Member Focus: Evan Gallagher

You've no doubt seen him co-working on the second floor, so this month we're excited to peek into his workday and feature Richmond member Evan Gallagher.

Give us a little bit about your background

I’m a Richmond native who loves being involved in my community. With a disdain for sitting still, I enjoy new experiences and spending time with friends and family. I have built my career in the higher education space as an academic researcher, teacher, practitioner, student, and now consultant. Outside of work, I love finding any excuse to get outside, playing volleyball and pickleball, painting, riding my bike, and discovering new adventures every day.

What are you doing currently? And how did you get into this line of work?

I’m currently working to finalize my PhD at William & Mary, with a dissertation focusing on Higher Education Administration and an emphasis on university leadership and strategic planning. I also work at a data analytics consulting firm known as Ringer Sciences, where I am building and leading our Higher Education practice. In this role, I collaborate with universities to collect and interpret data from various stakeholder types to drive engagement and inform strategic recommendations for effectively crafting their strategic plans.

What excites you about this?

It may be cliché, but I’m at a point in my career where no two days are the same, and I absolutely love it. I get to utilize my experience and studies in higher education to help various colleges address challenges unique to their specific contexts. I learn about each school’s culture, students, traditions, and identity to equip universities with strategies for driving beneficial growth on campus, ultimately serving their students and stakeholders better.

tell us about your time at common House

I stumbled upon Common House at the right time in my academic career. I was working full time, and in hours of class at night. There would be days I was anchored to my desk at home from sun-up to sun-down. Working remote in both work and school, I began to feel so isolated, missing out on that sense of community and human interaction that I thrive on. The community at Common House welcomed me with open arms, and allowed me to continue my work in an environment that made me feel connected, seen, and valued by colleagues-turned-friends sharing the space.

I have made so many professional connections and great friends at Common House, that I now spend time with outside of the workday. I’ve been able to engage with other academics and practitioners in the Higher Ed space that have been monumental in my career and line of work, and I have made incredible friends that I couldn’t imagine life without now. Common House, and the variety of professional and social events, was instrumental in providing the space and community for connections to thrive in.