Peabody Profile - Scot Evans

Living out a Belief in Community Involvement

Scot Evans had no plans to return to graduate school after finishing his master's degree. He was working in youth development and family counseling through the Oasis Center in Nashville when collaborative work brought him into contact with Professor Bob Newbrough. Evans had been working from a position that, "young people and their families are not objects to be fixed or just recipients of services, but rather partners and resources for personal and social change."

"I was lured back by the combination of my desire to learn how to better impact the systems that negatively affect the well-being of young people and this innovative and action-focused program."

After getting back into graduate studies, Evans says that "I have had tremendous support and encouragement from faculty on my pursuits." In addition to faculty input and aid in publications and professional conferences, Evans has noted that "there is an explicit intention in this organization to 'live out' those values we want to promote in the community as well as the acknowledgement that it is hard work and we have much work to do." As part of his studies, Evans continues to work with Oasis Center in addition to his coursework and research in CRA.

"This program, this department, and college has such a strong set of core values and commitment to democratic principles as well as a critical mass of talented people and the resources to make things happen that I may have a hard time matching this experience elsewhere."