Using an Antiracist Lens to Rethink Budgetary Norms
Eligible for 1.5 Behavioral Ethics CPE Credits

Using an antiracist, diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to root out bias, inequities, and exclusion in institutions of higher education has been a welcome growing trend. One area rarely mentioned is using an antiracist lens to transform budgets, the budgeting process, and financial policies and practices that guide financial decisions. In this session, we begin to address this gap against the backdrop of controversies around the role of race-conscious admission.

1. Learn how to apply an anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to budgetary processes.
2. Identify entrenched budgetary norms at your institution and discuss the impact
3. Develop new budgetary norms that support institutional goals around ADEI

Dr. Peony Elyn Fhagen, Colorado College, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Equity & Inclusion 

Dr. Fhagen is the inaugural Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Equity & Inclusion and the director of Colorado College's teaching center. She began her administrative career in higher education as the chair of the psychology department at Wheaton College, MA. In her previous position, she served as the inaugural Associate Provost for Diversity and Faculty Development. She is currently part of a three-person antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership team that supports campus progress on the institution's antiracism implementation plan. She is also a developmental and multicultural psychologist who studies racial identity in educational settings. Peony is passionate about working with students, faculty, and staff to foster dynamic educational experiences in the liberal arts that are inclusive, equitable, and anti-oppressive and prepare students to thrive in and contribute to societies.

Dr. Mateo Munoz, Associate Vice President for Strategy and Planning, Colorado College 

At Colorado College Dr.Munoz has worked to develop methodologies and processes that apply an anti-racist, diversity, equity, and inclusion framework to budget strategy and planning. Prior to joining Colorado College, he was a science and technology policy fellow and advisor to the presidentially appointed members of the National Science Board at the National Science Foundation (NSF). At NSF he worked on strategic planning for the Foundation’s $8 billion dollar research portfolio, federal budget strategy, and the future of work. Before NSF, he joined the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science as the Director of Engineering Partnerships and research faculty in environmental engineering. He completed his doctorate at Harvard University in 2014 where he studied the evolution of cross-sector partnerships among higher education, government, and industry.

Student Success: Supporting Diverse Student Populations in an Era of Uncertainty
Eligible for 1.5 Specialized Knowledge CPE Credits

The changing college student demographic is forcing institutions to think beyond students’ academic needs and focus on supporting degree completion and workforce readiness, by implementing high-impact experiences and robust mental health and wellbeing services. This approach requires institutions to move from a deficit-based to an asset-based approach when assessing student readiness for higher education and focusing on what it means to be a “student-ready college.”

In an era of uncertainty and changing demographics, it is not enough to focus solely on providing access to higher education. It is more important than ever that campus leaders are prepared to meet the broader needs of students. This session will explore how two different institutions support student success: The University of Texas at El Paso, an urban R1 public Hispanic serving university and Colorado College, a private liberal arts institution.

1. Describe national enrollment trends contributing to the changing college student demographic.
2. Define what is meant by high-impact practices and identify four specific high-impact experiences. 
3. Assess if your institution is a “student-ready college or university.

Dr. Catie McCorry-Andalis, University of Texas El Paso

Recognizing the benefits of higher education for all students, Dr. Catie McCorry-Andalis focuses on expanding opportunities for first generation students and re-defining what Student Affairs means in order to support the needs of today’s students. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. McCorry-Andalis has worked in a variety of areas including student support and auxiliary services, leadership development and student activities, enrollment services, judicial affairs, fellowships, and international education.In her current role as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at The University of Texas at El Paso, Dr. McCorry-Andalis leads a diverse portfolio of departments committed to student access and success and is responsible for implementing student engagement opportunities that create a culture of learning and promote a sense of belonging. She also established UTEP’s Food Pantry, Student Emergency Fund and university-wide student-of-concern.

Dr. Edwin Toshio Hamada

Dr. Edwin Toshio Hamada has served students for over 30 years in public and private institutions. As a first-generation college student raised in an immigrant Japanese household, the pressure to be academically successful didn’t always match the knowledge needed to navigate the college setting. He found his way into Student Affairs through Housing and Residence Life and understands the importance of community and the sense of belonging in transitioning into and succeeding in the college environment. He has degrees from the University of San Francisco (BA), Western Illinois University (MS), and the University of Washington (PhD) He currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for the Residential Experience at Colorado College.

The Challenge of Recruiting and Developing Future Business Officers in a Hybrid and High Turn-Over Work Environment:  Building a Diverse, Successful, and Trusting Organization
Eligible for 1.5 Business Management & Organization CPE Credits

Join your colleagues for an interactive learning and networking opportunity. Hear from a panel of experts on the recruitment, development, and retention of business officers in higher education through building a diverse, trusting, and successful organization.  We will explore the challenges, opportunities, and fiduciary responsibilities of a hybrid work environment; the role of diverse community building in distributed and highly complex organizations; and successfully transferring knowledge to achieve organizational effectiveness.

1. Identify current challenges for campuses related to recruiting and developing future business officers.
2. Describe new approaches to building a diverse community of trust in hybrid, complex, and high turn-over environments.
3. Solve problems and develop applicable key take-aways relevant to comprehensive, doctoral, and research institutions.
4. Identify business management strategies to plan for diverse community building as well as organizational sustainability through policy development, training, and knowledge transfer.

Agnessa Vartanova, Associate Vice President, Internal Audit, University of Colorado 

Agness Vartanova earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Wyoming, and a professional graduate certificate in corporate sustainability and innovation from the Harvard Extension School. She came to CU from DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500 company in Colorado, where she was director of enterprise risk services. Previously, she served in corporate leadership positions at TTEC Holdings Inc. and Ball Corporation, also a Colorado-based Fortune 500 company, where her roles included financial planning and analysis manager, and internal audit director for corporate and global packaging.

 

Carla Ho'a, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, University of Hilo - Hilo 

Carla Ho‘a joins UH Hilo from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she served in various positions since 2013, most recently as vice chancellor and chief financial officer. Other positions at CU Boulder include associate vice chancellor and deputy chief financial officer, assistant vice chancellor for budget and fiscal planning, assistant vice chancellor for administration auxiliaries, and director of administrative projects. Prior to CU Boulder, she was associate dean for finance and administration at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing (2007-2013), deputy budget director at Colorado Community College System (2006-2007), and senior budget analyst at the University of Colorado Denver and Health Sciences Center, Budget Office (2005-2006).

Chanté C Martin, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, University of Arizona

Chanté Martin, Assistant Vice President Human Resources, joined the University of Arizona in 2015.  Her Wildcat journey began at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus where she was the Director of the colleges Human Resources team.  She progressed in her career joining the Division Human Resources leadership team in 2019.  Prior to joining the University she partnered with the UA Health Sciences in her role as Human Resources Integration Business Partner with Banner Health System. 

Prior to joining Banner, Chanté held HR management and professional development roles at Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Nutrition, and Pointe South Mountain Resort. She also served as a language and communication instructor at Illinois State University and held linguist and military intelligence roles for the U.S. Army. Chanté has an international MBA, an MA in Organizational Communication, and a BA in French. She also holds a PHR certification and is Six Sigma Green Belt certified.

Dr. Diane Fennig, Senior Consultant for Executive Search and Leadership Advisors, Gallagher Executive Search and Leadership Advisors Diane Fennig is a passionate architect at the intersection of opportunities and talent.  Her career foundation has been in association with universities and higher education systems for over 25 years. Diane continues to be a curious student. Her experiences in search and talent development along with her connections are the foundation ingredients in Diane’s "secret sauce" for success. Her recipe also includes a serving of generosity, passion, grace, and gratitude.  Diane joined the Human Capital Group in 2009, which is now Gallagher Executive Search and Leadership Advisors.

Challenges for Small Colleges and Universities: Roundtable Hosted by the Small Institutions Constituent Committee  
Eligible for 1.5 Specialized Knowledge CPE Credits

The Small Institutions Committee addresses issues specific to small colleges or universities (typically defined as fewer than 5,000 students). This session will consist of an interactive panel and audience discussion with a focus on work-life balance and other challenges facing small institutions. Join your colleagues for an interactive learning and networking opportunity. This session will engage attendees in a discussion of current trends, issues, and challenges facing small institutions. 

1. Connect with a network of peers to discover and discuss topics affecting today’s small institutions. 
2. Identify the current trends, issues, and challenges facing small institutions. 
3. Discuss what strategies other small institutions are using for addressing these trends, issues, and challenges. 
4. Evaluate strategies, discovered through discussion, and discover best practices for implementation. 

The WACUBO Small Institutions Committee acts as a liaison between their representative constituency and the WACUBO Board of Directors. This is accomplished by identifying, defining, and communicating the needs of Small Institution Business Officers to WACUBO. This includes advisory functions to officers and committees of WACUBO in the planning and conducting of Association programs, and includes communication to the membership of opportunities for continued professional development.

Lynn Valenter, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer,  Reed College 

Lynn Valenter is the Vice President of Finance and Treasurer for Reed College.  She has held that role since 2021.  Her responsibilities include oversight of Treasury, Business and Accounting, Investment Office, Risk Management and Insurance, Facilities Operations, Capital Construction and Human Resources. Valenter was formerly Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations at Washington State University Vancouver.  Valenter began her career at WSU Vancouver as the facilities and auxiliary services manager in 1997. She was promoted to director of finance and operations in 1999, then to Vice Chancellor in 2005 and served as Interim Chancellor from 2010-2012. She was WACUBO President 2015-2016 and NACUBO Board Chair 2019-2020.

Lori Seager, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Colorado College 

Lori Seager, recently promoted to Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, had served for three years as the Associate Vice President for Finance at Colorado College. She spent the early years of her career working as an auditor for KPMG. A few years later, she transitioned to Higher Ed business and finance, working for 12 years at New Mexico State University, and then for 6 years at the University of Puget Sound before coming to CC. Colorado College is a private residential liberal arts college, with approximately 2100 students studying one course at a time, in our unique Block Plan. Lori enjoys volunteering with WACUBO and currently participates in the Small Institutions Committee, the 2022 Program Committee and is the 2022 WACUBO Annual Conference Host Committee chair.

Steve Schwartz, Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Operating Officer, Fort Lewis College 

As the Chief Operating Officer at Fort Lewis College, Steve Schwartz is responsible for the administrative functions of the college, including finance, facilities management, capital planning, purchasing, human resources, information technology, Community Concert Hall, Old Fort operations, environmental health & safety/risk management, campus police, internal audit and financial aid. In his role as COO, Steve focuses on growing the institution by enabling innovation directed at serving the college’s stakeholders.  He has a passion for driving efficiency and integrating sustainability in operations. Steve has been employed by Fort Lewis College for 25 years. During that time, he has served as Director of Institutional Research, Budget Director, Vice President for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer.

Michele Peterson, Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Operating Officer, Prescott College

Michele Peterson started with Prescott College in November 2021.  In her role as Vice President, Finance & Administration/COO, she supervises financial operations, facilities, food service, human resources, information technology, institutional research, financial aid, and registrar functions.  Michele has brought her systems lens to Prescott College, devoting energy to improving the use of software products and integrations and policies and procedures. Peterson was formerly at Fort Lewis College. She served in various capacities at FLC for 22 years from Budget Director to Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO.

Challenges for Community Colleges: Roundtable Hosted by the Community Colleges Constituent Committee
Eligible for 1.5 Specialized Knowledge CPE Credits

This session’s themes were selected by the Community College Constituent Committee and will address issues specific to community colleges. Join your colleagues for an interactive learning and networking opportunity. This session will engage attendees in a discussion of current trends, issues, and challenges facing institutions. 

1. Connect with a network of peers to discover and discuss topics affecting today’s community colleges. 
2. Identify the current trends, issues, and challenges facing community colleges. 
3. Discuss what strategies other institutions are using for addressing these trends, issues, and challenges. 
4. Evaluate strategies, discovered through discussion, and discover best practices for implementation.

Linda Cordier, Pima Community College  
Linda Cordier is the Director of Online Learning Partnerships & Operations at Pima Community College. She is passionate about supporting WACUBO and its professional development opportunities to model best practices in higher education. Linda serves on the WACUBO Board and is the Community College Constituent committee chair. Over the last twelve years, she has served on many committees, including co-chair of the 2020 Annual Conference host committee and vice-chair of the Professional Development Workshop committee.

Debbie Baker, Western Wyoming Community College
Debbie Baker has been at Western since 2011 and serves as the Associate Vice President of Finance for Western Wyoming Community College. Debbie earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Colorado. In addition to her MBA, she is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since April of 2001 and a CPA in Wyoming since 2011. Debbie was an audit manager at Forvis CPA firm for nine years where she focused on Governmental and NFP clients, with several higher education institutions. She continued her career as the Assistant CFO of RSNB Bankcorp in Rock Springs, Wyoming before coming to the College. In addition to her career, Debbie has served: on the Board of the Wyoming Community Foundation for Rock Springs, the Board of Theaterworks, the Allocations Committee for Pikes Peak United Way and as a volunteer for food distribution and in a youth homeless center among others.

Andrew Plucker, Pima Community College  
Andrew Plucker is the Executive Director of Payroll, Benefits and HRIS with Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Their 25-plus years of experience with PCC includes leadership roles in human resources, financial information systems, facilities coordination, budget development and grants management.

Dr. Wendy Davis, Cochise College 

Dr. Wendy Davis currently serves as the Vice President for Administration at Cochise College. She has been at Cochise since 2011, and has worked in community college administration for over 30 years. She holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Colorado State University, and also holds MBA and Bachelor degrees from the University of Wyoming and an Associate degree from Northwest College. Her research interests include leadership development and effectiveness. Dr. Davis serves on the WACUBO Community College Constituent Committee and on the 2024 WACUBO Conference Program Planning Committee.

 Prior to coming to Arizona, Dr. Davis served as the Human Resources Officer and an adjunct instructor at Central Wyoming College and in a variety of administrative services and student services roles at Northwest College in Wyoming.

Leda Johnson Estrella, Mountain Community College

Dr. Darren Marshall, Salt Lake Community College

Dr. Darren Marshall is the Assistant Vice President of Budget Services and Financial Planning for Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) overseeing a $190 million operating budget. Darren is involved with legislative processes and has been over the last 25 years. He enjoys strategic planning and visiting other institutions as part of the NWCCU accreditation work. His dissertation focused on Latino Education Policy and undocumented student success. Darren is also interested in studying the cost of education and how it impacts low-income students. He enjoys traveling and studying history and languages. He is also an avid family historian focusing on DNA research. 

David Tamanaha, University of Hawaii, Maui College

Sandy Valdez, Pima Community College

Pressure Points for Colleges and Universities – Regulatory and Operational Update
Eligible for 1.5 Accounting CPE Credits

This session will provide a deep dive into the common regulatory and operational challenges facing higher education. Presenters will discuss recent guidance concerning the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), single audit impacts to common higher education programs, impacts of recent guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education regarding third-party-servicers. We will also highlight common issues coming to light in a post-COVID environment and how to avoid certain fraud risks with smaller teams. 

1. Describe specific compliance requirements resulting from changes to GLBA and communications from federal agencies
2. Identify impacts that recent guidance and changes to operational environments have on your own institution
3. Discuss solutions and best practices to maintain compliance and protect institutional assets

Matt Parsons, Partner, Moss Adams 

Matt has practiced public accounting since 2005. He specializes in serving various sectors within the not-for-profit and government industries. His clients include higher education institutions, foundations, child care development agencies, associations, hospitals, health clinics, health plans, and municipal entities. He also serves life science companies that receive grants and require compliance audits or consulting over control processes in administering awards.

 Matt’s experience includes preparation of financial statements, internal control examinations, and conducting audits in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and single audits of federal awards. He has significant background in compliance with student financial assistance awards, research and development grants, Head Start, and child care development grants. He’s published articles and presented webinars on relevant topics related to updates on the Uniform Guidance, compliance challenges affecting colleges and universities, and most recently the CARES act. Matt also provides training on accounting and auditing topics for Moss Adams professionals as well as clients and industry organizations.

Colleen Rozillis, Partner, Moss Adams 

Colleen has provided strategy, operations, and organizational consulting services to local, state, and Tribal governments; K-12 and higher education; private companies; utilities and energy; and not-for-profits since 2005.

Colleen’s areas of expertise include strategic planning, organizational development, leadership facilitation and coaching, governance consulting, performance audits, policy development, performance metric development and reporting, business process reengineering, strategic communications and reporting for decision makers, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy.

Kinman Tong, Partner, Moss Adams 

Kinman has practiced public accounting since 2003. He serves a diverse spectrum of not-for-profit organization and governmental entities, providing assurance and consulting services to educational institutions, research organizations, community health centers, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), foundations, international nongovernmental organizations, social welfare organizations, and ancillary health care providers and organizations.

Kinman is well versed in performing compliance audits of not-for-profit and for-profit entities that participate in federal programs under the Yellow Book; the OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Audit Guide; the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Guide for Audits of Proprietary Schools; and other federal agencies’ program-specific audit guides. He also has significant experience working on forensic investigations and litigation support for health care and not-for-profit clients. Kinman has led training on various accounting and auditing topics for Moss Adams professionals as well as clients and industry organizations.

In 2021, Kinman was honored by the San Francisco Business Times as one of its OUTstanding Voices, for being a leader who is out and making a difference in the business world. He currently serves on the firm's Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, with the goals of explicitly living ourcore values, doing the work necessary to be an anti-racist firm, and create an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong.

Presented by Moss Adams

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