149: Developing and Sustaining Partnerships in Evaluation Practice: Perspectives from a University-Based Center

Developing and sustaining strong partnerships is a cornerstone of effective evaluation practice. University-based evaluation centers are uniquely positioned to bridge research, outreach, and applied evaluation, supporting diverse stakeholders through responsive and evidence-based collaboration. This panel features evaluation specialists from the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Division of Extension, who will share practical insights from decades of experience conducting evaluations in the environmental, agricultural, and natural resource sectors. Panelists will explore strategies for building and maintaining long-term relationships with community organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic partners. Through real-world case examples, they will discuss challenges, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to partner-centered evaluation. Attendees will gain actionable tools to strengthen their own partnership-building efforts. The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A to promote shared learning among participants.