About Lara Smith

Co-Founder, IEX | External Evaluator | Strategic Grant Developer and Writer | Federal Funding Expert

Lara Smith is a nationally respected evaluation expert who brings nearly two decades of experience in the design, implementation, oversight, and external evaluation of higher education and workforce development grants. She specializes in helping community colleges, federal grant recipients, and technical education programs translate complex evaluation requirements into practical, actionable insights that improve student outcomes and strengthen institutional performance.

Lara has served as an external evaluator, internal evaluator, project director, and Co-PI on numerous NSF and U.S. Department of Education grants. Her evaluation approach blends qualitative and quantitative data, logic models, stakeholder feedback, implementation science, and continuous improvement principles. In 2023, she earned a Master of Science in Measurement and Evaluation from American University—as part of the program’s inaugural cohort in the first graduate program of its kind in the nation. She also holds Bronze Certification in Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels Evaluation Methodology (2013).

Lara’s evaluation work is rooted in clarity, collaboration, and accountability. She designs systems that help projects engage stakeholders, measure what matters, and demonstrate meaningful impact. From designing surveys and analyzing trends, to producing polished final reports, Lara helps colleges and grant-funded teams use data to make informed decisions—not just fulfill reporting requirements. Since 2009, Lara has served as a peer reviewer for National Science Foundation programs including ATE, HSI, and S-STEM. In 2018, she was named an inaugural member of the NSF College of Reviewers for Undergraduate Education, affirming her expertise in evaluating federally funded programs and proposals.

She has developed and written dozens of successful grant applications, and has annually overseen more than $42 million in active grant funding. Lara brings a real-world understanding of pre- and post-award realities, emphasizing the importance of data for grant success, sustainability, and renewal.

Whether you’re launching a new initiative, fulfilling grant requirements, or seeking insights to improve retention and completion, Lara provides:

Logic model and evaluation plan development

Formative and summative evaluation services

Stakeholder interviews, surveys, and data analysis

Final reports aligned to funder requirements (NSF, Department of Education, Title V, etc.)

Action-oriented recommendations and collaborative feedback loops

Lara has evaluated grant programs across multiple domains, including STEM pathways, curriculum development, guided pathways, student services, and workforce-aligned learning. She is known for her ability to synthesize data and findings into clear, actionable reports that support ongoing program improvement and grant accountability.

In addition to evaluation, Lara offers strategic grant development and proposal writing services. With 17+ years in pre- and post-award grant roles—including Grants Department Manager and District Director of Grants—she supports colleges in

Writing competitive proposals for the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, and federal funders

Aligning funding opportunities to institutional goals

Preparing logic models and evaluation sections

Navigating the post-award lifecycle and compliance

Lara’s leadership has helped institutions secure millions in funding—including a perfect score on a Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant proposal.

Lara earned a Master of Science degree in Measurement and Evaluation from American University—as part of the program’s inaugural cohort in the first graduate program of its kind in the nation. She also holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Global Business from Arizona State University and an Associate of Arts degree from Glendale Community College, where she began her education as a low-income, first-generation community college student receiving Pell Grants. This lived experience fuels her deep commitment to improving access, persistence, and success for students in community colleges nationwide.

“The Critical Issues and Best Practices Forum”

“ATE Resources for Creating a Successful Dissemination Plan to Achieve Your Broader Impact Goals”

"What You Should Expect from Your Evaluator: Promising Practical Practices”

“National Science Foundation Forum on Technological Education”

“How to Find and Apply for Grant Funding” GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ

“Grants 101” Maricopa County Community College District, Phoenix, AZ

L. Smith, "What Grant Writers Need to Know about Evaluation" [EvaluATE Blog post].

L. Smith, “What Grant Writers Need to Know about Evaluation,” EvaluATE Conduit

L. Smith, M. Patton, “Advanced Technological Education Centers Build Career Pathways with Industry and Education Partners” National Career Pathways Network Connections

High Impact Technology Exchange Conferences (HI-TEC) 

© Higher Ed: Impact & Evaluation Experts (IEX) 2025