CBO Speaks: Recent Episodes
NACUBO Distance Learning
CBO Speaks from NACUBO showcases our most seasoned CBO colleagues from top institutions around the country as they share stories of their journey as business officers. Their experiences inspire us and show us what’s possible in our own work.
Sharron Scott is the chief financial and operating officer for the Vermont State Colleges in Montpelier, Vermont. In this episode, Scott joins host Melissa Farley to talk about navigating one of public higher education's most visible financial crises, making the case for radical transparency with boards and stakeholders, and how a systems-thinking mindset shaped her approach to institutional transformation. "Protect the organization's options and protect your own," Scott says. She explains that liquidity creates space for thoughtful decision-making, while trust gives leaders the flexibility to act without triggering resistance from boards, legislatures, and the communities they serve. "Both of those things require you to be honest—really honest—early, well before conditions are going to force your hand." Scott goes on to discuss how that combination of fiscal discipline and proactive transparency became the foundation of her approach as the Vermont State Colleges climbed from eight days of cash on hand in 2020 to roughly four months of reserves by the time of this recording. Join us for a conversation with Scott as she discusses what it means to lead with a "mile wide, inch deep" knowledge base, how she learned to put people before dollars—and why that shift made the financial decisions easier—and the advice she'd give to aspiring CBOs who bring a nontraditional background to the table. Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! * Career Conversations * NACUBO in Brief
Rich Kelley is chief financial officer at New England College of Optometry in Boston. In this episode, Kelley joins host Melissa Farley to talk about the leadership philosophy he calls transparent accountability, the financial planning challenges facing tuition-dependent institutions, and the lasting value of mentorship and professional networks in higher education. "I started to realize that the more important skill is creating the conditions to help others arrive at the right answer," Kelley says—whether that means a provost, a president, or someone in admissions. This shift in perspective, from needing to have every answer to empowering others to find them, forms the foundation of a leadership approach he calls transparent accountability. "That just means that I'm as clear as I can be about what I expect, as clear as I can be about what I know, and transparent about the things that I don't know." Kelley goes on to discuss how this philosophy has helped him build credibility and trust across the institution, from the finance office to the senior leadership table. Join us for a conversation with Kelley as he discusses how endurance athletics have shaped his professional resilience, why financial jargon can become a barrier to collaboration rather than a badge of expertise, and what he sees ahead for higher education as institutions navigate demographic pressures, federal uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Connect with Rich Kelley
Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! * Career Conversations * NACUBO in Brief
Bryan Swarthout is vice president for finance and administration at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. In this episode, Swarthout joins host Melissa Farley to talk about navigating the transition from corporate finance to higher education, leading with influence and servant leadership, and managing a broad institutional portfolio with strategic intentionality. "Be open to opportunities—you never know what project, role, or skill you could build through a new experience that will be the one to help you advance throughout your career," Swarthout says. He urges aspiring finance leaders to experiment, stretch beyond comfort zones, and invest time in learning the full breadth of the organizations they serve. "Build those relationships because they will serve the work that you do very well, as well as your career." Swarthout goes on to discuss how relationship-building is the connective tissue of effective higher ed finance leadership—enabling the trust and influence that moves people and institutions in the same direction. Join us for a conversation with Swarthout as he discusses leveraging AI as both an efficiency tool and a team-building opportunity, applying a mission-first framework to high-stakes financial decisions, and mentoring the next generation of higher education finance leaders. Check out NACUBO' other podcasts! * Career Conversations * NACUBO in Brief
Carla Hoʻā is vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. In this episode, Hoʻā joins host Melissa Farley to talk about building organizational resilience, leading through complexity, and transforming higher education through relationship-centered leadership. "The role of the CBO has changed over time... moving from a more transactional leadership to a strategic level of leadership," Hoʻā says. She emphasizes that modern higher education finance leaders must be catalysts who get out of their offices to find paths forward for their organizations. "We cannot be passive leaders in this space. We have to be catalysts for our organizations." Join us for a conversation with Hoʻā as she discusses navigating institutional scale, implementing AI in administrative systems, building trust through shared governance, and creating lasting organizational impact through people-centered leadership. Links * Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Chris Gardner is chief financial officer at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In this episode, Gardner joins our host Melissa Farley to discuss the evolving role of higher education CFOs, building authentic leadership through relationship-focused management, and navigating institutional identity in challenging times. "I want people to hopefully feel like they could approach me, that I could be a partner in whatever situation they were navigating. The CFO or business office can very easily get the reputation of being the office of 'no'," Gardner says, reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave. "I would much rather be known as the office of 'I'm not sure, but let's try and figure it out.'" Gardner emphasizes the importance of partnership and creative problem-solving in financial leadership. Join us for a conversation with Gardner as he discusses implementing major technology transitions at a small institution, maintaining institutional identity in a changing higher education landscape, and developing the next generation of financial leaders through mentorship and empowerment. Links * Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Audra Kahr is executive vice president for finance and administration at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Kahr joins our host Melissa Farley to discuss her journey from private sector accounting to higher education leadership, building exceptional teams, and creating a legacy focused on student success. "Leadership is about really taking everything you've encountered throughout your life and making it come to life in better ways. As leaders, we fail all the time. We don't always get the right answer," Kahr says. This philosophy shapes how she approaches team building and institutional growth. "What I will do is own it if I get it wrong. I will be honest. I've lived my career by the values that I set early on, and I think if you demonstrate that for your team they can then emulate that." Join us for a conversation with Kahr as she shares insights on managing diverse responsibilities, adapting to higher education's changing landscape, and maintaining a student-centered approach to financial leadership. Links * Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Alan Gilbert is senior vice president for finance and administration at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York system in Brooklyn, New York. In this episode, Gilbert joins our host Melissa Farley to discuss leading through transformative times, building trust-based organizational culture, and adapting higher education to meet evolving student needs. "Be yourself is the most important thing," Gilbert says. His authentic leadership style has shaped his approach to managing teams and institutional challenges. "If you don't love students and you don't get the energy from the students, you can't be a CBO. It's all about the students." Join us for a conversation with Gilbert as he talks about navigating the pandemic's challenges, implementing AI responsibly in higher education, and creating a legacy through mentorship and institutional improvement. Links * Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Kizzy Lea is chief financial and operations officer at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, Lea joins host Melissa Farley to discuss leadership evolution beyond finance, embracing operational innovation, and creating student-centered institutional impact. "Get comfortable wearing multiple hats—it's not just about finance anymore. Technical skills are just the foundation," Lea says, offering guidance to emerging higher education leaders. "Your credibility will be shaped as much by how you lead people as how you manage the dollar." She emphasizes the value of diverse experience—from facilities management to crisis response. Join us for a conversation with Lea as she shares insights on implementing artificial intelligence in community colleges, navigating state budget uncertainties, and transforming campus spaces to enhance learning experiences. Links * Find Kizzy on LinkedIn * Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Kevan Buck, president of finance and administration and chief financial officer, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, joins host Melissa Farley to discuss mission-driven leadership, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful student experiences in higher education. "It really comes down to one thing and that's students. If you're on a campus when the kids arrive in the fall and you walk out and you just feel the excitement of the students and the families, it's pretty amazing," Buck says. Having served in higher education finance for over 40 years, he emphasizes the importance of understanding both the business and human aspects of institutional operations. "It's really about the students and about the mission of education." Join us for a conversation with Buck as he shares insights about launching Xavier's new College of Osteopathic Medicine, navigating demographic challenges in higher education, and finding work-life balance in demanding leadership roles. He also discusses how the role of CFO has evolved to become more integrated across university operations, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and why maintaining focus on student success remains critical for institutional leadership. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
In this special transition episode of CBO Speaks, longtime host Donna Schiele welcomes incoming host Melissa Farley, former corporate journalist with USA Today Network and current host of The Morning Show in Arizona. "I'm really excited to uncover the stories behind the titles," Farley says. "I want to understand not just what our guests do, but how they think, what motivates them, and the lessons they've learned along the way." Join us for this milestone conversation as Farley shares her vision for diving into the human side of higher education leadership and exploring the challenges and solutions shaping the industry. This episode marks the conclusion of Schiele's tenure and launches Season 12 of CBO Speaks.
Kimberly Kvaal is executive vice president and vice president for administration and finance at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. In this episode, Kvaal joins our host Donna Schiele to discuss finding purpose in higher education leadership, the power of mentorship in career development, and innovative approaches to financial sustainability in modern universities. "I think now more than ever for the CBO, it is important to be able to tell the story about why the business model doesn't work and attract supporters for the necessary steps that we need to take to sustain our institutions," Kvaal says. This perspective comes from nearly three decades of experience in higher education finance. "It's that ability to be able to communicate technical information, complicated information clearly to be open to providing feedback and building relationships because so much of the work that we do is through building support across campus." She emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong relationships while navigating difficult financial decisions. Join us for a conversation with Kvaal as she shares insights about managing a $110 million operating budget, creating strategic partnerships for revenue generation, and balancing institutional mission with financial strategy. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * Career Conversations * NACUBO in Brief
John Crawford is vice president for finance and chief financial officer at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. In this episode, Crawford joins our host Donna Schiele to discuss following in his father's CPA footsteps, managing Texas A&M's massive $2.5 billion budget during a tuition freeze, and navigating the evolving landscape of higher education finance. "I think evaluating the P3 [public-private partnership] opportunities is crucial," Crawford says, highlighting the importance of strategic financial management in modern higher education. "We as a leadership team just have to be more strategic in how we approach things." Crawford emphasizes how universities must adapt to new funding realities while maintaining public confidence and institutional growth. Join us for a conversation with Crawford as he shares insights about centralizing financial operations across campus, balancing infrastructure investments with affordable tuition, and the vital role of professional organizations like NACUBO and SACUBO in developing higher education finance leaders. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Robin Van Harpen is senior vice chancellor for finance and administrative affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this episode, Van Harpen joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about transitioning from legal counsel to CFO leadership, navigating institutional financial challenges, and fostering an environment where talent can thrive. "Leadership in higher education is not easy. It's not for the faint of heart. And that’s not going to change," Van Harpen says, reflecting on the realities of higher education leadership. "But I think it is worth it. It's a little bit like my child who's not easy going. And I say, there are challenges, but they are equally matched by the joy." Join us for a conversation with Van Harpen as she discusses UWM's mission as an urban doctoral institution, strategies for maintaining financial sustainability during enrollment shifts, and her approach to leadership development. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Christopher Calvert is chief financial officer and vice president of administration and finance at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. In this episode, Calvert joins our host Donna Schiele to discuss his journey from private sector finance to higher education leadership, implementing data-driven financial strategies, and navigating the evolving landscape of institutional finance. "One of the things that I did learn as I've gone through the various progressions of my career is just learning how to be strategic, learning how to communicate strategy," Calvert says, reflecting on key leadership lessons. "Don't be afraid to stick your neck out a little bit. Don't be afraid to say what's on your mind. Be polite about it. Don't be afraid to be wrong." His emphasis on open communication and calculated risk-taking provides valuable guidance for aspiring CBOs. Join us for a conversation with Calvert as he shares insights about transforming institutional finances, reversing enrollment declines through data-driven decisions, and preparing higher education institutions for future demographic shifts. His approach to combining business acumen with mission-focused leadership offers a fresh perspective on higher education finance. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
The fifth edition of the National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers, released last year, offers crucial insights into the career paths, responsibilities, and aspirations of CBOs across the country. In this special crossover episode between CBO Speaks and NACUBO in Brief, host Donna Schiele and NACUBO's Bryan Dickson explore the Profile's findings with Nicole Long, chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, and Peter Elliott, vice president for administrative services at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida. The Profile examines key demographic trends in higher education leadership, revealing significant progress in diversity while highlighting areas still needing improvement. Long and Elliott provide valuable context around the study's findings on career pathways, succession planning, and evolving skill requirements. Their discussion emphasizes how the CBO role continues to expand beyond traditional financial oversight, with increasing focus on data analytics, new business models, and strategic planning - areas that require intentional development of future leaders. Join us for an insightful discussion about: * Key findings from the 2024 CBO Profile, including demographic shifts and emerging trends * Essential skills for modern CBOs, including strategic planning and change management * The importance of succession planning and developing future leaders * How the role of CBO continues to evolve and expand beyond traditional financial responsibilities * Strategies for attracting diverse talent to CBO positions
The 2024 National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers provides crucial insights into the changing nature of the profession, revealing how the role continues to expand beyond traditional financial oversight to encompass strategic planning, data analytics, and comprehensive institutional leadership. This discussion brings these findings to life through the experiences of current CBOs, offering valuable perspective for institutions and leaders working to develop the next generation of higher education business officers. Links * Learn more about the National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers * Connect with Peter on LinkedIn * Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn * Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Abby Benson is vice president for administration and finance at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. In this episode, Benson joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her diverse career path, the importance of curiosity and transparency in leadership, and the unique challenges and opportunities facing higher education today. "I would say that curiosity is really important. I think always being curious, always being willing to learn, I think is in line with the values of higher education," Benson says. Continually asking questions and digging into issues provides valuable learning experiences that can be applied to future challenges. "I know that the times that I've asked questions, the times that I've dug into trying to understand an issue are the times that I feel like I'm learning so much, and I know that I can bring that to whatever my next challenge will be." Benson goes on to talk about the importance of transparency as a chief business officer. Sharing information and providing opportunities for people to ask questions helps build trust, which is essential when navigating change. Without transparency, people may resist new initiatives or budget models because they don't understand the reasoning behind the decisions being made. Join us for a conversation with Benson as she talks about cementing the role of higher education institutions as vital to society, the value of a college degree in changing lives and trajectories, and advice for aspiring leaders to recognize how their skills can translate to new roles and opportunities. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Carmen Roberts is the executive director of operations at Great Falls College Montana State University in Great Falls, Montana. In this episode, Roberts joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her journey to becoming a higher education leader, the challenges and opportunities in operations management, and the importance of fostering collaboration among diverse teams. "Don't be afraid to take on something that's outside your comfort zone that you don't necessarily know anything about," Roberts says. She emphasizes the value of embracing new challenges and stepping outside one's job description to gain recognition and demonstrate capabilities. "Those other duties are assigned, that's where you get noticed. That's where people see how hard you work, what you're capable of. If you really aspire to leave, sometimes you have to do that. You have to focus on the other duties as assigned." Roberts goes on to talk about the importance of saying yes to opportunities, even when they may seem daunting or unfamiliar, as a key to career growth and success in higher education operations. Join us for a conversation with Roberts as she talks about navigating leadership transitions, successfully completing major facilities projects, and the motivations that drive her to excel in her role supporting students and staff. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Brian Lueth is vice president for finance and business at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In this episode, Lueth joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his journey from public accounting to higher education, the importance of effective communication in conveying financial information, and strategies for maintaining affordability and access for students. "I always try to start the conversation not with a ‘no’. I think that's easy for the CFOs to be pigeonholed into that person that always says ‘no’, and sticking to the budget and those types of things," Lueth says. He emphasizes the importance of reframing conversations to focus on how resources are allocated and the impact of initiatives on students. "I always try to reframe the conversation with, ‘Let's see if we can figure it out, let's see if we can talk about how we are allocating resources.’" Lueth goes on to talk about the value of listening to understand, being transparent, and learning from failures as critical qualities for managing the business side of higher education. He also discusses the potential for community colleges to fill the gap in the changing landscape of higher education, particularly in terms of affordability, shorter time to credentials, and alignment with industry needs. Join us for a conversation with Brian Lueth as he talks about the financial challenges facing community colleges, the role of data governance in promoting equitable student outcomes, and his advice for aspiring leaders in higher education finance. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Michelle Matis is vice president of finance and CFO at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg, Florida. In this episode, Matis joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her career path in higher education finance, managing financial health during challenging times, and the importance of collaboration and transparency. "I always try to instill that with my team first, that we're going to be transparent. It's helpful if when we're talking to people, we're giving the same message so that there's clarity and consistency," Matis says. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication and using consistent terminology when discussing financial matters. "Making sure we're using the same language is important. Then just communicating often and regularly." Matis goes on to talk about educating staff on the college's finances, funding sources, and budget allocation to foster a shared understanding. Join us for a conversation with Matis as she talks about balancing long-term investments with short-term needs, the evolving role of institutional advancement, and her advice for aspiring financial leaders in higher education. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Todd Kilburn is chief financial officer at Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) in Kentucky. In this episode, Kilburn joins our host Donna Schiele to discuss navigating institutional transitions, balancing financial leadership with student success, and the evolving responsibilities of modern chief business officers across KCTCS's 16 colleges, 70 campuses, and over 85,000 students. "I love discussions around strategy... I want to find a place where I can be a strategic thought partner," Kilburn says, reflecting on what drives his career choices and lateral moves. "I like helping to set the strategy and helping the institution advance its goals and its mission." He emphasizes the importance of finding roles that align with one's strengths while continuing to present new challenges. Join us for a conversation with Kilburn as he shares insights on managing a system of 300+ buildings, the critical role of resourcefulness in leadership, and how maintaining student-centric focus drives strategic financial planning. Links * Connect with Todd on LinkedIn * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Harry Allen is executive VP for financial excellence and CFO at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. In this episode, Allen joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his journey from banking to higher education, the importance of relationships and service in leadership, and his vision for the future of finance in higher ed. "I view my role in the many roles that I've had in my career. I'm mostly one that is empowering others and serving as the catalyst," Allen says. He emphasizes the importance of listening, learning and collaborating to find mutually beneficial solutions. "And so I show up to tables to listen and learn. And I think when you spend time doing that first, you get a true understanding of what the person's goals and motivations are versus coming to the table ready to say no to something." Allen goes on to talk about his excitement for the future, seeing AI not as a threat but as a tool to enhance human creativity and innovation. He advises emerging leaders in higher ed to raise their hand for special projects, serve their community, and stretch outside their comfort zone to gain new skills. Join us for a conversation with Allen as he talks about Belmont's explosive growth, building proactive financial infrastructure, and leaving a legacy of service and philanthropy. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Reach out to Harry on LinkedIn + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Kimberly Wagner is the vice president of business and finance at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois. In this episode, Wagner joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her transition from corporate accounting to higher education, the importance of empowering and investing in your team, and trends and changes in community colleges. "I think truthfully sweating the small stuff sometimes back then does make you appreciate later, you know, looking back," Wagner says. She emphasizes the value of truly listening and absorbing information, especially early in your career. "One thing that I wish I would have done more, and I think I tried my best as much as I can, is that listening – truly listening – you need to listen and absorb." Wagner goes on to advise aspiring leaders to think carefully before responding, noting the wisdom in pausing and delivering thoughtful responses. Join us for a conversation with Wagner as she shares insights from her diverse career path, discusses Elgin Community College's award-winning financial literacy program, and explores the evolving role of community colleges in meeting the needs of both traditional students and adult learners. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Claire Knapp is the vice president of finance and administration, chief business officer and treasurer at Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. In this episode, Knapp joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his unique career journey from public accounting to higher education, navigating financial challenges in a post-pandemic environment, and the importance of collaboration and relationships in his role. "If you're stepping into the CBO role, you have to have a strategic mindset. I think it's important to be thinking strategy and also to be able to think strategy with not only the group that you may be working with, but thinking strategically with the cabinet, thinking strategically with the board, bringing strategic ideas," Knapp says. He emphasizes the significance of strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data effectively. "Relationships are really critical. I view myself as an investor for the university. So when departments or other of our colleagues come and ask them when to spend money, for me, it's an investment. So it's working together with them." Join us for a conversation with Knapp as he discusses the evolving role of a CBO, critical skill sets for aspiring leaders in higher education finance, and the value of mentorship in professional growth. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Lori Seager is vice president for finance and chief financial officer at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this episode, Seager joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her unique career path, the value of a liberal arts education, and the evolving role of a CBO. "I think if a person cultivates that relationship, especially with their supervisor and asks for opportunities to be involved in new projects and learn new things, I think that's a really valuable experience for a person who aspires to a CBO role," Seager says. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and actively seeking out growth opportunities. "I think it's the work that I do in my daily job. But I have always valued and made it a priority to be involved in networking and professional development," Seager goes on to say, highlighting how continuous learning and building connections have been key to her development as a leader. Join us for a conversation with Seager as she shares insights on the challenges and rewards of working in higher education, the importance of adaptability and communication skills for CBOs, and her optimistic outlook on the future of liberal arts colleges. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Amanda Withers is the chief financial officer and senior vice president for operations at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. In this episode, Withers joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her journey to becoming a CBO in higher education, the importance of leadership and mentorship, and the future of the CBO role. "I think the CBO is going to become more of an integrated leader," Withers says. As resources become more constrained, CBOs will need to be data-informed and lead conversations about cost containment while working closely with other senior leaders. "The CBO role is going to continue to grow in depth and breadth as part of the core leadership of the university." Withers goes on to talk about the importance of showing up and being intentional in both professional and personal situations. She emphasizes that time is our greatest asset, so we must invest ourselves fully in the moments we're in, whether it's a meeting or a child's sports event. Join us for a conversation with Withers as she shares leadership lessons learned throughout her career, the value of formal and informal mentorship, and her thoughts on how higher education and the CBO role will evolve in the coming years. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Clayton Gibson is vice president for finance and administration and CFO at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. In this episode, Gibson joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his educational journey, his transition from corporate to higher ed, and the importance of mentorship. "Focus on your career and technical skill sets, but you also want to be involved in the community," Gibson says, recounting valuable advice he received from a mentor at Ernst & Young early in his career about the value of that connection to your community when you’re working to move into more prominent roles. He goes on to talk about how he has maintained involvement with non-profits throughout his career journey, recognizing the importance of community engagement for leadership roles. Join us for a conversation with Gibson as he shares insightful leadership lessons, discusses addressing workforce challenges in higher ed, and offers his perspective on the future of the industry and his own career. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Ann Bordelon is executive vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In this episode, Bordelon joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her career journey, mentorship, and leadership through change in higher education. “I look back on my career and there have been a handful of people who have really been instrumental,” Bordelon says. She goes on to emphasize the importance of mentors and sponsors who invested in her growth and advancement throughout her career. Join us for a conversation with Bordelon as she talks about transitioning from corporate roles to higher education leadership, guiding her institution through challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and an ERP system implementation, and keeping students at the heart of every decision. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Peter Elliott is vice president for administrative services at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida. In this episode, Elliott joins host Donna Schiele to talk about his career path, challenges in higher education, and the importance of community colleges. “I like to say when I introduce myself: I'm here because usually when a student gets to my office, they're not happy, and the odds are pretty good I'm not going to make them happy,” he says. Elliott explains that teaching as an adjunct allows him to interact positively with students and connect back to the mission of higher education. “So in a classroom I get to interact with students in a positive way, and it connects me back to what we're doing,” he continues. Teaching accounting reminds Elliott that the focus should be on changing students' lives. Join us for a conversation with Elliott as he talks about transitioning from auditor to higher education administrator, solving hiring challenges, and why community colleges are often overlooked in the national media. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Rob Cramer is vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI. In this episode, Cramer joins host Donna Schiele to discuss learning from mentors, overcoming challenges, and being optimistic for higher education. "How do we get to ‘yes’ when being asked to help solve problems?" Cramer reflects. Despite challenges, he remains focused on understanding needs and finding solutions—a mentality that fuels his optimism for higher ed's future. "That's still something that really sticks with me today," Cramer says. Join us as Rob Cramer recounts his journey from state government to higher ed leadership. He shares insights on managing risks, fostering student success, and supporting today's evolving workforce. Even amidst challenges, Cramer remains optimistic about the critical value of higher education. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Samuel Sudhakar is vice president and chief financial officer at California State University, San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA. In this episode, Sudhakar joins host Donna Schiele to talk about his career journey, the importance of developing leaders, and how higher education needs to adapt. “The effectiveness of a leader comes from developing a number two and succession plan,” he says. Sudhakar emphasizes grooming leaders within his team and providing opportunities for growth. “Over the years, we had developed a strong infrastructure in IT. So when I moved over, taking over this division, I had very strong people supporting me on the IT side." He goes on to discuss the importance of empowering others. Join us for a conversation with Sudhakar as he talks about supporting student success, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and preparing for the future of higher education with AI. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Molly Mercer is chief financial officer at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Mercer joins host Donna Schiele to discuss navigating a career in higher education finance, embracing shared governance, and growing as a leader through mentorship. “I can't say enough about the importance of mentoring,” Mercer emphasizes. She describes the value of having a mentor you can be vulnerable with and gain perspective from. Mercer stresses the immense value she found in formal mentorship programs for developing leadership skills. Join us as Mercer shares lessons learned from her varied career path leading to higher ed finance. She talks about transitioning from the corporate world, participating in mentorship, and driving transformation through a focus on people and communication. Links * Find Molly on LinkedIn * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Andrea Young is vice president for finance and administration and associate professor of mathematical sciences at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. In this episode, Young joins host Donna Schiele to discuss her career journey in higher education administration, the importance of shared governance, and building consortium relationships. "I think that oftentimes, particularly if one is new to higher education, shared governance can really be a big culture shift and can seem as though it is antithetical to change, that it's a barrier to getting work done," she says. Young goes on to explain how she sees shared governance as an opportunity for collaboration and sustainable change, not an obstacle. Join us for a conversation with Andrea Young as she talks about leveraging the CFO's role as a strategic advisor, tackling impostor syndrome, and using consortiums to provide better student mental health services. Links * Andrea Young on LinkedIn * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Jeffrey DeWitt is chief financial officer and executive vice chancellor for finance at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. In this episode, DeWitt joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about the challenges facing higher education, the importance of strategic alignment, and the bright future ahead for universities. “The future of higher ed, which is what we're working on at KU, is the economic engine of Kansas,” he says. DeWitt emphasizes how universities drive innovation and research that spur economic growth. “We are providing the research that spurs new technology that brings jobs into your state,” he explains. Join us for a conversation with DeWitt as he talks about the need for shared governance, how national events affect campus, and why he is optimistic about the future of higher education. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
John Coppola is vice president for finance and administration at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. In this episode, Coppola joins host Donna Schiele to talk about finding mentors in higher education, investing in initiatives that support student success, and participating in professional associations like NACUBO and EACUBO. “There’s no better opportunity to really get your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in higher education than joining these associations and coming to the workshops or the annual meetings or whatever it might be,” he says. Coppola emphasizes the value of networking and learning from peers at similar institutions through groups like NACUBO and EACUBO. He goes on to highlight the mentoring opportunities these organizations provide for emerging leaders and aspiring CBOs. Join us for a conversation with John Coppola as he talks about adapting to meet the evolving needs of today's workforce, forging partnerships to expand academic program offerings, and preparing for record incoming-freshman classes. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Lisa Frace is senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. In this episode, Frace joins host Donna Schiele to discuss her career path, lessons learned, and insights on the future of higher education finance. "I think mentorship evolves over time. I can think about each organization I was in and how even if it wasn't a formal mentorship relationship, there was always an ability to learn. And sometimes it was formal and sometimes it was informal," she says. Frace explains how she has benefited from mentors throughout her career, both through formal programs and informal relationships. She emphasizes the importance of identifying qualities to develop professionally and finding people who exhibit those qualities to provide guidance. Join us for a conversation with Frace as she talks about transitioning from corporate roles to higher education, the complexity of university finances, shared governance, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and innovating in areas like blockchain technology. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Mary Lou Ortiz is vice chancellor, finance and administration and chief financial officer at University of California, Irvine. In this episode, Mary Lou joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about learning on the job, developing mentor relationships, and leading through change. “One of the things I noticed was that a mentor I had was never afraid to say, ‘I don't understand,’ and to ask questions,” she says. Mary Lou explains how not being afraid to ask questions and admit when you don't understand something has been crucial for her. ““I've emulated that now because I've realized that in my role, if I ask questions, then it frees up other people to ask questions too.” She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and not being afraid to learn. Join us for a conversation with Mary Lou Ortiz as she talks about the importance of relationships, managing change, and always looking for new challenges. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations + NACUBO in Brief
Noel Sloan is senior vice president of administration and finance and chief financial officer at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. In this episode, Noel joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her winding career path to higher education, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and her approach to creating a magical experience for everyone who visits Texas Tech's campus. Noel stresses the importance of building collaborative relationships with peers and partners across departments and institutions. “One of the most important relationships you can build at this level is left/right with your peers to achieve whatever your initiatives are.” She goes on to share her optimistic view of the evolutions ahead for higher education. Join Noel Sloan as she talks about finding fulfillment in higher education, the Disney-inspired approach she takes to create a welcoming campus environment, and the ways she leveraged data and cross-departmental collaboration to improve graduation rates at Texas Tech. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Jean Vock is the senior vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). In this episode, Vock discusses the growth of UNLV to serve the Las Vegas community, her philosophy of leading with service and stewardship, and efforts to transform the perception of the CFO's office. "If we start out in an intake conversation saying, ‘The first thing I'm going to tell you is that there's all these rules and all these regulations,’ you're probably not going to be able to get that done. That is not as productive as if we start out by saying, ‘Help me understand what you're trying to accomplish and why’," Vock explains on shifting to a service mindset. Additional topics include: * Her career journey through higher education finance * Mentorship through professional associations * Fostering organizational culture and trust * Bandwidth challenges limiting innovation * Effective leadership transitions and succession planning
Join us for an insightful discussion on navigating change and complexity with UNLV's CBO, Jean Vock. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Undria Stalling is the senior vice president of business and finance and chief financial officer at Morehouse College in Atlanta. In this episode, Stalling joins host Donna Schiele to talk about her career path to Morehouse, empowering her team, and the importance of historically Black colleges and universities. “The most rewarding responsibility is providing the support to my team and them being successful and knowing that I’m helping them to develop and to continuously grow,” she says. Stalling elaborates on how she mentors her team members and helps them advance in their careers by providing opportunities for growth and stretch assignments. Join us for a conversation with Undria Stalling as she talks about managing enrollment, building relationships with nearby HBCUs, and ensuring the financial sustainability of Morehouse College. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Lori Herrick, the chief financial officer at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, joins host Donna Schiele on the CBO Speaks podcast. In this episode, Herrick discusses her experience as the first woman CFO in Abilene Christian University's history. She talks about overcoming impostor syndrome as a woman leader and pioneering a seat at the table in higher education finance. Herrick also covers strategies for developing her team through mentorship and succession planning. "I want to build people up underneath me," she says, emphasizing the importance of believing in her direct reports' potential and goals. Additional topics include: * Navigating the changing higher education landscape and demographic cliff * Pivoting academic programs online during COVID-19 * Preparing a residential campus for continued growth amid enrollment declines * Balancing her finance responsibilities across ACU's Abilene and Dallas campuses
Tune in for an insightful conversation about leadership and innovation with Abilene Christian University's groundbreaking CFO, Lori Herrick. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
Lucien Costley is the Vice President for Planning and Finance at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. In this episode, Lucien joins our host, Donna Schiele, to discuss his unique path to his current role, the challenges and opportunities of being a CBO, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of higher education. "I wasn't your typical Institutional Research (IR) person," Lucien says, reflecting on his transition from IR to his current role. He explains how his approach to data visualization and teaching others about data helped him build strong connections within the university, ultimately leading him to his position as Vice President for Planning and Finance. Lucien also delves into some of the more challenging aspects of his job and emphasizes the importance of reaching out to peers and mentors for guidance and support. In discussing the current landscape of higher education, Lucien emphasizes the importance of constantly re-evaluating the value propositions of institutions. "We have to continue to find those niche and/or value-added proposition academic programs or opportunities," he advises. He also passionately counters the national narrative questioning the return on investment for a college education, stating, "The narrative that has happened in this country in the past 20 and 30 years is wrong." Join us for a conversation with Lucien as he provides invaluable insights into the role of a CBO, the constant need for adaptability in higher education, and the importance of mentorship and collaboration in overcoming challenges. Links * Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! * + Career Conversations (brand new!) + NACUBO in Brief
NACUBO's new podcast Career Conversations, featuring insights and advice for business professionals new to higher education, starts airing biweekly on September 8th. Make sure to subscribe!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs share their go-to resources.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs talk about creative solutions.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs discuss collaboration.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs reflect on student success.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs talk about governance.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs discuss analytics.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we’ve asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today’s important topics. In this episode, our CBOs talk about advocacy.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs discuss how to put action towards diversity, equity, and inclusion... or DEI.
Lori Beaty is Chief Financial Officer/Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. In this episode, Lori joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about transitioning from grant accounting, being a lifelong learner, and why it’s important to remember that you don’t have to understand every detail of the work you oversee. “I have needed to grow key skills as I’ve grown into this position,” she says. She calls out flexibility and collaboration as the two skills she’s developed the most as she’s continued her CBO role. “We have to be able to have those collaborative conversations and come to what is best for the institution as a whole, not always what looks right on paper from a finance perspective.” She goes on to talk about the value in seeing from other perspectives, notably the Provost, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and more. Join us for a conversation with Lori as she talks about surrounding yourself with great people, the challenge of working with budget cuts, and the joy of troubleshooting.
Glen Nakata is the Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs at Purdue University Fort Wayne in Indiana. In this episode, Glen joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about the value of attracting international students, building a team with people that bring something new to the discussion, and being inquisitive. “I want to bring people from different backgrounds, different regions, different countries to learn more from them,” he says. He talks about how as an organization, they only get stronger when they do that, not just as students but also as employees. “If you keep hiring the same people over and over again, what are you really going to learn?” He goes on to talk about why this strengthens their pillar of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Join us for a conversation with Glen as he talks about the importance of listening, learning to collaborate with everyone at the university, and always being transparent.
Geoff Chatas is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In this episode, Geoff joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his learning curve coming from the corporate world, thinking about the world in different ways, and developing great teams, before getting out of their way. “It’s okay to innovate. It’s okay to take risks. It’s okay to push the envelope, but do it within the tolerance of what your organization can handle,” he says. It’s a challenge for every CBO as they learn to find the right ways to bring about collaborative change. “You have to be able to bend the institution without breaking it.” Join us for a conversation with Geoff as he talks about not being afraid to think big, leaving a legacy of succession planning, and applying the same principles whether you’re in a big or small institution.
Lisa Rulney is Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and CFO at University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. In this episode, Lisa joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about the benefits of longevity, the value of constructive criticism, and the importance of focusing on financial sustainability. “More than ever, we have to have a focus on efficient operations and innovation,” she says. She talks about the value in being forced to pivot quickly to online learning and the ways that helped them better understand how to operate efficiently. “We also need to respond rapidly to signals in the market, which isn’t something institutions have done well in the past.” She goes on to talk about how everyone needs to find their people – a pool of like-minded colleagues. Join us for a conversation with Lisa as she talks about a legacy of making those around her stronger, empowering her team to take risks, and sharing her own mistakes so everyone can learn from them. LINKS * Lisa Rulney on LinkedIn
Manish Kumar is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. In this episode, he joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, strategies to help grow enrollment, and the importance of understanding shared governance for the academic system. “Like every institution during the Pandemic, it has affected our minority students very disproportionately,” he says. He talks about why it’s important to help those students stay on track during school and graduate on time. “The national trend has been enrollment going down overall.” He goes on to talk about how more students are moving out of Chicago and the state, and how that’s a challenge for them in their competitive market. Join us for a conversation with Manish as he talks about the mission and vision to serve, the joy of seeing students on campus again, and doing what no one else wants to do.
William Nunez is Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and CFO at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. In this episode, he joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about stepping into well-run programs, moving to a private sector university, and learning you can’t do it all. “You’re not the expert on all the things that are reported to you,” he says. He talks about the importance of being a great listener, of trusting your people, of hiring great people, of being knowledgeable enough to know the right questions to ask. “It really comes down to understanding the limitations of every human and understanding that we’re always improving.” He goes on to talk about how he’ll be better tomorrow than he was today just because of the great people he’s working with. Join us for a conversation with Nunez as he talks about his love for higher education – particularly the first three weeks of the fall semester with all its energy and excitement about what’s to come.
Jim Matteo is Vice President for Finance and Treasurer for Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. In this episode, Jim joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about figuring out your ‘edge’, being a team player, and working in a state versus a private university. `“How do we help advance what I’ll call excellence and equity at Princeton?” he asks. He talks about how this is a key question to advancing their strategic priorities. “That’s a place where we spend quite a bit of time redesigning process, making investments of funds, and channeling a lot of our effort.” He talks about attracting the best talent they can to grow their student body, one of their strategic priorities. Join us for a conversation with Jim as he talks about building your network, volunteering on committees, and building your reputation.
Julee Gard is Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. In this episode, Julee joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about following your dreams, transferrable skills, and retention. “I’m just as responsible for making sure that our current students remain and feel welcomed as anybody else in a leadership role,” she says. She talks about how that’s a big shift in the higher education field now than when she started. “We are all responsible for retention. It’s all of our jobs. ” She talks about the silos of responsibility in higher ed, but that it’s important to break down those silos to help retain the students. Join us for a conversation with Julee as she talks about the value these days of 24/7 response to the needs of the students in this post-pandemic world, keeping a good sense of humor, and being realistic in managing your expectations.
Doug Schantz is Vice President for Business Affairs for Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio. In this episode, Doug joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about working in his hometown, the importance of affordability, and the positives of the pandemic. “It catapulted us much further in evolving as an industry than I think we would’ve achieved within even the next five to ten years,” he says. He talks about how it provided an opportunity to look toward the future of higher education as a whole. “We need to think about the evolving needs of our students. They’re getting used to on-demand learning. How are we going to support that?” He goes on to talk about thinking outside the box to keep up with the fast and ever-shifting changes in the industry. Join us for a conversation with Doug as he talks about being responsive to the people they serve and why it’s important to adapt to different and evolving structures.
Doug Schantz is Vice President for Business Affairs for Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio. In this episode, Doug joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about working in his hometown, the importance of affordability, and the positives of the pandemic. “It catapulted us much further in evolving as an industry than I think we would’ve achieved within even the next five to ten years,” he says. He talks about how it provided an opportunity to look toward the future of higher education as a whole. “We need to think about the evolving needs of our students. They’re getting used to on-demand learning. How are we going to support that?” He goes on to talk about thinking outside the box to keep up with the fast and ever-shifting changes in the industry. Join us for a conversation with Doug as he talks about being responsive to the people they serve and why it’s important to adapt to different and evolving structures.
Chris Martin is Vice President for Finance and Administration / CFO at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode, Chris joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about figuring out secondary education’s role in the industry, working with the local municipalities, and creating a more flexible system that allows for more innovative thinking. “We’re a place where all students are welcome,” he says. That’s the mission as he describes it, but they have to adjust to compete with things like Google Certificates or Amazon Certificates. “Are we willing to adjust how we do things to compete on a new level?” He goes on to talk about creating lifelong relationships with alumni and why that’s critical as we move toward a more competitive future. Join us for a conversation with Chris as he talks about reworking your way of thinking to ‘as if’ instead of ‘we can’t’ and how that can help move forward.
Chris Martin is Vice President for Finance and Administration / CFO at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode, Chris joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about figuring out secondary education’s role in the industry, working with the local municipalities, and creating a more flexible system that allows for more innovative thinking. “We’re a place where all students are welcome,” he says. That’s the mission as he describes it, but they have to adjust to compete with things like Google Certificates or Amazon Certificates. “Are we willing to adjust how we do things to compete on a new level?” He goes on to talk about creating lifelong relationships with alumni and why that’s critical as we move toward a more competitive future. Join us for a conversation with Chris as he talks about reworking your way of thinking to ‘as if’ instead of ‘we can’t’ and how that can help move forward.
Chris Martin is Vice President for Finance and Administration / CFO at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode, Chris joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about figuring out secondary education’s role in the industry, working with the local municipalities, and creating a more flexible system that allows for more innovative thinking. “We’re a place where all students are welcome,” he says. That’s the mission as he describes it, but they have to adjust to compete with things like Google Certificates or Amazon Certificates. “Are we willing to adjust how we do things to compete on a new level?” He goes on to talk about creating lifelong relationships with alumni and why that’s critical as we move toward a more competitive future. Join us for a conversation with Chris as he talks about reworking your way of thinking to ‘as if’ instead of ‘we can’t’ and how that can help move forward.
Dr. Ruth Johnston is Vice Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief COVID-19 Officer at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In this episode, Johnston joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about being nimble, challenges ahead for higher education, and why understanding the system from all perspectives is critical for a CBO. “To be a successful CBO or COO, you really need to understand the system, and not just the administrative side but how the students fit in, how the faculty fit in, how shared governance works,” she says. All while you’re also handling the administration of it all. Administration is in support of the academy. “Our job is to make sure the goals for the academy are reached.” She emphasizes goals for student success; research and creativity; and extension, outreach, and service. Join us for a conversation with Johnston as she talks about the value of walking meetings, leaning into the job to make yourself do parts you may not be looking forward to, and the value of metrics.
Dr. Ruth Johnston is Vice Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief COVID-19 Officer at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In this episode, Johnston joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about being nimble, challenges ahead for higher education, and why understanding the system from all perspectives is critical for a CBO. “To be a successful CBO or COO, you really need to understand the system, and not just the administrative side but how the students fit in, how the faculty fit in, how shared governance works,” she says. All while you’re also handling the administration of it all. Administration is in support of the academy. “Our job is to make sure the goals for the academy are reached.” She emphasizes goals for student success; research and creativity; and extension, outreach, and service. Join us for a conversation with Johnston as she talks about the value of walking meetings, leaning into the job to make yourself do parts you may not be looking forward to, and the value of metrics.
Dr. Ruth Johnston is Vice Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief COVID-19 Officer at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In this episode, Johnston joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about being nimble, challenges ahead for higher education, and why understanding the system from all perspectives is critical for a CBO. “To be a successful CBO or COO, you really need to understand the system, and not just the administrative side but how the students fit in, how the faculty fit in, how shared governance works,” she says. All while you’re also handling the administration of it all. Administration is in support of the academy. “Our job is to make sure the goals for the academy are reached.” She emphasizes goals for student success; research and creativity; and extension, outreach, and service. Join us for a conversation with Johnston as she talks about the value of walking meetings, leaning into the job to make yourself do parts you may not be looking forward to, and the value of metrics.
Kelli Shomaker is Vice President for Business and Finance and CFO at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. In this episode, Shomaker joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about spending time on the University’s vision, maintaining their mission through the pandemic, and the importance of town and gown. “It’s really important that we take into careful consideration changes that we might make here on this campus and how that might affect the city,” she says. If they choose to grow their enrollment without providing additional housing, she gives as an example, that puts the burden on the town. As Auburn’s largest employer, they need to take all of this into consideration. “It’s a very good relationship, but it’s one that we understand that we need to nurture all the time as best we can.” She goes on to talk about the balance between city and school and why it’s important to pay attention to all aspects. Join us for a conversation with Shomaker as she talks about setting an example, learning to get out of your comfort zone, and coming up with more creative ways to make higher education available to everyone that chooses that path.
Christopher Lee is Vice President for Administration and Finance at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. In this episode, Lee joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about learning to prioritize without panic, optimizing your choices, and being a CBO in a faith-based institution. “We are here as professionals not to panic but to simply anticipate as much as we can, prepare for the fact that big things will always come at us, have plans in place for things we can prepare for, and then as those things come, assess, evaluate, prioritize, and then execute in the best interest of our institutions and our students,” he says. He relates his thinking to Douglas Adams’ classic quote “Don’t panic” from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. “Many people lose sight of that mission and purpose. We need to always keep in mind if we’re operating in that best interest. That’s one of the ways we keep ourselves sustainable.” He goes on to talk about the CBO’s role of stewardship for the organizations. Join us for a conversation with Lee as he talks about maintaining and sustaining mission post-Covid, balancing the sustainability of resources, and changes that come with new leadership.
Maisha Williams is Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Marymount Manhattan College in New York, NY. In this episode, Williams joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her family history in education, the pros and cons of working at a small arts college in the heart of the city, and the artistic view of pairing majors. “Our location is so rich in so many different areas from a cultural perspective,” she says. The location allows them to utilize the city and all it offers to provide a unique focus toward what they offer the students. “Our work with the community is on many different fronts.” She goes on to talk about the power of having a mentor who was a person of color that helped her model her own behavior and career direction. Join us for a conversation with Williams as she talks about working with the shifts in the modern post-pandemic industry, being a strategic partner as well as true collaborator, and the importance of building a team that incorporates diversity in all aspects – including a diversity of thought and approach.
Maisha Williams is Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Marymount Manhattan College in New York, NY. In this episode, Williams joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her family history in education, the pros and cons of working at a small arts college in the heart of the city, and the artistic view of pairing majors. “Our location is so rich in so many different areas from a cultural perspective,” she says. The location allows them to utilize the city and all it offers to provide a unique focus toward what they offer the students. “Our work with the community is on many different fronts.” She goes on to talk about the power of having a mentor who was a person of color that helped her model her own behavior and career direction. Join us for a conversation with Williams as she talks about working with the shifts in the modern post-pandemic industry, being a strategic partner as well as true collaborator, and the importance of building a team that incorporates diversity in all aspects – including a diversity of thought and approach.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs share resources, including readings, podcasts, and organizations, that they’ve found helpful in their roles.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs share resources, including readings, podcasts, and organizations, that they’ve found helpful in their roles.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs give suggestions for supporting creative solutions and finding a way to say “yes” to new ideas.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs discuss collaboration, both within and outside the institution, and ways to build new collaborative relationships.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs reflect on how to advocate for student success and what impacts student success at their institutions.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs give their views on advocacy and what they work to advocate for on their campuses.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs discuss how to put action towards diversity, equity, and inclusion... or DEI.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs share their thoughts on governance and the CBO’s role within the institution.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs talk about analytics and how to do meaningful and collaborative work with data that answers the right questions.
Dr. Kim Hadley is the Vice President of Finance & Administration and Assistant Professor of Business at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In this episode, Dr. Hadley joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about how her background as a professor informs everything she does, keeping up to date with the pulse of the students, and the role of faith for her as a CBO. “It’s been a refreshing place to be for my faith,” she says. The role as a CBO is the same, but there are differences for her because of the focus of the university. “Faculty and staff are expected to integrate faith into every aspect of their teaching.” She goes on to say that each individual may think differently and integrate it differently, but from a budget perspective, they still need to make room for all of it. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Hadley as she talks about the power of collaboration between institutions, learning to make budget talk exciting for faculty meetings, and the joy in bringing a daycare center to campus.
In this very special 100th episode, our host, Donna Schiele, joins NACUBO president and CEO Susan Whealler Johnston to welcome back three interviewees from our first season of CBO Speaks to see where they are now: * Bronté Burleigh-Jones, chief financial officer at American University (listen to Bronté in episode 4) * Gregg Goldman, vice chancellor and chief financial officer at the University of California, Los Angeles (listen to Gregg in episode 5) * Gerald Hector, senior vice president for administration and finance at the University of Central Florida (listen to Gerald in episode 7) These distinguished guests share what they’ve accomplished since their last interview seven years ago, some of their favorite NACUBO memories, and what they’re doing today that they never imagined they’d be doing as a CBO. Join us to hear their thoughts on the biggest challenges facing higher education today, their advice for current and future CBOs, and why they think now is a great time to be a CBO.
Mitchell Wein is the Senior Vice President for Finance and the Chief Administrative Officer for Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Wein joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his passion for the mission of academia and transforming lives, spreading your time across multiple goals, and how there are many differences between the private and public sectors but that they share many similarities as well. “There are different ways to solve the problem or the opportunity or the challenge in front of us. Let’s talk about them. There’s pros and cons and trade-offs,” he says. He says he doesn’t come at these things anymore with the mindset that there’s only one way to get them done. “It’s really very similar in that it is analytical, it is conversational, it is collaborative. We did that in the private sector talking to clients, and we absolutely do that inside Haverford College today,” he says. Join us for a conversation with Wein as he talks about how dining is a key part to the student experience as it makes it feel like a home away from home, talking about benchmarks with his team, and the importance of prioritizing goals.
Sherry Mondou is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. In this episode, Mondou joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her 31 years in higher education at Puget Sound, changes she's seen over the years, and things that haven’t changed. “You never know what’s going to come up on any given day in higher education,” she says. She advises that anyone coming into this world be patient with the process of shared governance. “Giving people the opportunity to advise or to give feedback and weigh in is very valuable and makes higher education special,” she says. Join us for a conversation with Mondou as she talks about being committed to the school’s mission and understanding the common goals; and why she encourages fresh thinking, even when it makes the work hard.
Teri Zamora is the Vice Chancellor of Fiscal Affairs at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. In this episode, Zamora joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about connecting to varied community college populations, giving your team what they need to become what you want them to be, and building in SMORs - Small Moments of Reflection - to your schedule. “I try to build in five to 10 minutes between appointments so I can actually make notes on what I need to follow up on,” she says. She continues that it’s incredibly easy to forget those small details when you don’t take the time to make the notes. “Being too busy is not good. Try to build in to act on those things you just talked about,” she says. Join us for a conversation with Zamora as she talks about what she’s brought with her from her past careers, being accountable for yourself, and the importance of always keeping students at the center of all the decisions you make.
Bradley Kendrex is the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Mesa Community College in the Maricopa Community College system in the Phoenix, Arizona area. In this episode, Kendrex joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about the challenges of being CBO at two colleges simultaneously, how continuing as an instructor helps him stay current, and the ever-changing times in which we’re living. “Higher education is renowned for being planted in tradition and staying current and trying to keep steady through whatever is going on in society, but I feel like we’re in more tumultuous times than we always acknowledge,” he says. He continues that we need to start opening doors and windows that have been excluded in the past and have the hard conversations about what is core, what is important, and what needs to be done to grow and sustain that part of the community. Join us for a conversation with Kendrex as he talks about the importance of having a broader context to the role, using storytelling with analytics in this business, and the value of learning from mistakes Jenga-style.
Dr. Sara Thorndike is the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Treasurer at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Thorndike joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about keeping the pulse on the needs of your team, finding ways to create work/life balance, and why people skills may outweigh the technical skills in this role. “Understanding that you have to know how to collaborate and partner and feel comfortable building trust & negotiating. Building that team. Those are the skills that are important for a CBO to cultivate because it’s about partnerships,” she says. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Sara Thorndike as she talks about the importance of diversity, equity, & inclusion; the importance of trust in relationship building; and the power of mentorship.
Randy Livingston is the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Thomas University in Thomasville, Georgia. In this episode, Livingston joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his transition from the public sector and adapting to a different system, learning to get everyone’s endorsement, and the importance of learning to communicate with those who don’t speak the language of finance. “As the CFO, while you’re required to gain support and consensus, you are getting that from people who don’t really know much about the financial world,” he says. He continues that you need a certain amount of desire to be as leading as possible to make sure they’re understanding the implications in changes presented. That’s the key to success in this role. Join us for a conversation with Randy Livingston as he talks about the truth behind working yourself out of a job, shaping your data for each constituency, and the joy of working with people.
Christina Dalton is the Vice President for Business and Finance at West Virginia State University in Institute, West Virginia. In this episode, Dalton joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about advocating for diversity in higher ed institution roles, particularly accounting roles, and why it’s important for students graduating to understand financial literacy. “Being empathetic to your team members, that’s part of what makes a person successful in this role,” she says. She continues that it’s easy to be focused on your goals, but you have to be mindful that you’re not putting too much pressure on your team members. Giving people grace is an important skill to learn. Join us for a conversation with Christina Dalton as she talks about being a young chief financial officer, her love for the industry, and why she holds such a strong place for it in her heart.
Shahrooz Roohparvar is the Vice President of Administration and Finance at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. In this episode, Roohparvar joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about turning every crisis into an opportunity, and working more toward investment and innovation for the student experience. “We can always look back and think about those enjoyable memories of the college-going experience,” he says. He continues that it’s important to make those experiences resonant to students today but adapting them by including more safe spaces on campus, more inclusive environments, putting DEI initiatives in place, and more. Roohparvar also discusses his longstanding passion for teaching and student success and how he’s using his CBO role now to really make an impact on the student experience. Join us for a conversation with Shahrooz Roohparvar as he talks about building strong student experiences that are memorable and safe, and the importance of finding new paths to revenue.
Dr. Janet Wormack is the Vice President for Administration and Finance at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland. In this episode, Dr. Wormack joins our new host Donna Schiele to talk about navigating as an African American female in a role that’s generally male-dominated, and the power of mentors and networks to find the strength to stay on the path to a successful career. “I am a big supporter of making sure you take care of the people behind you,” she says. She adds that it’s important to be invited to the table at early stages so that you can see how those above you do it, and also be in a position where you can make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. Dr. Wormack appreciates the mentoring she received and believes that mentoring not only helps those coming up after you but also helps you improve and become a better CBO. Through mentorship and work, Dr. Wormack always stays positive about where she is and where she’s going. “My future always looks bright. There’s always something new on the horizon.” Join us for a conversation with Dr. Janet Wormack as she talks about advocating for higher education for all and why it’s important to have an educated society.
As we kick off Season 8, our host Megan Strand bids us adieu as she heads off to start a new career. Here, she introduces us to Donna Schiele, our new host of the show.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about analytics. Colleges and universities are embracing analytics and using data, technology, and specialized knowledge to answer questions, reveal institutional needs, predict outcomes, or improve financial performance. Let’s hear from our CBOs on how they’re using analytics on campus to best prepare their institutions for the future.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about the economic model. When higher education leaders envision the future of their institution, they’re challenged to think about the ideal financial or economic model that will support their mission, which can often mean shifting and growing in new directions. Our CBOs shared some ways they’ve been grappling with this complex topic on their campuses.
In this special episode, Megan Strand joins Jill Creighton, host of the SA: Voices From the Field Podcast, and two former CBO Speaks guests, Nicole Trufant and Gerald Hector, to look at how student affairs officers and business officers can work together towards mutual success. The discussion ranges from seeing business officers as human to how student affairs and business office professionals can help each other promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. They talk about the importance of transparency, open communication, and building relationships with people at all levels to improve collaboration across all departments. It’s a great conversation between these four people and a great way to spend time with the NASPA team.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about collaboration. We often hear that success isn’t found in silos, but rather in working with colleagues across campus and the higher education sector toward a shared goal or purpose. Our CBOs are experts on how a collaborative approach is key to achieving their institution’s mission and supporting the mission of higher education in general.
Kevin Davenport is the Vice President of Finance & Administration at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. In this episode, Davenport joins Megan Strand to talk about the value of learning from every opportunity and why the saying ‘if you’ve never failed then that must mean you’re not trying hard enough’ means so much to him.
“CBOs need to be able to really challenge themselves and to work outside of their comfort zone, not being afraid to fail,” he says. Too many people fall into patterns of comfort and stop challenging themselves. It’s critical to always be finding ways to push yourselves to improve and become a better CBO. “In order to grow, you really gotta do something different, you know? And take yourself out of what you feel most comfort with.”
Join us for a conversation with Kevin Davenport as he talks about how every opportunity of success or failure is a chance to improve yourself and how even a pandemic can be a good thing if you use it to become better and stronger.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about advocacy. Whether it’s regarding legislative or agency activity, public perception of higher education, or other timely issues, NACUBO is your constant advocate in action. Let’s hear from our CBOs on how they’re working to be advocates for higher education at the student, community, state, and national levels.
David Gingerella is the Vice Chancellor of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer at UMass Dartmouth in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. In this episode, Gingerella joins Megan Strand to talk about learning to connect in the remote digital world and why it’s still important to have spontaneous conversations NOT about work, as hard as it may be.
“I have regular meetings with everyone but they’re much more structured. That’s not as personable as I’d like it to be,” he says. Working remotely also means it’s harder to provide the transparency he’s used to, and when you’re working with numbers, it’s good to be transparent. “What you don’t want people thinking is that this is ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and someone behind the curtain is doing all these kinds of things to the budget and they don’t get to understand them.”
Join us for a conversation with David Gingerella as he talks about the unique opportunity of being in a place to identify possible future CBOs, and why it’s important to get out of your office and attend events and conferences, even if they are virtual.
Greg Sanial is the Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. In this episode, Sanial joins Megan Strand to talk about more frequent but shorter Zoom meetings can help everyone support each other and get things done, and why communication and decision-making skills are so critical.
“You’re never going to know everything,” he says. Dealing with decision-making and ambiguity are critical skills for any CBO. It’s hard to learn how to make decisions when you have to base it only on the information you have. “You can’t let that handcuff you…. You have to know when you have enough information to move forward.”
Join us for a conversation with Greg Sanial as he talks about the importance of language around the information you know when making decisions, and why a refresher course in crisis communications might be a good idea for all CBOs.
Melissa Hopp is the Vice President for Finance & Administration at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. In this episode, Hopp joins Megan Strand to talk about the early days of being a CBO and why knowing how to learn and grow with the times is one of the most important development skills for any CBO, no matter where they are in their career.
“The skills, they change,” she says. Whether they’re budgeting skills or learning to work with coworkers, or knowing which details and data to pay attention to, as systems are always updating. “The skills that you have today are not the skills that you’re going to need tomorrow.”
Join us for a conversation with Melissa Hopp as she talks about why understanding personality assessments can help understanding coworkers’ approaches to work, and why there always needs to be heart with your data – remember, people are at the end of every decision.
Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings is the Vice President for Finance & Administration at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. In this episode, Vazquez-Skillings joins Megan Strand to talk about navigating COVID as a marathon, not a sprint, and learning the ropes through the program review process.
“The first leg of the marathon came out of the program review,” she says. They were able to learn to move students across programs and delivery models, train faculty in new technology, and leverage unforeseen opportunities along the way. “We were able to engage students, parents, faculty, and staff in new ways that I think will stick around beyond the pandemic.”
Join us for a conversation with Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings as she talks about learning to move quickly without neglecting what matters along the way, and defining short-term solutions that support long-term initiatives.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about transformation. Although higher education institutions have always had to be creative, flexible, and innovative to achieve their strategic goals, they’ve had to be especially nimble this year. Our CBOs shared some words of wisdom for this time of constant, fast-paced change.
Beth Reissenweber is the Vice President for Administration & Finance at Midwestern State University in North Texas. In this episode, Reissenweber joins Megan Strand to talk about being an essential employee, keeping COVID off campus, and leading with empathy.
“It’s about enjoying the work, engaging folks, and making this a great experience,” she says, “because we spend a lot of our waking hours together at work so we want to have it a pleasant and supportive experience.”
Join us for a conversation with Beth Reissenweber as she talks about doing the work to support diversity, developing a great toolbox to be a better CBO, and using her creative side to develop promotions that helped grow enrollment at Midwestern.
Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about leading through change. Change management is often cited as one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. It involves not only getting everyone on board with change, but also keeping them informed and engaged along the way. Let’s hear from our CBOs on some ways they’ve navigated this challenge in their role.
We’ve been asking each of our interviewees to sum up their thoughts, in less than a minute, on various topics that are top-of-mind for our listeners right now. We’ve collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes and today we’re hearing from business officers about diversity. Hearing and valuing input from people with all types of experiences, perspectives, skills, interests, and backgrounds can lead to an environment rich with innovation and creativity, which, as we’ll hear from our CBOs, is especially impactful to the mission of higher education.
Bill Guerrero is the vice president for finance and administration at Ithaca College. This week on the show, Guerrero joins Megan Strand to talk about cash vs. crisis management and the rise in sharing services between higher ed institutions, and how these initiatives are critical in these times.
“That was kind of unheard of years ago to think of three completely different institutions saying, ‘Let’s work together on some projects’,” he says. “You would think that dining services is a competitive are, but we all buy food from the same places. If you can work together on that, you can get an economy of scale with that.”
Join us for a conversation with Bill Guerrero as he talks about the importance of investing time into your people, keeping open lines of communication to find ways to work together, and why you should only schedule hour long meetings for 45-50 minutes.
Ron Cortez serves as Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chancellor, Division of Finance and Administration, at the University of California at Irvine. This week on the show, Cortez joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the best foot forward in the long run with COVID as a CBO.
"It’s important to try to provide vision during this time of chaos,” he says. “As we’re making lots of change or we’re adapting to different policies or procedures for COVID-19, and as we’re bringing back students and having them go to the classroom, It’s important for a leader to provide the presence of calm and of organization.”
Join us for a conversation with Ron Cortez as he talks about shifting to a world with COVID and focusing on faculty and staff and why a career as a CBO is just as exciting as ever.
Dawn Alston serves as Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer for Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. This week on the show, Alston joins Megan Strand for a conversation on finding humility and patience in leadership through crises such as our current pandemic.
"As I have gone through this process, I feel one of the changes is that I have become more confident,” she says. “There is less time for planning. At first, we had to make strategic decisions very quickly. That leaves little time for self-doubt. … As time has come on, I’ve become more confident not just in myself, but in my teammates and my colleagues. It’s never a one-man show.”
Join us for a conversation with Dawn Alston as she takes us through her first year as CBO at Spelman as the world changed under us all.
Debbie Adishian-Astone serves as Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer for California State University, Fresno, in Fresno, California. This week on the show, Adishian-Astone joins Megan Strand for a conversation on purposefully slowing down, appreciating the small moments, and checking in as campuses navigate the pandemic, as well as learning to appreciate all levels of leadership, including that coming from upcoming CBOs.
“Be ready for those opportunities. Be ready for someone to tap you on the shoulder and consider an opportunity you may not think you’re ready for,” says Adishian-Astone. She believes that it’s important to mentor successors so they’re leaving capable people behind to fill in their shoes. Collaboration is key, and that holds true between mentors and mentees. She says anyone looking to be a CBO needs “to be ready and to have the confidence to lean in and know that you will have that support and that mentorship and encouragement from other leaders because we want to see you succeed and we want to help you succeed.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Debbie Adishian-Astone as she takes us through her career working with a variety of leaders at California State University, Fresno as she helped through leadership transitions with her focus on serving.
Angela Blanton serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This week on the show, Blanton joins Megan Strand for a conversation on patience and understanding with the hybrid education model, the impending shifts in post-secondary education because of COVID, and diversifying the field.
“When you’re uncomfortable, you’re really learning,” says Blanton. Her push for intellectual curiosity is more important than ever with constant shifts in the education model due to the pandemic. As such, she says taking risks is one of the critical skills for CBOs. “Fail fast, learn quickly. Make sure to try things outside your comfort zone because varied experiences help you to be a more creative problem solver.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Angela Blanton as she takes us through her work to ride the COVID disruption in post-secondary education at Carnegie Mellon and challenges the status quo.
Leslie Brunelli serves as Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Treasurer for the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. This week on the show, Brunelli joins Megan Strand for a conversation on flexibility and thoughtful communication as campuses navigate the pandemic, race, and diversity in operations across the organization.
“Representation at the table is important,” says Brunelli. Her campus leadership made a concerted effort to increase development projects that incorporate diverse businesses. As such, new requirements for capital projects have made a significant impact. “This was a small effort on our part, and yet has had such a huge impact on our institution and our community.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Leslie Brunelli as she takes us through her work to maintain cohesion across her teams as the University of Denver rebuilds with an eye on the fall.
David Bea serves as Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration for Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. This week on the show, Bea joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the challenges of teaching, learning, and leading through COVID and more.
“There are two approaches that are core to how I manage,” says Bea. “The first is teaching. If the audience doesn’t understand what I’m talking about, the organization isn’t growing. We’re all educators in that realm. Second, explaining my decisions to my direct reports is important for their development so they can see what the factors are in decisions and how factors are weighted in the final outcome.”
Join us this week for a conversation with David Bea as he takes us through his efforts to lead and educate his team and his institution through crisis and change. Listen for his insights in developing future CBO leaders, even in times of great change.
Ketan Gandhi serves as Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations for Sussex County Community College in Newton, New Jersey. This week on the show, Gandhi joins Megan Strand for a conversation on some of the early lessons learned from this year’s challenges.
“I like our shared decision making, but it does take time,” says Gandhi. “When you know something is efficient, find some way to get it implemented. What we are going through now has told us that the things that are efficient should be implemented immediately. Using technology for the efficiency of operations is the key.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Ketan Gandhi as he takes us through his efforts to grow as a leader in a time of crisis, to step up for those struggling with change. Listen for his insights in developing future CBO leaders, even in times of great change.
Teresa Constantinidis serves as Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This week on the show, Constantinidis joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the impact of COVID-19 on her work as a higher ed leader.
“I’ve had to lean into being a better leader,” she says. “Good leaders communicate a lot. I have really been working on over-communicating during this time. Everyone needs to understand what is going on, why we’re doing things, what we do know and what we don’t know, and how we plan to get answers.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Teresa Constantinidis as she takes us through her efforts to navigate current events for her institution and how her development of higher ed leaders is evolving, what she’s learning, and how she plans to make her impact by helping her team grow.
Susan Allen serves as Vice President for Finance and Administration for Georga College & State University in Milledgeville, Georga. This week on the show, Allen joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the universe of factors impacting higher education’s immediate future.
“The biggest factor that we’ll see is that high school graduation pipeline that we’re already seeing in other states,” she says. “I know for Georgia, we’re expecting a 13% decline starting from 2025 and probably peaking in 2031 and that is significant; that’s the size of a small or mid-sized institution. The demographic shifts are going to change the face of higher education and what we do."
Join us this week for a conversation with Susan Allen as she takes us through her experience with the changes influencing her decisions from demographics to technology, curriculum delivery, infrastructure changes, and creative leadership through revenue stream challenges and opportunities ahead.
Craig Hadley serves as Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer for Husson University in Bangor, Maine. This week on the show, Hadley joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the pressures of attempting to diversify in a state challenged with a paucity of diversity itself. As a result, Hadley has instituted a number of interesting strategies from which we can all learn.
“What I’ve tried to do here is build an internal feeder system,” he says. “We’ve been active in building a network of graduate assistants with external experience and internships. For student employees we look to hire and bolster into our workforce, we look to those students with external experience who can be job-ready.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Craig Hadley as he takes us through his efforts to promote a culture of learning from failure, developing talent, and improving communication across the institution and beyond.
Sherri Newcomb serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Queensboro Campus of the City University of New York. This week on the show, Newcomb joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the pressures forcing institutions to adapt quickly in very short order.
“It’s an elaborate process to change curriculum, for example, to introduce new programs and sunset old programs,” she says. “There decades invested in the way things operate now, there are lots of constraints around scheduling and faculty resources … sometimes you have to wait for a crisis in order to capitalize on that crisis.”
Join us this week for a conversation with Sherri Newcomb as she takes us through her efforts to promote a culture of experimentation and good faith, learn from mistakes, and build a diverse culture across the campus.
David English serves as Vice President for Finance and Management for Denison University in Granville, Ohio. This week on the show, English joins Megan Strand for a conversation on preparing not just for the next decade, but for the next fifty years and beyond.
In the near term, he says we have to live through the legacy of amenity competition. “Before 2008, industry wide, we were able to increase amenities and pass those on,” David says. “For the last 10 years we’ve been laboring under these cost structures and many universities have had to cut back in order to just continue to pay essential costs. At the same time we face more expectations from our families and students.”
Join us this week for a conversation with David English as he takes us through his efforts to promote diversity, recruit some of the “sharper elbows” that come from outside academia, and the critical importance that CBOs play on campus beyond their foundational skills in the numbers.
Aaron Howell serves as Vice President of Business and Finance and CFO at Averett University in Danville, Virginia. This week on the show, Howell joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the changes and challenges facing the future of higher education.
“We all know what the demographics look like over the next six to ten years,” says Howell. “It’s going to create different levels of competition than we’ve seen over the last twenty years at least … that competition does interesting things.” He shares Virginia’s story of the shrinking pie of available students and how the economic and demographic challenges are forcing CBOs in the state to be more agile.
Business officers are in a unique opportunity to craft the next generation of finance leaders. His take: don’t just recruit for diversity, but create an environment in which you’re retaining your diverse staff, too. Join us this week for more lessons from seasoned finance leader Aaron Howell!
Laura Hubbard serves as Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University at Buffalo. This week on the show, Hubbard joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the issues most impacting the way colleges and universities do business over the next decade.
For Hubbard, that conversation starts with access. “I feel like we’re at a crossroads,” she says, “there are increasing challenges in getting a college education and increasing disparities about who gets access… what it costs, who’s advantaged and disadvantaged in getting their foot in the door.”
Business officers need to be scrappy, she says. Building the next generation of leaders is rooted in building functional expertise, and turning those experts into leaders. Listen in to hear how Hubbard is preparing her institution for a future of opportunity and uncertainty.
Robert Moore serves as Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This week on the show, Moore joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the coming wave of change to higher education. For Moore, it all starts with cost.
The economic model has to change, says Moore. While privates are seeing net tuition revenue fall due in part to increased merit aid, public institutions are facing direct impacts from state revenue contribution declines. The bottom line: “Fewer and fewer people are willing to pay what has traditionally been the model of higher education.”
Moore sees higher education as a significant platform and opportunity for change and offers his field as one ripe for new, young and diverse talent who are eager to solve complex problems. Listen in to hear some of his more important, on-the-job lessons in hiring the right people and creating a culture of inclusive communication.
Susan Scroggins serves as Senior Vice President for Finance at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. This week on the show, Scroggins joins Megan Strand for a conversation on the dramatic trends that are shaping higher education institutions — public and private alike — from demographic changes to budgetary changes to technology and student expectations and beyond.
The Boomers are retiring, says Scroggins. It’s time to listen and promote diverse points of view to best fill the pipeline of young talent to take over as future leaders. Thanks to development programs from NACUBO and others, there is a growing pool of talent from which to choose. Join us today to learn from a senior administrator and hear lessons learned from her career highs … and lows!
Karen VanDerhoof serves as Vice President of Business and Finance at County College of Morris in Randolf, New Jersey. This week on the show, VanDerhoof joins Megan Strand for a conversation on leadership, mentorship, and the critical role of integrity in maintaining relationships and performance across the organization.
She teaches her younger staff the value of soft skills — from change management to building teams and collaboration — and shares her strategies for successful growth in the field that you can’t get in the classroom. Join us today to learn the unique value the community college provides to the community at large!
Michael Hager serves as senior vice president for finance and operations at the University of Northern Iowa. He brought 20 years of student affairs experience to the CBO role, making the transition to the business office as a bridge between the student experience and operations. Surprises? Not many, says Hager. “I was a little more surprised the approach was focused on operations and not students … the student experience I brought from that role helped us in this division.”
At Northern Iowa, Hager has been building his bench strength of future CBO leadership since day one on the job. While he says the media has beaten up higher education, new team members coming into his organization are energetic, collaborative, and excited to bring positive change to the institution. “I’m not seeing the same kind of beat down mentality from the new people coming in… it’s exciting to see them looking at things a little bit differently.”
Join us to hear how Hager learned the ropes of the business office and create an organization that is diverse and energized for change.
Carolyn Head serves as senior vice president and CFO at Lewis University. She came to higher education from the practice side of the healthcare field. From there, she landed in operations in a college of medicine and discovered that higher education was her calling. Through the challenges in the field, her infectious optimism helps her and her team to steer through difficult times.
At Lewis, the leadership team has pivoted to focus on their most important programs in graduate education and health sciences. And opportunities ahead? “Adult education! That’s one of the areas that’s really going and if we can think of innovative ways to attract that population, it would really be good and profitable for our institutions — it’s something the country really needs in terms of retraining and additional education … taking it to the next step.”
Join us to hear how Head learned the ropes of higher education and her take on changing demographics and finance facing the University, and the field.
Al Little serves as vice president of business services at Florida State College at Jacksonville. He brings his experience as an auditor assigned to the higher ed space as his entre to our field. That experience kickstarted a rich CBO career that continues to expand today.
In our conversation today, Al Little shares his insights into mentorship and how to hire and cultivate an engaged and capable staff. “Not everyone makes a great CBO, but everyone is fulfilling a very important role and there are always things to learn through professional development.” His optimism is contagious as he shares his thoughts on the next generation of CBOs and his role in helping them to shine in the future.
Gary Logan serves as vice president for finance and administration at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He found higher education not as a CBO initially, but as an accounting service service provider whose clients were institutions. He made the transition to higher ed and leads a division with authenticity and transparency.
In our conversation today, Logan introduces us to the “rule of the angry eight,” and the leadership and diplomatic tools he uses to engage his campus with an orientation of appreciation of the institution's legacy, and a drive toward a rich future.
Derrick Singleton serves as vice president of operations and sustainability at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Berea offers one of the more interesting models of any institution we’ve profiled on this show: they charge no tuition to their students. What arises from that sort of promise to students? As Singleton says of their financial concerns, “we are not immune.”
His background in corporate finance served his urge to work for a non-profit. From Coors to Sherwin-Williams to Berea College marks a unique journey for this CBO, and a unique story for the rest of us.
Nancy Schoonmaker serves as vice president and chief financial officer for Indiana Wesleyan University. When she landed there, she’d had no experience in higher education, coming from a position at a local mega-church where she’d been happily employed. But the call to serve IWU was strong, so she jumped in to learn the ropes of higher education and in the process brought her unique experience to her leadership at the institution.
She learned unique accounting structures, shared governance, and a balance of perspectives across constituencies. It’s been challenging, but her experience brings a unique story and one of interest to CBOs new and experienced alike.
Harold Hewitt serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Chapman University. After an academic career spanning philosophy, religious studies, and a clear path to professorship, Hewitt suffered a transformational ah-ha moment: “I discovered I didn’t like teaching.” But what does one do when so deeply invested in higher education, minus the drive to teach?
“I asked for help… and I was given the opportunity to interview the various administrators,” at the Claremont Colleges. “The path for me was on the operations side.” Hewitt’s experience illustrates one of so many paths into the CBO role. He entered the MBA program and “came out of that experience with a real focus and a real sense of how I wanted to contribute to higher education.”
This week on the show, Hewitt shares the arc of his career, including his rich experience at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, and the lessons of performance that inform the CBO he is today.
Darrell Bazzell serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at University of Texas at Austin. Two decades in public service taught Darrell Bazzell a few things. His experience working with governors and policy makers helped him navigate government and thus how to move projects forward in academia. “I think the thing that really carried forward was the ability to think broadly, to quickly diagnose an issue,” says Bazzell. “I understood how fiscal and administrative matters worked on a policy level. … being a creative problem solver is the skill that translated the most.”
This week on the show, Bazzell tells of his work navigating the waters of shared governance in light of decision making and leadership. He shares observations to help new CBOs around autonomy and ownership, and how to learn your institution’s inner workings in an effort to get things done as your portfolio — inevitably — grows!
ASU Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Morgan Olsen faces the value proposition of higher ed and works to drive change in public and stakeholder perception. He’s served higher education for over 30 years, but he cut his teeth on higher ed in public service, serving on the state board of education. The difference is striking. “Perhaps the biggest thing that’s changed … is the placement of higher education in society,” Olsen says. “When I was starting, higher education was something to aspire to, to achieve. … I think there are more questions about the value proposition of higher education. … As leaders of higher education, those are the things we need to be concerned about.”
This week on the show, Olsen shares how his experience has helped him in communicating clearly and proactively with the variety of key stakeholders in his universe. He shares the story of his partnership with Starbucks as a key relationship and example of new methods to meet potential students where they are. From strong mentor relationships to stakeholder management, Morgan Olsen has much to share — we hope you’ll join us for the full conversation today!
SVP for Administration and Finance at George Mason University JJ Davis says the community deserves the credit for facing the most daunting challenges. Stakeholders bring creativity and goodwill and when presented with new problems, they work together to bring change.
Davis’ years in public service working with elected officials on public policy issues led her eventually to higher education by way of adjunct teaching. That portfolio of skills enabled her to see beyond the tactics of financial service.
This week on the show, learn how education changes lives generationally, and how mentorship can lead each of us to become change agents in the lives of others.
Robert Keasler serves as Vice President for Administration and Finance Shenandoah University in Winchester Virginia, but he started about as far from higher education as he could manage. “I started in a textile mill… I ended up in textiles for five years or more,” says Keasler. “I ended up in higher education by happenstance as well.”
He says it’s not his job to protect the assets of the university, rather to use those assets efficiently and effectively in service of the mission. That perspective has served him well in his higher education career.
“We’re entering such an exciting period in our industry,” says Keasler. “It will be stressful. It will be difficult. But I don’t know that there’s been as much opportunity for all sorts of institutions as there used to be.”
Experimentation is central to success for University of Alabama Vice President of Financial Affairs, Matt Fajack. After 21 years in the private sector, Fajack has been on a 14-year journey of exploration himself in higher education. Over the years, he's discovered that interests aren't always aligned, that everyone is in higher ed for different reasons, be it research, public service, growth, and more. As CBO, it's sometimes challenging to align intentions around key initiatives.
His effort day-to-day is in creating programs that both inspire, and build incentive to try new things across the institution, to build consensus, and create an environment that celebrates change in the lives of students.
Education is a noble profession, says Fajack, "it can change the trajectory of peoples' lives."
Coming to finance from politics has offered this week's guest a special perspective on data, and adaptation in higher ed. Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer for University of Colorado, Kelly Fox brings a public policy background to her finance work in higher education. She brings her savvy for data-based decision-making to her work in leadership, looking for ways to lead her institution in their efforts to adapt to an ever-changing student body.
On the verge of retirement after a career as a CBO, Enterprise State Community College Dean of Finance and Administration Alonzetta Landrum-Simms shares valuable lessons for those who follow in her professional footsteps. Landrum-Simms shares her accomplishments as CBO, as well as her challenges and those facing CBOs following in her footsteps. The industry is changing, she says, and it’s incumbent on all new CBOs to be open to a career of learning, exploration, and change.
Tokumbo Shobowale serves as Chief Operating Officer at The New School. How do you navigate from Chief Operating Officer for the City of New York into higher education? By cultivating a network of experienced communicators inside and outside higher education. With his public sector experience, Shobowale has been exposed to the broader impact of higher education on his city and the value that institutions bring to a thriving economy. Today, he joins us to share his experience in adapting across sectors and how the value of listening can go along way to driving initiatives and achieving goals.
Brett Sweet serves as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Vanderbilt University. He’s a former submariner and special projects officer with the National Security Agency, so you might understand why he refers to himself as “the accidental CFO.” This week on the show, Brett shares the winding road that led him from the military to higher ed.
Brett’s experience in higher education has led him to some of his more interesting lessons. “There’s this view that if someone didn’t grow up in higher ed… maybe they don’t have anything to contribute here,” Brett says. “We have to be careful to be more open-minded. You get a greater diversity of thought, opinion and frankly experiences. We have to be more open-minded in what [outsiders] can provide.”
Brett’s story is inspirational, not just as an example of the service mentality, but as a model for someone who has enthusiasm and passion for the job day to day. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Vanderbilt’s Brett Sweet.
Joe Mazur serves as vice president of administration and finance at College of Central Florida. His path was clearly winding its way through corporate accounting when he found himself in higher education. His six month temporary stint has lead to 19 years and counting. What keeps him in the field? Quality of life and job satisfaction, says Mazur.
Catering to a wide variety of demographics in their student population with a large rural draw, Mazur says their challenges and opportunities are plenty. Their partnership with local regulatory bodies have made for great opportunities for students and business alike. This week on CBO Speaks, hear how College of Central Florida has diversified offerings to cater to an even more diverse workforce.
Gaye Manning has served Southern Arkansas University Tech for over 33 years. Today, as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, she’s faced with navigating the challenges of enrollment decline, significant budget cuts, and services reductions, and has managed to work with her team to do just that without cutting a single member of staff as a result.
Today on the show, Manning shares her love of higher education, of the friendships she has cultivated on her leadership team and the proud legacy of her institution as one of the original two-year schools in Arkansas. “I’ve never, ever had a thought about leaving higher ed. This is the perfect fit for me!”
Nicole Trufant serves as Vice President of Finance and Administration for University of New England. It’s one of the fastest growing schools in the country, recently opening three new colleges, growing 40% online presence, and a new extension campus in Tangiers, Morocco.
“I have experienced every emotion… except for boredom,” she says.
Unlike so many of our CBO guests, Trufant says she has education in her blood. She comes from a family of teachers. And her grandfather? He served as custodian at her own institution! This week on the show, Trufant shares her story of navigating higher ed, mentorship, and promotion and learning the ropes of such a diverse role.
Central Methodist University CBO Julee Sherman has seen it all. Since she’s started as a business manager in 1985, she’s helped to maintain a leadership role in student success measures, from building the first 2+2 program in collaboration with the state in the late 90s to innovative online initiatives today. And it’s those partnerships that make the place thrive.
Strategy, HR, facilities and construction, Mrs. Sherman helps to drive the growth of CMU’s operations online, and off. Today on the show, we’ll learn how a long-standing leader keeps student success in sight through patience, partnership, and a love for higher ed.
Barbie Jefferson serves as chief financial officer for Wofford College in South Carolina and celebrates the broad variety of challenges before here. From dining to facilities and construction management to, of course, ensuring the college is on a sound financial path, her team make the college a better place for students, faculty, and staff.
Her biggest lesson, count on the expertise of mentors who have come before you to learn the ropes and responsibilities. Listen in this week to hear more about the biggest challenges facing her as CBO and how her tools of inspiration help keep her focused on the role and her mission to the institution.
Choi Halladay serves as Vice President for Administrative Services at Pierce College. He found his way into higher education first as a faculty member in economics and finance as a way to make up for his student experience with “too many bad teachers!” He started his career in higher ed as a faculty member, learning the ins and outs of the instructional side of the institution.
His experience in the faculty ranks has directly influenced his perspective as CBO. “I take my role as CBO as someone who wants to teach the institution about the kinds of policies we want to put into place,” he says. “I use my background in instruction to talk and teach” about the decisions made on campus.
This week on CBO Speaks, learn about the role of teaching as a key part of developing an engaged community of leaders, plus insights into shared governance, mentorship, and the value of the community college to the robust higher education experience!
As it turns out, fortuitous accidents can kickstart incredibly rewarding careers. From her work in public service, University of Maryland Baltimore County Vice President for Finance and Administration Lynne Schaefer picked her field of study out of a hat. On the show today, Schaefer shares the story of her discovery of higher education and the rewards that have come with it personally and professionally.
Her most significant key learnings today are all around the people. Building trust in her team as a finance leader through transparency and clear communication leads to great camaraderie in future projects, and directly impacts her success in working across departments and leaders, shared governance, and board leadership. This week on CBO Speaks, Schaefer offers insights for leaders, mentors, mentees, and anyone looking to build a career that mixes the art and science of communication, leadership, and finance!
Hospitality and higher education have a striking degree of similarity says Lynn Valenter, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations as Washington State University Vancouver. From facilities to customer service to security and police, Valenter brings experience from her first career in hospitality services to her role as CBO every day.
Valenter shares her focus on public-private and public-public partnerships as a key strategy for supporting growth for the institution. Her advice for new CBOs coming from the private sector? Understand shared governance: “It’s completely non-intuitive coming from the private sector.” This week on CBO Speaks, this seasoned CBO offers insights for mentors and mentees, resources for ongoing professional development that may come as a surprise, and the critical role of developing a broad functional understanding of departments beyond finance.
Hezekiah “Heze” Simmons serves as CFO and Vice President for Administrative Services for Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. Before serving as CBO, he would have been as surprised as anyone on being asked to lead the charge to build a new college campus. But Simmons is all about stretch goals, and that very college campus is on schedule and under budget, targeting a September opening.
This week on CBO Speaks, Simmons shares his recipe for success as a CBO. His is a story of alliances, both inside the college and in the community beyond. It’s a story of transparency, ensuring that his responsibilities serve the intention and process of shared governance. And it’s a story of mentorship, using his experience as a mentee at Xerox as a model for becoming a mentor himself.
For Dawn Rhodes, shared governance made for a big transition as she moved from the private sector into higher education. “That first time you go through that process and try to get a decision made, you’re asking yourself, why is this taking so long?” But the value of the shared governance model, the balance and transparency offer key benefits in her role as chief business and finance officer and vice president for administration and finance for University of Maryland, Baltimore.
As CBO, investing her time with mentors has given her the opportunity to see far beyond her role in finance. Community relations, academic development, they’re all fair game in her search for innovation that can be applied at UMB.
This week on CBO Speaks, Rhodes joins Megan Strand to share all this, and her perspective on the biggest threat facing not only CBOs, but higher education as a whole. Join us and learn more from this seasoned expert in our field!
After 23 years at University of Redlands, CBO Phil Doolittle was ready for something new. He found it in Brandman University and their target population, adult learners. Today, he serves Brandman as executive vice chancellor of finance and administration and chief financial officer.
We’ve created an environment were innovations are accepted and embraced by all the constituents including faculty,” says Doolittle. “What was most successful about this is the way the organization restructured in order to create a space where the programs for adult learners could be innovative and focus on effectiveness.”
How does the population impact the CBO role? “I have all the traditional functions that one would have,” he says. “One difference is that we have 28 smaller campuses that have to be managed … I no longer have one large central campus to operate.”
In addition, Doolittle has seen his role evolve into working to develop new infrastructure and systems around education delivery such as their industry leading competency based education system.
This week on the show, learn how Brandman has evolved, bringing the best of efficiency and process development of the private sector to the best of academic delivery for the growing adult education segment.
Craig Woody serves as vice chancellor for finance and business at the University of Denver, and in his over-30-year tenure at the institution, he’s seen a lot of change. “Half our footprint is new in the last 20 years,” he says.
With new infrastructure, comes new leadership, new strategic plans, and a shifting board. Woody celebrates his place in an organization that has learned to work together, to celebrate strengths of the broader team.
“The role of the CBO is more about understanding the finances of the university, understanding the resources we have to pursue whatever the strategic direction is,” says Woody, “and I’ll tell you the truth. I feel that my role is enhanced because of the quality of people I have at a lateral level. … I’m more than happy to have a more specifically defined role because we have areas of expertise beyond what I can do, being done by people who have done it before, or can do it a lot better than I can.”
This week on the show, Woody shares his path from controller to CBO, along with just a few of the opportunities he’s had to help grow the University of Denver in partnership with his own team. “There is nothing better than to give somebody the opportunity to present either to a standing committee of the board or the chancellor and the provost, and let them take credit for the good work that their doing.”
In her role as vice president for administration and finance at Presbyterian College, Susan Maddux practices both the skill, and the art of the CBO.
“When I first entered the profession it was much more about crunching the numbers and giving presentations to the board of trustees and making sure the budget got balanced, and now it is much more relationship driven,” she says. “When I first started, it was much more black and white than it is today.”
This week on CBO Speaks, Maddux shares her journey into the role, including her experience in public accounting, and how that experience has shaped her work at PC. For aspiring CBOs, she offers sage advice for growing the right skills to build relationships crucial to success in our field.
Michael Mayher came to Lakeland Community College by way of big accounting. After weathering the whims of mergers and downsizing, he networked his way into business services and fell for it completely. Fifteen years later, he serves as executive vice president for administrative services and treasurer, and loves the CBO job today every bit as much as the day he started. “I love being a CBO. I mean, I’m serious,” he says. “I love challenges and this job is all about challenges.”
His biggest surprise in moving from corporate to campus? How collaborative institutions are. “We may compete for the same student but at least where I am we’re very collaborative in many efforts and try to work together on things. It’s a huge difference culturally.”
This week on the show, learn what keeps a seasoned CBO up at night, the kinds of challenges that fuel and inspire the work, and discover a key tool that will help you better understand yourself, and therein help you better communicate and work with others.
For Mike Gower, the world of public accounting gave him key insights and new perspectives when approaching financial challenges of his higher ed projects. It is that broad horizon that led him into the role of executive vice president for finance and administration and treasurer for Rutgers University.
Gower faces change, but says driving change across sometimes competing cultures and systems can be much harder than we anticipate.
“As much as we want to bring best practices to people, everyone has to learn those things, and get comfortable with it,” says Gower. “Setting the stage whereby people can be confused, can go through the change in a reasonable fashion, not just expect that it’s going to happen the next day. … Telling the truth about that is the most important thing.”
This week on CBO Speaks, Gower shares the story of merging two major research institutions into one, and the obstacles and opportunities that graced the CBO’s office along the way.
“The merger officially took place a little over three years ago. We’re only just now getting through the systems, the business practices, the other changes taking place,” says Gower. “We’re creating a new culture — what I call the NEW Rutgers — transforming what we do in terms of running a university.”
Gerald Whittington can thank Richard Nixon for his career. It was 1968, and Whittington was a freshman. Amidst campus protests to the Vietnam War, he received a letter that, perhaps for the first time, connected national politics, fiscal policy, and education, directly to his personal trajectory. This is how our conversation begins today, but his journey to senior vice president for business, finance and technology at Elon University gets even more interesting from there.
Whittington builds a case for a broad liberal arts education for aspiring CBOs that includes the financial skills classes — of course — but literature, music, and theater by equal measure, all to develop skills he observed as lacking in his CBO models of the day. Learn to perform, to develop and defend your positions, and to adapt to different situations, he says.
Finally, and critically, we have to approach our role as mentors with purpose and intention. “We, in higher education, don’t hoard our knowledge like some sort of trade secret,” says Whittington. “We share our information for the betterment of the entire educational enterprise, and we as chief business officers shouldn’t be immune from that impulse.”
Joanne Yestramski hasn’t always been in higher ed, and it’s that long road away from the field that led her back to her role at her alma mater, vice chancellor of finance and operations at U. Mass Lowell.
“I couldn’t believe my fortune,” she says, “to be able to come back and serve my alma mater in this very special time in the institution’s success story.”
For Yestramski, the decision to transition out of the private sector hinged on the mission. “There’s much more of a short term planning cycle. When’s the next merger, when’s the next opportunity to liquidate your shares,” she says. “In higher ed has this wonderful mission and a time frame in perpetuity… a very long term view of strategic planning and an opportunity to give back like I want to give back as a person in my career — versus making other people wealthy.”
This week on CBO Speaks, learn how Yestramski navigates governance and board relationships on a strong leadership team. Hear her perspective on making a contribution to a legacy institution through focus on the strategic plan. Finally, hear her inspirational perspective of managing her people through teamwork, courage, and persistence.
CBO Barbara Larson took a winding road into finance administration. She landed in her executive vice president for finance and administrative services at Johnson County Community College through environmental economics and solar manufacturing. But the allure of the campus was too great to resist, and within a few years, she brought the breadth of her skills to the community college.
“I’ve learned to ask questions when I don’t know, and I hope I’m a good listener,” Larson says. “I work hard to understand other people’s perspectives and attempt to contribute where I can.”
Her mentor experiences drive her leadership style today, having learned from a past president and career journalist the skills of asking thorough questions to understand complex issues. “Change is a challenge anywhere you go.” At the community college however, “we’re better suited to respond quickly in a continuing education environment. … That’s an advantage we have because the structures are already there.”
Randy Gentzler serves as vice president for finance and administration at Loyola University Maryland today, but higher education has never let him stray too far. After a career in higher ed finance starting on the accounting track straight out of college, he counts the variety of roles in higher education and strong mentor relationships as the keys to his success as a CBO.
As a mentor himself today, Gentzler notes what he’s looking for in a mentee. “I’m looking for a broad thinker, technically competent, I want somebody who wants my job. … It’s important to our profession and our industry that we are preparing individuals to take over our roles as we move forward.”
Gentzler shares his excitement for new projects that propel his institution forward, from new technology, procurement systems, and new tools to help collect and use financial data to tell the story of his institution more effectively. His enthusiasm is infectious — join us today and learn from a best-in-class CBO at work!
Brett Dalton serves as vice president for finance and operations today, but it’s been a long road to the role. He started in economics at the institution as a graduate student. His connections at the school opened his eyes to the value of higher education.
“I realized that higher education provided the things that interested and motivated me about how higher education can transform individual lives, transform communities and societies in a positive way,” says Dalton. “There aren’t a lot of industries that can claim to improve lives and improve the human condition like higher ed can.”
Today on the show, Dalton shares his views on change in the industry, technology and access to resources that offer opportunity in spite of grand uncertainty ahead. Join us!
Lynn Coleman is the vice president of administration and finance for Howard Community College, having served the school since 1986. Today, she is responsible for building, safeguarding, and guiding the college’s physical, financial, and human infrastructure. Under her leadership, the administration and finance division has helped Howard become the fastest growing community college in Maryland.
"One of the things that I learned early on is that you had to hire good people to work under you,” says Coleman, “and I rely on them every day to do my job.”
Today on the show, Lynn Coleman shares the unique challenges of the community college environment that fuels her, and offers insights into cultivating a culture of collaboration between diverse groups and interests. Join us!
Vice President for Finance and Administration for Davidson College Ed Kania landed in higher ed thanks to the luck of the economic downturn. Knowing nothing of higher education offered him the benefit of a new view, and awareness of the state of infrastructure of his new institution along with the opportunities for growth and improvement therein.
“People skills were extremely important. My department had poor relationships across the entire campus. At the same time, people made the assumption that because you were a CPA, all you cared about was money. They didn’t understand that CPA’s are multi-dimensional people.” Engagement to challenge these early assumptions was key in becoming a partner as CBO, Kania says.
This week on the show, Kania shares his hard-won lessons in driving community in administration, listening, and patience, and offers guidance for CBOs new and seasoned alike in building their own partnerships in leadership.
Middlesex County College Vice President of Finance and Administration Sue Perkins was one of only two women Vice Presidents in community colleges when she took on the role. Things have changed today, thanks to hard work, persistence, and deep collaboration with a growing network of higher education professionals.
"When I look back on my career path, I realize now how important it was to talk to people, to get involved in other areas before they became my responsibility," says Perkins. She volunteered actively in areas beyond finance to learn the functions, and become comfortable in those areas well before they became her responsibility.
Beyond the college, says Perkins, get involved in NACUBO for the networking, for discovering the people to serve as your role models, both at your level and beyond.
Join us this week for a fantastic conversation with Sue Perkins on mentorship, networking, and the power of understanding politics on furthering the mission of your institution!
CBO Arch Asawa’s first job in education happened to be one of many firsts. As vice president of finance at Soka University, he joined the administrative team in building the liberal arts institution from scratch. As a start-up, the challenges he faced came plenty, and fast, from building staff, vetting and hiring faculty, and crafting programs to create a best in class education experience.
“I knew nothing about higher education,” says Asawa. After attending his first association meeting, “I knew these were my people.” Asawa built a network of other professionals through his involvement in NACUBO and WACUBO to support him in building the financial organization that he oversees today.
CBO Connie Kanter knows something about rapid innovation. In fact, her role at Seattle U. is her first role in education after a career in a high tech start-up. “You have to roll your shirt sleeves up and everybody does everything. You’re living in a constrained environment.” That the rules of finance in a start-up are so similar to the rules of finance in higher education are where the parallels begin.
Kanter shares her insights into working as a CBO with an inclination toward curiosity, to asking the right questions and inviting the right participants to the table with facing difficult challenges. The story of engagement at Seattle U is a model for others toward building strong relationships across the aisles. Join us!
“The secret of being a great financial officer is being able to talk to anyoneabout anything,” says today’s guest. And with over 40 years tenure at Spelman College, VP of Business and Financial Affairs, Robert “Danny” Flanigan, knows a thing or two about talking finance to a wide range of interests.
Flanigan shares his insights on the evolution of the CBO role. In the old days, financial officers “were accountants. They didn’t engage with the community or students.” But the role has changed. Today, the CBO is a partner to the president, says Flanigan, and in today’s conversation, he discusses the impact that the CBO has on the institution, and most importantly, the great joy he gets out of being a key part of his school.
Cal Poly Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Cindy Villa is new to the university but not to the role. Her recent transition to CalPoly after 28 years at another institution affords her a unique perspective on administrative leadership and change. “Our role over the years has evolved. A CBO now has to be far more entrepreneurial — you have to be creative and willing to take risks.”
This week on CBO Speaks, Villa highlights the change in the role of the CBO, the industry, and how to grapple with diversifying revenue streams and increasing efficiency within the traditional model of higher education while adapting to creative solutions and new models to address new student markets.
Prairie View A&M Senior Vice President of Business Affairs Corey Bradford assumed he was on track for a career in corporate America, but the reward of working in higher education was too great to deny. Bradford’s first professional role was in the budget office, in fact, and he worked into the CBO role from there. From continuing education to on-the-job experience in campus crisis management, Bradford shares his insights in growing into finance leadership, campus growth, and deep mission-level investment in the broader civic community economic development. “I spend a good deal of my time trying to spur on private development within the community to help the overall quality of life for students, faculty, and staff.” Bradford’s example of public-private partnership is one from which we can all learn!
Boise State Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Pearson brings robust experience from her career to her role in higher education. Boise State’s growth is the result of smart leadership across the institution, according to Pearson, and this has prepared them to be more nimble, able to face whatever economic, social, and political challenges lay ahead. Most important, Pearson shares her valued perspective on the role of the CBO as a rewarding career for future finance leaders to enter with intention. “A lot of students say, ‘no, I really hadn’t thought of higher ed as a career,’ so I think we could do a better job of attracting people early in their careers to higher education. I find it to be such a satisfying career… There’s still a lot to learn!” Join us for a conversation with another progressive and inspirational leader!
You might not think of big pharma as a launchpad for a successful CBO, but that’s the path of our guest, Mike Mandl. As EVP for Business and Administration at Emory University, Mike brings a rich experience across industries to his work as an institutional leader. His early exploration led to a decades-long commitment to “a cause bigger than myself,” says Mandl. Today on CBO Speaks, shares how he takes his experience in financial leadership to partner across departments to help build creative solutions with his academic peers. “My whole mind is oriented to: where do we want to get to, and how do we lead people, processes, and resources to do that. It’s more about people than it is about money.” Join us for a conversation with an inspirational leader in our CBO ranks.
Amir Rahnamay-Azar is unique in our collection of interviews; he’s the first we’ve come across who aspired to business administration early in his career, rather than coming to financial leadership accidentally. He sees his team at Carnegie Mellon University as a group of friends and colleagues, equally adept in financial and strategic management as they are committed to the team’s role in financial leadership of the institution. This week on the show, we have a conversation that illustrates the opportunities that come with the change in our field through a visionary leader and a team that is active in moving their institution forward.
Brian Gutierrez has served as vice chancellor for finance and administration for Texas Christian University for over a decade. Like most CBOs, his responsibilities range from contracts, to risk, to audit management, all the way to the bookstore operations. What makes Gutierrez unique is his approach to working with his people. He espouses the critical importance of developing emotional intelligence, and he uses his own experience to listen more attentively, to sense the unspoken challenges his team faces, and to communicate in a language of balance with those around him. This week on the show, we offer a fascinating conversation that illuminates ways to communicate how we feel about our projects, work, and challenges, and how a seasoned CBO uses these observations to motivate and inspire.
Dr. Betty Roberts has only been vice president for finance & administration at New Rochelle for about a year. But in her 30 years prior, she’s served as an operational leader across institutions and departments. From information technology to sustainability to finance and organization development, she’s seen it all. And that, she says, is a great gift — it serves to define the role of today’s CBO. Now, she’s giving back. In today’s episode, join us and hear how Betty Roberts identifies future leaders, how she provides opportunities for learning and experience, and how she gifts them with the one thing she’s been so grateful to have of her own mentors: trust.
Mike Unebasami has been with the University of Hawaii system in some way or another since 1968. Today, he serves as associate vice president for administrative affairs for University of Hawaii community colleges, but his long tenure in the system has given him a view of change unlike most in our industry and his insights as a result are that much more transformative. As many have reported in this series, the challenges of the job are rich in communication and human relations far beyond the rigors of finance. In this conversation however, Unebasami shares specifically who to know to make your job as a CBO easier! Join us this week for a powerful through the history of the role of CBO, the importance of diversity of experience and thought in creating a creative leadership culture, and the importance of being a strong representative for a strong team!
This week, our CBO brings his global finance experience to Ithaca College. Gerald Hector hails from Kingston, Jamaica, originally a college athlete, serving non-profits through his first corporate role at Deloitte & Touche. His experience there lifted his profile, leading to an invitation to join the higher education community. It’s a fascinating conversation this week as Hector shares his insights from a 13-year career as a business officer. He believes that the pace of higher ed is not slow, rather purposeful, which leads to more deliberate debate in engaging students and changing lives. According to Hector, the role of the business officer has changed, broadening in scope and scale, and the skills required to navigate the role are many. Join us this week for a discussion around the key skills and experience required, but more importantly the willingness to engage directly with students to grow and evolve the community.
This week's featured CBO, Mary Lou Merkt, is a seasoned higher ed veteran. She brings a wealth of experience across two other prestigious institutions to her current role as vice president for finance and administration at Furman University. Today, Merkt joins Megan Strand to share her experience in strategically developing her team. She talks about the importance of recognition — especially through difficult decisions, those good for the university, but sometimes challenging for the team — and the role of trust in developing future leaders. Join us this week for a rich discussion around the transformative impact of the CBO, and growing the field for talented women finance leaders this week on CBO Speaks!
University of Arizona Chief Financial Officer Gregg Goldman takes on change in gulps, not bites. Coming to the CBO role from the at the UA from the USC Marshall School where he served as a Dean and CFO in January of this year, he's taking on new functions and demands across the institution at a steady clip. His background in academic leadership makes Goldman a unique pick for CBO, but he says it's what makes him successful in the role. This week on CBO Speaks, Goldman recounts the fascinating career journey that brought him to the UA, and says presidents are on the right track looking for CBOs from outside the more traditional finance ranks. Diversity of experience leads to more creativity when facing the incredible complexity of todays institution.
Dr. Brontè Jones joined Dickinson College because of the institution's demonstrated commitment to sustainability and global affairs. What she found there is a team dedicated to educational success. In this episode of CBO Speaks, Dr. Jones shares her perspective on the power of communication in her role, the importance of being able to comfortably and clearly translate complex financial realities into the language of her constituencies. Coming from a deep family of educators has given Dr. Jones a unique perspective on what it means to be a strong institutional leader — in finance and beyond. We hope you'll listen in and learn from Dr. Brontè Jones.
Roger Bruszewski will begin his 39th year in higher ed this fall. In his role as VP for Finance and Administration for Millersville University, he's seen a world of challenge and opportunity. But the winding path of his career from chief information officer(Yes, CIO — you read that right!) has given him keen insights into the role of managing people, mentorship, and the stamp of legacy of the CBO in the physical structure of the institution. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on growing your people and shaping a campus for the next half century.
Nikki Krawitz has spent a career in education dedicated to refining the teaching and learning process. This week on CBO Speaks, Nikki joins us to share her journey from educator to finance leader at University of Missouri. From her work with presidents and board members, she offers insight into the importance of adaptability and delivering quality service in the face of sometimes fierce constraints.
Nim Chinniah's new role as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Northwestern University is broad in scope and scale. This week on CBO Speaks, Nim joins us to talk about the critical importance of partnership across the business office and the office of the provost. He's worked hard to break down silos and offers his insight into creating a more fluid, cross-institutional practice of collaboration in cultivating growth and success at Northwestern.