Partner/Chief Operating Officer
Visionary and Innovative Leader

Dr. Yvonne Umphrey brings to Evidence Based Education Solutions a wealth of experience and a distinguished career dedicated to fostering academic excellence, driving institutional growth, and securing significant funding to support educational initiatives. As a former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at a liberal arts institution, Dr. Umphrey served as a key member of the Executive Council and Chief Academic Officer. In this pivotal role, she expertly directed all facets of academic programs, policies, and processes, demonstrating a profound commitment to student success and faculty development.

Her accomplishments include serving as a Project Director for a 5-year, $1.4 million grant focused on enhancing teaching, research, and service within the Center for Academics, Research, Teaching, and Service. Dr. Umphrey also held crucial oversight for Southern Association of Schools and Colleges: Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reporting and lent her expertise as a peer evaluator for Academic Affairs with the SACSCOC. Her engagement with national leadership organizations is evident through her participation on the Board of the American Council of Education, Council of Fellows.

Dr. Umphrey’s extensive leadership experience extends to her tenure as a dean. Dr. Umphrey managed a significant and diverse team, ensuring the smooth and productive functioning of multiple units. Her adept leadership optimized workflows and resource allocation. Notably, she led successful accreditation or compliance processes, highlighting her ability to navigate complex regulatory requirements efficiently.  Furthermore, she served as the principal investigator for multiple projects funded by the Mellon Foundation, showcasing her ability to secure and manage substantial grants.

Her commitment to research and sponsored programs is evident in her role as Assistant Provost, Research and Sponsored Programs & Professor.  Dr. Umphrey directed administrative operations for the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Title III Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program. As the program administrator for a $7 million strategic initiative, she was directly responsible for overseeing activities to enhance organizational infrastructure efficiently. Her appointment as an internal evaluator for a $1 million collaborative project underscores her expertise in assessing project efficiency and effectiveness. Her strategic approach to partnering with internal teams and external consultants resulted in a significant increase in funding and resources, demonstrating a highly productive approach to organizational growth. Her strategic efforts led to a tripling of research funding through successful partnerships and proposal development.

Dr. Umphrey’s dedication to leadership development is highlighted by her selection as a Fellow of the American Council on Education (ACE). Umphrey spent her year of fellowship at North Carolina State University in the offices of the chancellor and provost. Her focused research was “Improving Quality with Diminishing Resources through Compact Planning,” directly addressing the critical need for efficiency and productivity within organizations facing resource constraints. Umphrey’s work in this prestigious executive leadership program was supported by the Bush Hewlett Foundation.

Dr. Umphrey’s extensive experience demonstrates a consistent track record of enhancing productivity, streamlining operations, and maximizing resource utilization within organizational settings. Her strategic leadership and proven ability to manage complex projects efficiently make her an invaluable asset to Evidence Based Education Solutions, enabling us to deliver effective and efficient solutions to our partners.