Career Conversations

In this enlightening episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Adrian Petway, associate vice president for budget and finance at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Petway shares her passion for higher education and her journey from an accounts receivable specialist to her current leadership role. Key themes and takeaways: Her love for th...

Greg Argueta, associate vice president for accounting and financial reporting at the University of Texas at Dallas, reflects on his accidental career journey from finance to higher education leadership. Despite originally thinking his move was temporary, the mission of higher education resonated with him over time.   He shares how embracing new opportunities, like leading an ERP implementation, al...

Orkun Toros, associate vice president and chief business officer at The University of Texas at Dallas, shares valuable perspectives from his 18-year career in higher education finance. Starting as a graduate assistant, Toros worked his way up to executive leadership roles across multiple Texas institutions. He offers unique insights on improving processes, leading teams, and adopting new technolog...

Amanda Malone, director of budget and HR at Auburn University, shares insightful perspectives from her long career in higher education administration and accounting. With experience spanning over 15 years at Auburn, Amanda provides unique insight on leading change initiatives, supporting faculty, and maintaining work-life balance.   Key Points: Believes in collaborating with stakeholders during ch...

Charmel Maynard, 2023 recipient of NACUBO's Rodney H. Adams Endowment Award, took a leap of faith to leave banking behind and follow a mentor into university investments. In this episode, Charmel shares how he transitioned to higher education and offers advice on leadership, learning, and team building.   Key Points: Believes in taking smart career risks and not fearing failure Leads with a passio...

Anne Santos, assistant dean for finance and administration at Rice University's Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, took an unconventional path to her role. With a background in hospitality and small business, Anne shares how she transitioned industries and offers advice on pursuing your passions.   Key Points: Transitioned from hospitality/small business to higher ed Admires the role of conti...

NACUBO's Christine Simone interviews Rick Wernoski, the associate vice chancellor for operational excellence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   Key Points: 30+ years in higher ed, started as budget analyst and moved up to leadership Passionate about transforming students' lives through academics and research Recent success creating a K-2 school that boosted literacy and math sco...

Christine Simone, host of Career Conversations, interviews Darrell Duncan, vice president of finance at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Duncan shares insights from his 25+ year career in higher ed finance, including the importance of loving people, being visible, and embracing change.   Key Takeaways: Lead with love – Duncan believes you must love people to truly lead them. Exhibit ca...

In this episode, host Christine Simone interviews Marissa Pace, associate vice president of business and financial affairs at Spelman College. Pace shares her journey transitioning from corporate finance roles to higher education administration, driven by the mission to educate and serve students.   Key Takeaways: Higher ed provides a sense of purpose Engage fully in roles to understand how you fi...

In this episode, host Christine Simone interviews Virginia Teachey, associate vice president of budget and finance at Penn State University. Teachey shares how she accidentally fell into higher ed administration but progressed to leadership through mentorship, calculated risks, and self-investment.   Key Takeaways: Started higher ed career accidentally but stayed for mission-focused work Mentors g...

In this episode, host Christine Simone interviews Katie Walker, Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at the University of Virginia, as well as the recipient of NACUBO's Rising Star Award. Katie shares her unexpected path to higher education finance after studying history and anthropology as an undergrad. She also provides key lessons learned about implementing budget models,...

How does a finance professional go from overseeing city budgets to leading a university's financial strategy? For Angie Kraetsch, associate vice president for financial services at Cal Poly, it was a winding path full of strong mentors, challenging transitions, and learning to "get to yes."   In this episode of Career Conversations, Angie shares her unique journey leading finance in both city gove...

Balancing parenthood and career growth isn't easy, but Melissa Hogarty is proof it can be done. As Assistant Vice President for Business in the Office of Finance and Administration at Stony Brook University in New York, Melissa has climbed the ladder in higher ed while raising two kids. She joins host Christine Simone on Career Conversations to share her journey and tips, from managing mom guilt t...

In this episode, Christine Simone interviews Rick Anderson, executive vice president of finance and operations at the Medical University of South Carolina. Rick has worked in higher education administration for 35-plus years at eight universities across six states.   Not many business officers have been an athletic director at two different Division I schools, but Rick's path through higher educat...

In this episode, Christine Simone interviews Beverly Walker about her career journey in higher education. Beverly's early time as a community college student has helped to inform her work and laid a foundation for her passion as a relationship builder who helps others find their purpose. Beverly's current role allows her to work with students, employees, and the community. She stresses the importa...

We're excited to kick off this new podcast with our guest Shawn Norman, senior vice president for operations and finance, at Iowa State University. He shares insights from his career journey about the importance of relationships, collaboration, and mentorship. Building strong relationships and collaborating with others has been critical to Shawn's career success. He moved from accounting to financ...

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!