William Evans, Ph.D.

Professor, Human Development and Family Studies Adolescent Development State Specialist, Nevada Cooperative Extension Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles 1990 M.A., California State University, Dominguez Hills B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara

Research:

My research interests include a variety of adolescent risk, resiliency, and developmental issues, however, I have specifically focused on youth violence and suicide for the past several years. I currently chair a multi-university research committee on Resilience to Adolescent Violence and am a member of the National Advisory Committee for the CDC Suicide Prevention Center. As the Adolescent Development State Specialist for Nevada Cooperative Extension, I routinely assess the educational needs of the state using quantitative and qualitative methods and provide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs that address critical youth needs. In this role, I have provided leadership or was an active team member for numerous community needs assessment and asset mapping projects statewide. I also have been involved throughout the state in the development of a number of education programs focused on youth and their families that have emphasized the enhancement of life skills for youth, the prevention of youth violence and suicide, and the reduction of risky behaviors and delinquency. In addition, I devote a large percentage of my professional time to the evaluation of community-based programs and have been the lead evaluator on numerous regional and statewide projects. I currently am the editor and facilitator of two federally funded projects to develop evaluation instruments and resources for youth related prevention programs. I also occasionally teach in my department. Recent topics have included Family Theories, Evaluation of Community-based Programs, and Research Methods.

Publication Activity:

Singletary, L., Smith, M., & Evans, W.P. (2005). An assessment of 4-H volunteer leader skills and implications for global 4-H program development. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 12(2), 35-42.

Christiansen, E., & Evans, W.P. (2005). Adolescent victimization: Testing models of resiliency by gender. Journal of Early Adolescence, 25(3), 298-316.

Evans, W.P., Owens, P., & Marsh, S. (2005). Locus of control, environmental factors, and adolescent suicide risk. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 22(3), 1-17.

Brown, R., Killian, E. & Evans, W.P. (2005). Problem gambling patterns in a sample of Las Vegas area detained youth. The Journal of Gambling Issues, 13(March).

Brown, R. & Evans, W.P. (2004). A collaborative community change model: Understanding and evaluating university extension professionals' role in community change. Journal of Extension.

Brown, R., Killian, E., & Evans, W.P. (2003). Familial functioning as a support system for adolescents' post-detention success. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 47, 529-541.

Albers, E., Santangelo, L., McKinney, G., Cavot, S., Rock, S., & Evans, W.P. (2003). A conceptual three-dimensional model for evaluating community-based substance abuse prevention programs. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 12(2), 1-11.

Killian, E., Brown, R., & Evans, W.P. (2002). What incarcerated youth say would help them succeed: Can Extension play a role? Journal of Extension.

Evans, W.P., Brown, R., & Killian, E. (2002). Decision-making and perceived post-detention success among incarcerated youth. Crime and Delinquency, 48(4), 553-567.

Singletary, L., Smith, M., Evans, W.P. (2002). Can 4-H Help Schools and Parents Fill a Gap? Rural Educator, Winter Edition, Volume 23, #2.

Brown, R. & Evans, W. (2002). Extra-curricular activity and ethnicity: Creating greater school connection among diverse student populations. Urban Education, 37(1), 41-58.

Evans, W., Marte, R., Betts, S., & Silliman, B. (2001). Adolescent suicide risk and peer-related violent behaviors and victimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(12), 1330-1348.

Smith, M., Hill, G., Evans, W., & Bandera, M. (2000). Perspectives and issues related to violence in a rural school. The Rural Educator, 22,(1), 16-22.

Smith, M., Usinger-Lesquereux, J., & Evans, W.P. (1999). Success of Entry-level Offenders after Completion of a Court-ordered Intervention Program. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 43(3), 322-337.

Benedict, J., Evans, W.P., & Conger-Calder, J. (1999). An exploratory study of recreational drug use and nutrition-related behaviors and attitudes among adolescents. Journal of Drug Education, 29(2), 234-242.

Evans, W.P., Fitzgerald, C., Weigel, D., & Chvilicek, S., (1999). Are Rural Gang Members Similar to Their Urban Peers? Implications for Rural Communities. Youth and Society, 30(3), 267-282.

Contact Info:

You can e-mail Dr. Evans at evans@unr.nevada.edu