Cbo Speaks

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 (

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 incom

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 lead

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.   L

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

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 Christi

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

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.