diverse clientele, and responsibly and accurately handle data are strong assets to BC Kuhn Evaluation, LLC.
• Kristie Moore, Field Researcher
Ms. Moore brings years of teaching experience to the team, and possesses strong entrepreneurial/ business management, sales, and marketing skills. Ms. Moore holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science, and brings international experience having completed a portion of her studies in both England and Germany. Most recently, Ms. Moore was owner of the Pierre Street Dance Studio, as well as primary teacher of youth and adult programs that fostered growth in the art of dance. As a testament to Ms. Moore’s success, participation in her studio grew from 60 to 192 students between 2004 and 2009. Ms. Moore has also served as inside account manager/ inside sales representative for Ernst & Young Technologies, and substitute teacher for the Lead-Deadwood School District. Throughout her career, Ms. Moore has actively contributed to her community, having served as classroom volunteer at the Austin Elementary School in Vermillion, SD and United Way fundraiser volunteer.
