Nicole M.G. Maccalla, PhD

  • Part-Time Senior Lecturer

Education

PhD, Education

Expertise

  • Research • Evaluation
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Nicole M.G. Maccalla PhD

Contact Information

Websites and Social Media

Bio

Nicky Maccalla lives in the Los Angeles area of California with her children and pets. She holds a PhD (2014) and MA (2006) in Education from UCLA, and a BA (2002) in Economics & Liberal Studies from Saint Mary’s College of California. Maccalla is currently employed as a Senior Lecturer for the University of Southern California (USC) and as a Lead Investigator for the Coordination and Evaluation Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Enhance Diversity Study. She is also a consultant for private industry. She specializes in Evaluation Capacity Building (ECB) and the evaluation of K–16 programs. She is committed to the use of Context-Sensitive Evaluation, Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE), Participatory Evaluation, Theory-Based Evaluation, Culturally Response Evaluation (CRE) and collaborative group facilitation in the evaluation of programs and initiatives. The best part of her job is using inquiry to support remarkable organizations in achieving their mission and vision. She finds the organizational capacity building that takes place during the inquiry process equally meaningful to the actual findings of an evaluation. Quality and timely data prove to be powerful drivers of decision-making for improvement and expansion. Her research interests include underrepresentation in higher education; achieving diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations; evaluation for organizational development; meaningful measures of teaching effectiveness and scale development (e.g. mentor competency, resistant identity, self-efficacy as faculty change agent for diversity). Maccalla actively engages in dissemination efforts and making her work accessible. 

As a multi-racial, first-generation college student, born and raised in Southern California, Maccalla understands the importance of opportunity and the excitement and challenges that come along with navigating various cultural, educational and professional spaces. Her life’s mission is to give back. Whether it be in the classroom, with a mentee or engaging with an organization, she is fulfilled when helping others reach their mission/vision. She is committed to supporting organizations aimed at social betterment and social justice. She is grateful to all the friends, family, colleagues and mentors that have helped her become the person she is today. 

Courses Taught

EDUC 421 – Global Issues in Education

EDUC 422 – Education for Social Change

EDUC 426 – Educational Inquiry

EDUC 532 – Inquiry I: Introduction to Research Methodology

EDUC 536 – Inquiry II: Qualitative/Interpretive Research Methods

EDUC 536 – Inquiry II: Quantitative/Inferential Research Methods using SPSS

EDUC 570 – Research Methods and Data Analysis

EDUC 652 – Inquiry III: Quant/Qual Data Analysis and Reporting

EDUC 700 – Research & Practice in the Preparation of Teachers for Diverse Populations

EDUC 714 – Measurement & Evaluation for Decision-Making

EDUC 790 – Research

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

Please see CV for publications and Academic, Research, and Evaluation experience. 

Certifications

Adaptive Schools: Center for Adaptive Schools: Building Capacities for School Improvement, Foundational Seminars, Los Angeles, CA, 2014

Classroom Observer: Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD): Classroom Observation Certification Training, Los Angeles, CA, 2011

Cognitive Coach: Center for Cognitive Coaching, Highlands Ranch, CO, 2010