In an email to faculty and staff on May 12, Chancellor Daniel Little described Evans as an integral part of the campus's senior officers/deans leadership group for nearly eight years, noting that Evans has been involved in most significant issues addressed by the senior leadership of the campus.
"He has a thorough understanding of the University's mission, a passion for the campus and strong relationships with colleagues in Ann Arbor," Little said in the email. "During his time at UM-Dearborn, Jeff has proven his sound leadership skills and ability to develop strategic plans that help the University meet its goals. Through his work as the director of human resources, Jeff has developed a deep knowledge of all of the roles of the departments within Business Affairs. Jeff will use this knowledge, his relationships across campus and previous leadership experience from Northwest Airlines as he moves into the role of vice chancellor for business affairs."
Evans' many accomplishments include developing a business plan for the Fairlane Center 2011 transition, which is estimated to save the University more than $300,000 per year, and his effectiveness in building up a human resources organization on the Dearborn campus that is recognized as an example of best practice in the U-M system.
Evans joined UM-Dearborn in 2003 after serving as director of human resources for Northwest Airlines Detroit Ground Operations, the carrier's largest station operation. He began working for Northwest in 1996, and held a number of human resources positions at both the corporate headquarters as well as the Michigan regional office.
Previously he worked in human resources for Hilton Hotels in Chicago and Minneapolis. Evans earned a bachelor's degree in employment relations at Michigan State University and an MBA from the U-M Ross School of Business.
