Kala Ison serves as the Project Manager for the Children, Families, and Communities portfolio at the Center for Evaluation Research. She has devoted her career to enhancing the quality of care and improving access to social services. Through her extensive professional networks, she has identified critical resource gaps and effectively expanded services to underserved communities.
Research Interests
- Maternal and Child Health
- Coordinated School Health
- Healthy Equity
- Prison Reform: Reducing Recidivism
Biography
Kala Ison is a dedicated evaluation and public health professional with a strong academic background and over eight years of experience in research, evaluation, and community outreach. She holds a Master of Science in Community Health as well as a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science, both from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and currently pursuing a Master of Science in Evaluation Methodology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Additionally, she earned a Certificate in Health Data Analytics from East Tennessee State University, equipping her with advanced quantitative and analytical skills. Currently serving as a Project Manager at the Center for Research Evaluation at the University of Mississippi, Kala collaborates with diverse stakeholders to develop robust project frameworks, ensure timely execution, and conduct in-depth qualitative assessments.
Education
M.S. Physical Activity/Exercise, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2017)