Robert W. (Bob) Evans

President & CEO

Overview

What does it take to be an effective leader? It begins with a vision… When Bob Evans created The Evans Consulting Group, Inc. (ECG) in 1995, he envisioned a company built on the simple idea of offering affordable, customized, financial aid consulting services to colleges and universities. From just a handful of clients and employees, Bob built a small corporate enterprise with a big reach and impressive results. Today, he provides leadership to a 100 percent mobile work staff, setting the overall vision and guiding the strategic direction for the company.

One of the hallmarks of Bob’s success is his active role in client engagements. His nearly 40 years of student financial aid experience—including management roles at several major universities, the U.S. Department of Education, and KPMG Peat Marwick—have made him a recognized expert in the field. It is no wonder schools and other industry stakeholders seek his expertise and counsel.

Key Experience and Skills

Campus Experience

Earlier in his career, Bob held financial aid management positions at Penn State University, Kansas State University, and Oglethorpe University. After becoming president & CEO of ECG, he developed and directed several high-profile client engagements, including:

The California Institute of Technology – Supervising the overall implementation and deployment of an Oracle-based student information system (SIS) and supporting the institution’s role as a beta-partner in the software development.

The University of Texas at San Antonio – Conducting a comprehensive redesign of the financial aid office system and procedures, including defining function and system requirements for an integrated SIS.

The Johns Hopkins University – Overseeing project management for implementation of the SunGard SCT Matrix SIS for all eight academic divisions of the university.

Most recently, Bob led a large-scale interim management engagement over an extended period for a prominent online university.

Other Management Experience

In addition to his campus experience, Bob was a senior manager and practice leader for the student services practice at KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP in Washington, DC, where he designed the firm’s services for institutional certification and evaluation.

He was also a director in the division of policy development for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. During his tenure at the Department, Bob was one of three staff members on the Federal Direct Loan Task Force to coordinate the requirements definition and implementation plan for the Direct Loan software.

Through these experiences, Bob has honed a keen ability to direct comprehensive operational reviews, identify solutions for improved data management, and help clients integrate their financial aid programs with enrollment and retention goals.

Additional Accomplishments

Bob is a past president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and a frequent speaker at professional association meetings.

Publications

“Implementing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard,” NASFAA Journal of Student Financial Aid
“Validation Study,” NASFAA Journal of Student Financial Aid
“Quality Control at Penn State,” Student Aid Transcript, The Magazine of NASFAA

Education

MS in Student Personnel Administration for Higher Education, Emporia State University
BA in Political Science and Communications, Ottawa University