Meghan Ecker-Lyster

Meghan Ecker-Lyster is the Director of the Research, Evaluation & Dissemination Department within the Center for Educational Opportunity Programs at the University of Kansas. She has more than 10 years of experience conducting applied research and program evaluations focused on improving educational opportunities and outcomes.

In her current role, Dr. Ecker-Lyster leads a team of evaluation researchers and oversees a portfolio of approximately 15 evaluation projects. Her work includes evaluations of federally funded initiatives supported by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and National Science Foundation. Her work focuses on postsecondary access and success, K–12 education, educator professional development, and STEM education.

Dr. Ecker-Lyster has extensive experience designing and implementing mixed-methods evaluations, including quasi-experimental design (QED) studies and qualitative investigations. Her work emphasizes producing actionable results that inform program improvement, demonstrate effectiveness, and support evidence-based decision-making. She is a What Works Clearinghouse certified reviewer in Group Designs Standards, reflecting her expertise in rigorous research methodologies. Dr. Ecker-Lyster also serves as an instructor in the Educational Psychology Department at the University of Kansas.