ALUMNI INTERVIEWS

to three separate contact attempts; and the final person responded after the interviews ended.

Interviews were approximately 30 to 60 minutes. All interviews were led by trained CRESP evaluation team members and recorded. Alumni were assured of their confidentiality and encouraged to provide both positive and negative feedback. Participants received a $25 Amazon gift card in acknowledgment of their participation. The UD Institutional Review Board approved all human subjects-related aspects of the process, including the content and process for communication as well as the administration of the interview protocol.

The goal of the interview was to receive feedback about the 4.0 fellowship process from alumni whose ventures were continuing as well as those whose ventures did not continue. Interview questions addressed topics such as: ● venture background and goals, ● how 4.0 supported the venture, ● strengths and areas of improvement for 4.0, and, ● advice for 4.0.

While interviews did not include specific questions or prompts about equity, anti-racism, or diversity, these major themes emerged organically. A hybrid approach to analysis using both inductive and deductive methods was used, and all data were examined using Dedoose qualitative analysis software.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SPECIFIC PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS AND ALUMNI INTERVIEWS

In order to better understand the nature of the early childhood investments, a “deep dive” was undertaken to both examine existing secondary data and then, to contact alumni to interview them about their early childhood work. The process began with the database of funded ventures kept by 4.0.