Russell Evans, Ph.D., Named Dean of the UCO College of Business
Oct. 2, 2025
Russell Evans, Ph.D., has been named the dean of the UCO College of Business, effective Oct. 1, 2025. Evans assumed the role as an interim in July and has already had a substantial and positive impact on the college.
“Dr. Evans is one of the most trusted economists in the state of Oklahoma. Throughout his career, public officials, corporate leaders and education administrators have leaned on him for analysis, advice and economic forecasting," said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
"Dr. Evans will provide trusted leadership and innovation to the University of Central Oklahoma College of Business. Our faculty and students will benefit from his extensive experience and vast network of industry leaders as the university strives to own workforce development in Oklahoma.”
Evans served Central as a visiting faculty member in the Department of Information Systems and Management last academic year. He previously served as professor of economics and executive director of the Steven C. Agee Economic Research and Policy Institute at Oklahoma City University, and more recently as interim dean of the Meinders School of Business at the same institution. Prior to his time at Oklahoma City University, he enjoyed faculty and staff appointments at the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University.
Evans earned a Bachelor of Science and Ph.D. in Economics from Oklahoma State University. He works closely with state, local, tribal and business leaders using the tools of economics and analytics to inform strategic decisions. He currently works with the City of Oklahoma City, Edmond, the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Cherokee Nation, Muscogee Nation and others to provide regional economic analysis, fiscal forecasts and economic impact assessments. He is highly regarded both as an analyst and a communicator, giving dozens of speeches annually with a reputation for making complex arguments easy to appreciate. His work is regularly cited in both local and regional media markets.
Evans is a member of the National Association for Business Economics and American Economic Association. He actively serves in the community as Trustee of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and chair of the foundation's investment committee.
The UCO College of Business prepares students to become productive, creative, ethical and engaged business leaders in service to the Oklahoma City metropolitan community.
For more information about the UCO College of Business, visit uco.edu/business.
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Cutline: Russell Evans, pictured, Ph.D., has been named the dean of the UCO College of Business, effective Oct. 1, 2025. Evans assumed the role of interim dean in July and has already had a substantial and positive impact on the college.
Devan Wielgos