MNEA History

Before the Minnesota Evaluation Association became a 501c6 in 2005, it was a mailing list. It was an informal evaluation and research group where people would meet quarterly, usually for education and networking events. These events were often hosted at the old Wilder Research building, where Wilder offered space and paid for snacks and refreshments.

Even before the mailing list, the Minnesota evaluation community had been gathering since the 1970’s. In 1978, there was a conference hosted by Wilder and staff at the University of Minnesota who would eventually start the Humphrey School. This conference was the beginning of bringing together Minnesota evaluators!

In the 1990’s, MNEA organizers worked at Wilder Research and Ramsey County, and there was still a close relationship with the evaluation and research professors at the University of Minnesota, which finally had an Evaluation Studies department.

In 1996, the Minnesota Evaluation Studies Institute (MESI) was formed, housed within the University of Minnesota, and led by Jean King. MESI hosted an annual Spring Training which was like a week-long conference. The MNEA community would routinely collaborate with MESI’s programming and would support it by promoting events, offering financial assistance, and more (King, 2022).

“Over the years many Evaluation Studies students served as student representatives on the Board, and many MESI participants (former students and trainers) eventually held leadership roles in MNEA, creating a natural and ongoing relationship.”

- Jean King
From “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ woman: Anatomy and autopsy of an evaluation institute,” pg. 13.

Starting in 2003, a small group of engaged members decided to turn this community into a more formal entity. In 2004, MNEA became an American Evaluation Association affiliate, and in 2005 MNEA officially launched as a 501c6 and formally voted in their bylaws. The first presidents wanted MNEA to be accessible, which is why they kept the membership dues low ($25/year) for an individual professional membership. It stayed at that price until 2023, in which the dues increased to $35/year.

Beginning in 2020, as a reaction to the COVID-10 Pandemic, MNEA offered a free membership tier. In 2023, the COVID-19 membership tier was replaced with a Community-Funded membership. Since MNEA’s inception, we have had over 1,000 members come in and out of its doors. In December 2024, MNEA had over 300 active members.

Also in 2020, board members decided it was time to update MNEA’s mission, vision, and values, to reflect our commitment to equity and social justice. After 3 years, the board put the new mission, vision, and values drafts up for a vote, and the membership approved them in 2024.

For almost 20 years (arguably longer!), MNEA has hosted hundreds of events. In 2021, Molly C. O’Connor started the popular MNEA series: Making Connections, which are informal gatherings focused on community building. In 2023, MNEA hosted its first conference titled Evaluation (UN)Filtered: An (UN)Conference with over a 100 attendees. The MNEA board decided to host a conference every 2 years.

To see the list of individuals who have been a part of MNEA, check out this spreadsheet! If you or someone you know should be added to this list, please email info@mneval.org.

Also, if there is any MNEA history missing from this page, please contact us! We would love to talk to you.

Citations:

King, J. A. (2022). The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ woman: Anatomy and autopsy of an evaluation institute. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing.

What's Next? 

• Join or Renew your membership. Let's make more evaluation history together.
• Contact us! We're always interested in making connections. 
• See our other resources. And, get to know our mission, vision, and values.