Dr. Evans spent 30 years in education, serving as a teacher, professor, and higher education leader, retiring in 2023 as the Interim Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago). Previously, she served as Dean, Director, Department Chair and Program Chair at various public universities across Illinois.
 

Andrea is a published scholar in educational leadership, policy, diversity and equity, and black women’s leadership. Prior to working in higher education, she was a high school science teacher and principal of an alternative high school in the Chicago area. In 2019, Dr. Evans was appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to serve a six-year term as a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
 

Andrea is a writer, speaker, teacher and creator of The Powerful Life Project-thought exercises, activities, and tools to help with self-transformation, self-actualization, and goal attainment. She uses her own personal story to mentor others and show how personal and professional success

comes through many trials, set-backs, challenges, and questionable decisions.

She lives in Chicago with her husband Dwayne. They have a blended family of five adult children, one son-in-law, and a dog, Deuce. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, watch sports, play golf, and spend time with family, including her five grandchildren.