• 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 GoTeach South Dakota program, South Dakota GEAR UP State grant, Fairmont State University GEAR UP partnership grant, South Dakota College Access Challenge Grant, Woonspe Tiospaye program, Wakan Gli program, Oglala Lakota College Wayawawicakiya Waste STEM Teachers of Excellence Education (STEEP) program, and Oglala Lakota College Creating Synergy in Science and Education (CSSE)/Yuowanca 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 proven track record 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, editing, and creative thinking 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.
• Emile Osborn, Editor and Graphic Designer
Mr. Osborn brings a solid and varied skill-set to the team, providing the company with writing, editing, research, and graphic and web design services. Mr. Osborn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. Most recently, Mr. Osborn served as a research assistant and graphic designer for the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS), where he wrote and edited grant proposals, literature reviews, and marketing materials; researched and collected data on locally relevant educational and cultural topics; and provided design and production services for the organization’s educational products, promotional materials, and website. Previously, Mr. Osborn served as a research assistant and exhibition graphics contractor for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, where he assisted both the Curatorial Department and exhibit designers with the development and preparation of content for the Our Universes gallery on the Mall.
• 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 dependability and capacity to successfully manage personnel, serve a culturally diverse clientele, and responsibly and accurately handle data are strong assets to BC Kuhn Evaluation, LLC.
• Ganeva VanVleck, Researcher and Writer
Ms. VanVleck brings excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills to the team, and is articulate, detail oriented, and possesses a strong work ethic. Ms. VanVleck holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development. Her research is focusing on attachment disorders and trauma related issues in children and adolescents. Ms. VanVleck has actively worked in her community, having served as a Foster Parent Support Specialist at the Messengers Emergency Foster Home/Children’s Home Society of the Black Hills, and childcare and after-school program assistant at the Recreation and Aquatics Center of the City of Spearfish.
