Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2023

The University of Evansville (UE) has announced the hiring of five full-time employees including a director to lead the Evansville Promise Neighborhood team. In March, UE announced the receipt of a $30 million federal grant program through the United States Department of Education (DOE) that will establish the Evansville's Promise Neighborhood (EPN). UE was part of a new cohort founded this year and one of only three Neighborhoods in the nation to be awarded in 2023.

In recent months, UE's Center for Innovation & Change, where the Promise employees will be housed, together with the Promise Neighborhood partners, dedicated significant efforts to procuring applications and conducting interviews for potential candidates. UE is delighted to extend a warm welcome to these new additions who have joined our family.

"We are confident that these new team members will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission and making a meaningful difference in the lives of our community," said UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. "Their expertise and passion for community development will greatly contribute to the success of the Evansville Promise Neighborhood. I'm looking forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our community, fostering opportunities for education, growth, and prosperity."

Director - Derek McKillop

McKillop is the immediate past Director of Community Learning Centers for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. He brings a wide range of knowledge on how to leverage federal grant opportunities for the youth, how to manage resources in a way that builds capacity, and how to lead by empowering people he serves. McKillop has been a core team member on several EPN applications. He received his bachelor's degree in Business from University of Strathclyde in Scotland, with graduate training from Harvard in building partnerships for equity, justice, and student success.

Program Coordinator - Lisa Allen

Allen joins us with a wealth of experience and a service-oriented mindset. Previously serving as an Employment Specialist for Work One Southwest in Evansville, Allen's well-connected nature and empathetic approach will be instrumental in coordinating programs and managing calendars. She has been actively involved in various neighborhood organizations such as Head Start, Catholic Charities, Job Works, and Youth Build. She earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Southern Indiana.

Marketing Coordinator - Irais Ibarra

Ibarra just graduated from the University of Evansville with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She brings a great deal of experience in innovative marketing techniques as the former Chief Executive Officer of Embrace Marketing Agency, a student-run ChangeLab at UE. Embrace has worked with Jacobsville Advantage, Gayla Cakes, Foster Care in the U.S., and many other Promise Neighborhood organizations and partners. This work helped her develop a passion for serving nonprofits, and we're thrilled to keep one of UE's best and brightest right here in our community.

Data & Program Evaluation Manager - Dr. Stephanie Doneske

Dr. Doneske, a research scientist and PhD-trained chemical engineer, brings a unique blend of expertise to the team. Previously, she taught math in local schools in Houston and Evansville after working at a biotech start-up in Houston. Driven by a passion for community improvement and a deep love for learning, we are confident she will be an exceptional partner for our data team at UE and with Diehl Consulting.

Grant Accountant - Renee Heil

Heil, previously the Finance and Operations Senior Manager for Junior Achievement, joins us as the Grant Accountant. With her master's degree in Accountancy and proven ability to ask the right questions and develop effective solutions, she will be an invaluable asset in managing the funds necessary to complete the work of the Promise Neighborhood.

The Center for Innovation & Change will be working hard to onboard these team members through the next month. All employees are expected to begin by August 1.

The aim of the Promise Neighborhood funding is to assist children and youth who are growing up in Promise Neighborhoods, providing them with access to outstanding schools as well as robust family and community support systems. These resources will help prepare them to achieve academic excellence, make the transition to college, and, ultimately, embark on a successful career.

To learn more about the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, please visit evansville.edu/PromiseNeighborhood.

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