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BT CONSULTING TEAM

We help innovative universities pursue bold strategies.

We are higher education experts who specialize in market research, organizational design, online learning, change-management, and executive search. For each project we bring a team with deep experience to ensure the best fit for each unique university client.

Founder & Principal Consultant

Robert (Bob) Bonner is the Founder & Principal Consultant at BT Consulting Group (BTCG), a firm which delivers strategic advisory services to academic, corporate and start-up organizations. At BTCG, he serves as the lead consultant working with institutions to advance their learning goals. His work with clients spans academic disciplines – Education, Nursing, Law, Business and Arts & Sciences – functional areas – Market Research, Program Portfolio Assessment, Program Design & Implementation – and modalities – on-grounds, online and hybrid program.

Prior to founding BTCG, Bob served for almost two decades as graduate dean and director of programs at three top academic institutions – the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University & Temple University. Leading a portfolio of graduate programs at Villanova and Temple, he increased student quality, dramatically improved rankings and financial resources through collaboration with faculty in redesigning the curriculum and launching new campuses and programs. At Villanova, he created and launched the Center City Campus, developed and launched the school’s largest custom executive education program ($1.2M) with Comcast and was selected as co-chair for a school-wide McKinsey strategy project. At Temple, Bob, revised curriculum, doubled revenue in Executive Programs and secured on-going corporate education programs. At Wharton, he advised the world’s top corporations on recruiting strategy, spearheaded opportunities for students with high-growth companies, taught seminars on career management and redesigned the recruiting experience through the creation of new online tools.

In addition to Bob’s academic leadership experience, he has extensive experience in online learning. At 2U, Inc., named one of “10 Startups Changing the World” by Forbes, and The Learning House, an innovative online enabler which is part of Wiley Education which partners with over 100 universities nationwide, Bob developed and implemented services for unique online audiences. At 2U, he led a team of 60 in partnering with preeminent universities to deliver rigorous, selective, online degree programs to students around the world. He led services for 2U’s largest university partnership programs, launched student success and coaching initiatives resulting in increased student retention, restructured 2U’s Georgetown team and implemented internal leadership development programs. At TLH, he developed the business plan for launching a new service line to advance student outcomes and oversaw the pilot with the company’s largest university partner.

Bob has served on the board of the MBA Round Table and presented on a variety of topics at leading industry conferences including – Creating a Culture of Innovation – A Case Study in Curricular Change and Innovations in Marketing – Get Ready for Gamification. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cabrini University, master’s degree from West Chester University and completed doctoral coursework at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.

Scott H. Levine, PhD
Senior Consultant, BT Consulting Group

  • Brings 25 years of higher ed experience including market research, strategic planning, and executive-level reporting
  • Extensive experience launching online programs across the higher ed spectrum, e.g., American, Case Western Reserve, and Tulane Universities as well as flagships in Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia
  • Trusted advisor to senior academic leadership on online portfolio strategy, OPM selection, and governance, translating market and enrollment data into executive-level recommendations
  • Author of the inaugural Eduventures Guide to OPMs (2012), co-author of the 2022 update, and co-author of two book chapters on higher education and online learning

Cindy Wheatley, PhD
Market Research Consultant

  • Brings 25+ years of market research and program development experience as an academic who understands the business of online higher education
  • Formerly led the research organizations at two major online program management companies—Compass Knowledge Group (EmbanetCompass and Pearson) and Keypath Education—working with universities across the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and Canada
  • Deep understanding of what makes online offerings successful across the full portfolio, from non-degree programs through doctoral education
  • Known for converting market research into actionable program recommendations that guide institutional investment, sequencing, and launch decisions

Mary Kate Harkins
Senior Human Capital & Organizational Strategy Consultant

  • Senior HR executive with extensive experience advising C-suite leaders on organizational design and performance management strategy, planning, and implementation
  • Brings deep expertise leading enterprise change across the full talent lifecycle, including talent development, succession planning, performance management, and workforce planning
  • Managed and executed talent strategies for a $2B global organization with more than 5,000 employees
  • Known for translating organizational and business strategy into scalable people, performance, and governance solutions that drive accountability and long-term effectiveness

Karen Denise Mitchell
Consultant

  • Brings 20+ years of experience in research administration, sponsored programs, and compliance at large, complex research universities
  • Serves as Director of Special Projects for Research Administration at Temple University, supporting institution-wide strategy, process improvement, and oversight across the sponsored-program lifecycle
  • Deep expertise in proposal development, award management, federal and foundation funding, and research compliance
  • SRAI Distinguished Faculty member who teaches and presents nationally on funding opportunity identification, grant search strategies, and the use of electronic tools and social media to track and disseminate funding trends