Career Conversations

Adeeb Mozip is the executive director of business operations in the Office of Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. His career began as an accounting intern at Michigan's Office of the Vice President for Research, where early mentorship and hands-on work—including multi-million-dollar reporting—revealed how finance supports an institution's core research mission....

Building a Higher Ed Career Through Reinvention Sean Clayton, associate vice president for business services and controller at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, took a non-traditional path to higher education. After co-founding and selling a housewares company, Clayton worked briefly in private equity before the recession revealed a hard truth: entrepreneurial experience...

Higher Ed Tax Expert Shares Career Journey from Criminal Law to Global Operations Jodi Kessler, director of tax and global operations at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, discovered her passion for tax law while studying criminal law at Ohio State University. After taking a tax class that presented the field as an engaging puzzle with clear rules and strategi...

Building a Higher Ed Business Career from the Ground Up Travis Ball, executive director of business services and chief procurement officer at East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, shares his progression from working at a local feed store to becoming a strategic leader in higher education operations. Through a chance phone call offering a purchasing position at the Texas Department of Trans...

In this episode of Career Conversations, Christine Simone talks with Venessa Ortega, director of campus budget administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, CO). Ortega shares her unique career journey from professional theater in Chicago to higher education finance, beginning with a BFA in Theater and six years as a professional actress before discovering an unexpected passion...

Building a Legacy Through Versatility and Purpose Joe Sobieralski, senior associate vice president for administration and business affairs and university treasurer at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, shares his journey from athletics to finance leadership. In this episode, host Christine Simone explores how intentional career moves and mentorship shaped Sobieralski's path in highe...

From First-Gen to Financial Leader: Chris Foster's Journey Chris Foster, associate vice president of student accounting and integrated student services at the University of North Texas in Denton, shares his path from being a first-generation college student to leading transformative student services initiatives. His story begins with a pivotal moment in a Texas Tech University hallway, where a kin...

Finding Your Authentic Path in Higher Education Finance On this episode of Career Conversations, NACUBO director of leadership development Christine Simone talks with Stephanie Mayer, budget analyst at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. After eight years in corporate utility finance at PSENG, Mayer discovered her calling through teaching finance as an adjunct professor, which led...

Derrick Sawyer's 20-year journey in higher education business and finance traces back to an entrepreneurial start at Delaware State University, where he managed a student-run food business and later the campus newspaper's finances. Currently serving as associate vice president of budgets, business services and risk management at Community College of Philadelphia, his path led through key roles at...

As senior director of technical accounting and reporting at Howard University in Washington, DC, Meyroodjy Delva discovered his passion for accounting in high school through a business computer class. Now leading financial operations at his alma mater, Delva shares his journey from Big Four accounting to higher education leadership.   In this episode, Delva discusses his transition from public acc...

Kate Smith, controller at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, brings a wealth of experience in transforming higher education finance through innovative approaches to data and modeling. In this episode, Smith shares her journey from public accounting to higher education, including her work with nonprofits, an 8-year stint at higher ed marketing firm mStoner, and her role as controller at L...

In this episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Isaiah Behnke, director of student finance at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Isaiah shares his unique career journey, which he describes as an "improvised jazz session" rather than a scripted symphony, with twists and turns that led him to his current role at UVA. He discusses a pivot...

In this insightful Career Conversations episode, host Christine Simone sits down with Adrienne Frank, director of business and fiscal administration at Auburn University's Harbert College of Business in Auburn, Alabama. Adrienne shares her unique journey from the corporate world to higher education, offering valuable advice for those seeking career growth and fulfillment.   Key Takeaways: Embrace...

This conversation – a crossover episode between our two other podcasts CBO Speaks and NACUBO in Brief – is important enough that we wanted to release it on this feed as well. Enjoy!   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 episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Bobby Srivastava, chief administrative officer and senior fiscal officer at The Ohio State University College of Engineering in Columbus, Ohio. With a background in K-12 education and over a decade of experience in higher ed, Bobby shares his unique insights on navigating the evolving landscape of univer...

In this episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Robbie Campbell Lissade, the director of budget and finance at Rutgers University-Newark in Newark, New Jersey. Campbell Lissade shares her inspiring journey from corporate accounting to higher education, discussing the challenges she faced and the mentors who helped shape her leadership philosophy.   Ke...

In this episode, Christine Simone chats with Kelly Broughton, director of operational purchasing and travel at Ohio University's Business Service Center in Athens, Ohio. Broughton shares her unique career journey transitioning from library sciences to higher ed finance and administration.   Broughton discusses how transferable skills such as customer service, process improvement, and research abil...

Shea Bryant, manager of financial reporting at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, joins host Christine Simone on NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast. Bryant shares insights from his career journey, transitioning from external auditor to higher ed business officer, and discusses the importance of staying connected with GASB expectations and developing crucial skills for professi...

In this episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Kelvin Davis, associate vice president of finance and administration at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. Davis, a recent recipient of NACUBO's prestigious Rising Star Award, shares his unique journey in higher education and the lessons he's learned along the way.   Key Takeaways: Embraci...

Amanda Srichareon of Indiana University (Bloomington, IN) shares her compelling 16-year journey from sponsor billing representative to university bursar. Her story demonstrates how recognizing opportunities, embracing mentorship, and developing an authentic leadership style can shape a successful career in higher education. Throughout the conversation, Srichareon reflects on the challenges of beco...

Want to drive transformation and build stronger teams in higher ed? Tune in for insights from Craig Alexander, continuous improvement officer at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. In this episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone chats with Craig about his unique journey from a 16-year career at Sprint to higher education, key leadership insights, and strat...

In this insightful episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone chats with Don Marrow, director of budget and resource planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Don shares his unique 17-year journey at the university, transitioning from a temporary civil service employee to a leadership role in business and finance.   Key Takeaways: Embracing lifelong lear...

In this insightful episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Bob Miller, director of fiscal administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio. With over 22 years of experience at UTSA, Bob shares his unique journey from campus recreation to strategic enrollment and offers valuable advice for aspiring leaders in higher education.   Key Takeaways:...

In this episode, host Christine Simone chats with Ben Lennander, assistant vice chancellor of human resources at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Ben shares his unique career journey, leadership philosophy, and insights on building strong professional relationships in higher education.   Key Points and Themes: Applying an entrepreneurial mindset to drive efficiencies in higher ed The impact of...

In this episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations, host Christine Simone chats with Alyson Baxter, assistant vice president, finance and operations, shared administrative services at the University of Alabama. Alyson shares her inspiring 17-year journey at the university, from graduate assistant to AVP, and the lessons she's learned along the way.   Key Takeaways: Seize opportunities for growth and...