About Scott Cline:
Higher Education Leader and Nonprofit Strategy Consultant

I’ve been in your shoes.

Scott Cline poses for a photo outdoors, wearing a suit jacket and tie.

I launched Scott Cline Consulting because I’ve lived the challenges that colleges, universities, and nonprofits face every day.

My career in higher education spans more than two decades — in executive roles, managing cross-functional teams, and doing the on-the-ground daily work to keep an institution running effectively. I know how hard it can be to move the needle when systems feel stagnant and people are siloed.

So I decided to help institutions and organizations stop overthinking and start executing.

Today, I partner with leaders across the country who are ready to lead change. Some are reimagining their strategic plans. Others are building new teams or navigating career transitions. Some just need someone to help them get everybody pulling in the same direction. That’s what I do best.

I Work with Clients Who Want to Make Real Progress

I’m not here to deliver a 60-page plan that sits on a shelf. I focus on practical solutions, grounded in your reality — not theoretical models or abstract frameworks. My work is collaborative, human-centered, and rooted in deep listening.

Whether I’m facilitating a strategic planning process, coaching executive leadership, or leading a team retreat, I bring a candid, relational approach that builds trust and keeps us moving forward.

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A Career Built Inside the Work

I didn’t learn about higher education and nonprofit leadership from the outside — I’ve lived it. Before launching my consulting practice, I led teams and helped to drive institutional strategy across:

Technology and Operations

Auxiliary Services
…and more.

Enrollment Management
Financial Aid
Marketing

I’ve held leadership roles at California College of the Arts, Stanford University, and Chapman University, and I know firsthand how complex, political, and people-driven this work is.

Along the way, I’ve also been deeply engaged with education-focused nonprofits, including terms as president of both the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) and the California Association of Student FInancial Aid Administrators (CASFAA).

Nonprofit Leadership and Service

Served on the executive board for many years, including elected positions as CASFAA President and Vice President for Federal Issues.
I have also chaired numerous committees, including those focused on federal issues, technology, and state conferences, serving over 1,000 attendees annually.
Served on the task force representing a cross-section of higher education associations to develop principles and standards for clear and transparent financial aid offers. Over 660 institutions, serving more than 6.5 million students, have signed on to these principles.
Served on the board of NASFAA as theWestern Regional Representative and served on numerous committees and task forces, including Thought Force on Aligning State, Regional & National Efforts, Leadership and Legislative Conference Strategic Enrollment Planning Task Force and One Grant, One Loan Task Force.
Served as the primary negotiator for financial aid administrators with the U.S. Department of Education on the Title IV Loans Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, where we developed the REPAYE program.
The REPAYE program has helped millions of student loan borrowers better afford repayments and qualify for loan forgiveness.
Served on the executive board, including being elected to the role of both President and previously Vice President.
Lead the board through a strategc planning process and serving on the faculty of the management and leadership institute in addition to other task forces, regional conferences, and committee.
Served on numerous industry advisory boards, including organizations like Workday Student, College Board, and Inceptia.

Education

Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Administration
San Francisco State University
Dissertation: Impact of the Institutional Financial Aid Process on Students of Color

Master of Arts, Educational Leadership and Administration
Chapman University
Thesis: Governing in Decline

Bachelor of Arts, History and Political Science
Chapman University

Proof I Don’t Live on Zoom

In my offline hours, I try to make the most of life beyond the screen.

I live in San Francisco, where the hills double as training grounds. I’m a runner, a sometimes-mountaineer (yes, I climbed Mt. Shasta for fun), and a guy who probably flies a little too often for someone who also loves being home.

I’m a proud #GirlDad, which means I’ve mastered the art of kid logic, carpools, and cooking family dinners. I read a lot — books that challenge, inspire, or just help me make sense of the chaos that comes with leading and living. And I’m diabetic, which means I think about systems and feedback loops even when I’m not working.

You might also catch me saying something snarky on the internet. I like to think of it as a hobby, and maybe, on a good day, a small public service.