The University of Arizona
Toggle navigation

Theresa LeGros, MA

Program Evaluator
Phone: 
(520) 626-8766
Email: 
drejza@arizona.edu
Contractors: 
Gila, Pinal
Focus Areas: 
Childhood
Theresa LeGros, MA's picture

I am a career evaluator with a passion for learning and living. My philosophical approach to science is rooted in some of the ideas percolating in physics: we can’t really define (or “know”) something without understanding how it interacts with all of the other somethings. In SNAP-Ed evaluation, this translates to: When you want to know if, how, or why people, organizations, and communities change, you need to explore how they interact. Common sense? Maybe. But many research and evaluation projects rely on an atomistic approach. 

That said, my evaluation interests include:

•     The study of complex adaptive systems like school and ECE systems

•     The creative use of mixed methods to evaluate multi-level and multi-layered interventions

•     Utilization-focused evaluation

My most cherished academic experiences have been researching primate ecology and conservation in Madagascar as an undergraduate, the deep learning and discovery that came with earning an MA in Biological Anthropology, and doctoral-level study in Public Health that gave me better insight into the intersection of biological and human socioeconomic systems. 

I grew up in New York state, but after some formative years of travel, I settled down in the Sonoran Desert where I have lived for most of my adult life. My family is now entering a new chapter of life filled with hard work, lots of animals and plants, hiccups aplenty, and sunshine as we build an off-grid place to call home in Cochise County.

Curriculum Vitae

PDF icon Theresa LeGros CV

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications and Abstracts

  1. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Goodman G, Orzech K, Holmes E. A Systems Approach Helps Explain Significant Improvements in Local Wellness Policies among SNAP-Ed-Supported School Districts. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2020; 52(8): 766-774.
  2. Jacobs L, Orzech K, Goodman G, LeGros T, Martinez SH. Evaluating Factors for Success in Community Coalitions. Journal of Extension, 2020;58(1).
  3. LeGros T, Jones B, Jacobs L, Orzech K, Torbert K, Martinez SH. A Case Study of a New State Model for Assessing Local Wellness Policies. Journal of School Health, 2019 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12728.
  4. LeGros, T, Hartz, V, Jacobs, L. (2016) Reliability of a Kid's Activity and Nutrition Questionnaire for School-Based SNAP-Ed Interventions as Part of a Tiered Development Process. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2016.10.003.
  5. LeGros, T, Amerongen, H, Cooley, J, and Schloss E. (2015) Using Learning Theory, Interprofessional Facilitation Competencies and Behavioral Indicators to Evaluate Facilitator Training. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 29(6): 596-602. doi: 10.3109/13561820.2015.1040874
  6. Amerongen, H, Legros, T, Cooley, J, Schloss, E, and Theodorou, A. (2015) Constructive Contact: Design of a Successful Introductory Interprofessional Education Experience. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 7, 565-574. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2015.06.013
  7. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Goodman G, Orzech K. Changes in school health policy, systems, and environments among SNAP-Ed supported schools with and without Healthy Schools Program participation. Oral presentation at: APHA 2020 Annual Meeting & Expo; October 24-28; Virtual Conference.
  8. LeGros T (co-presenter). Connecting Agriculture and Population Health—Demonstrating Success, Building Support and Helping to Reduce Our Country’s Health Disparities through the Farm Bill and SNAP-Ed. Oral presentation at: Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA) Annual Conference; February 3-6, 2020; Arlington, VA.
  9. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Orzech K, Guterman C. Measuring SNAP-Ed Settings-Level Indicators Across Time Using Validated Tools. Poster presented at: Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA) Annual Conference; February 3-6, 2020; Arlington, VA.
  10. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Orzech K, Goodman G, Holmes E. A Statewide Local Wellness Policy Assessment Finds Marked Improvements among SNAP-Ed-Supported School Districts. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2019; 51: 7S.
  11. Bautista T, LeGros T, Farrell VA, McCullough L, Misner S. The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement Increased Salad Bar Usage in Middle Schools. Poster presented at: 10th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference; July 15 - 18, 2019; Anaheim, California.
  12. Goodman G, LeGros T, Jacobs L, Orzech K. Youth Physical Activity Outcomes Improve after School-based SNAP-Ed Interventions. Poster presented at: 10th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference; July 15 - 18, 2019; Anaheim, California.
  13. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Jones B, Orzech K, Lang R. Implementation of school health initiatives is linked to Healthy Schools Program participation and higher employment counties in Arizona. Poster presented at: APHA 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo; November 10 -14; San Diego, CA.
  14. Jacobs L, Orzech K, Martinez S, LeGros T. Communication Strategies for Complex Public Health Programs to Enhance Use of Findings and Sustainability: A SNAP-Ed Case Study. Poster presented at: APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo; November 4-8, 2017; Atlanta, GA.
  15. McCullough L, Farrell VA, LeGros T, Orzech K, Armstrong Florian T, Whitmer E, Dixon D, Colville C, Misner S. The Usefulness of the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT) in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) in Arizona. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2017; 49(7): S130-S131.
  16. McCullough, L, Farrell, VA, Hartz, V, LeGros, T, Armstrong-Florian, T, Martinez, C, Whitmer, E, Jacobs, L, Misner, S. Positive Results of Single Lessons With Adult Learners after Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed). Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Poster, July 30 - August 2, 2016.
  17. LeGros T. Scaling Up Evaluation of Local School Wellness Policies to Encourage Use of Findings. Roundtable presented at:  9th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference; May 30 – June 1, 2017; San Diego, CA.
  18. LeGros T, Jacobs L, Orzech K, Veilleux N. A Statewide Assessment of Obesity Prevention Needs and Readiness among Early Childhood Education Sites. Poster presented at:  9th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference; May 30 – June 1, 2017; San Diego, CA.
  19. Jacobs, L,LeGros, T, McCullough, L, Farrell VA, Misner S. Developing an Integrated Program Design for SNAP-Ed Programming & Evaluation. 8th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference, COLLECTIVE IMPACT: Developing a Shared Vision to Achieve Greater Success, Poster, June 30, 2015.
  20. LeGros, T, Farrell, VA, Hartz,V, Jacobs, L, Armstrong Florian,T, Misner, S. Nutrition and Physical Activity Education among SNAP-Ed Eligible Middle School Students Reveals Disconnect between Knowledge and Behavior. Experimental Biology 2015 Conference, Oral Presentation, March 30, 2015.

© 2023, The University of Arizona and AZ Health Zone, all rights reserved. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and operates in accordance with a nondescrimination policy.