About The ECS Firm
A family firm built on hard work, integrity, and doing things right.
We help colleges, career schools, workforce training providers, and nonprofits with the financial aid, compliance, and funding work that keeps students enrolled.
Our story
Named for the woman who taught us how to work.
The ECS Firm was founded by Keema Echols and Lauren Cain, a mother-daughter team with 30 years of experience working with schools across the country.
Our name honors Ethel Clark, Keema's grandmother and Lauren's great-grandmother. She was known for her strength, her dedication, and her commitment to doing things well. We bring that same standard to every client, whether we're staffing a financial aid office, preparing a Title IV review, or writing a grant.
Leadership
Led by the people who do the work.
Keema Echols
Co-Founder
Lauren Cain
Co-Founder
Our expertise
Experience where it matters most to schools.
Financial aid
Our team has led financial aid offices, managed institutional compliance, and developed policies and procedures that stand up to federal and state oversight.
School administration
Support with accreditation, academic program development, curriculum design, and the institutional compliance that comes with them.
Grants & funding
Grant research and writing for nonprofits, full proposals for workforce funding, and student funding systems for career schools.
What we stand for
How we work with every client.
Hard work
We do the detailed, behind-the-scenes work that compliance and funding require, and we don't cut corners.
Integrity
Honest assessments, even when the answer isn't the one you hoped for. You'll always know where you stand.
Practical help
Hands-on support and tools your team can keep using long after our work is done.
Staying current
We follow federal and state changes closely, so you hear about what affects your school before it becomes a problem.
Let's talk about what your school needs.
Start with a conversation. We'll follow up within one business day.