92: Governance — Finding Balance Between the Board and Administration with St. Edward’s President George Martin

The university board has an opporunity to help guide the strategy of the institution. But striking the right balance between engagement and over-involvement in leadership can be a challenge.

From his perspective — and his 16-year tenure as president of St. Edward’s University — Dr. George Martin has cultivated a reputation of leadership and balanced communication with the board of his institution. This week on the show, Dr. Martin shares the critical importance of developing a discipline of strategic planning, creating a culture of leadership that is always asking: “How is what we are doing now contributing to the strategic plan of the university. 

Beyond the board relationship, Dr. Martin shares his perspective on the value of shared governance. “It’s a huge resource,” he says, “it allows you to take advantage of the tremendous minds and intellectual power that is on your faculty and to use that for advancing the university."

This week on Navigating Change, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright investigate the careful balance between the board and the president in protecting, growing their institutions. 

88: President George Martin on Investing in Our Future at St. Edward’s University

Dr. George Martin has served as president of St. Edward’s University for over 15 years. In his tenure there, he has become an expert navigator of the waters of institutional change. This year, under Dr. Martin's leadership, the university has launched an administrative review designed to capitalize on the university’s successes, and prepare it to face the challenging landscape of higher education before us all. 

This week on Navigating Change, Dr. Martin shares his experience in cultivating top-down and bottom-up decision making that positively engages the entire university community. He outlines is rationale behind embarking on such an audacious change project now, and what success will mean to the finance office — and the culture — of St. Edward’s in the future. 

Links & Notes

• Learn more about Dr. Martin, and read his welcome letter to the St. Edward’s community

Photo Credit: "Moon over St. Edward's" by Stuart Seeger

86: AGB President Rick Legon on Board Leadership, Adaptability in the Face of Tectonic Change in Higher Ed

The 2015 National Conference on Trusteeship from the Association of Governing Boards is coming up April 19-21 in Phoenix and this year’s event promises a rich line-up of leaders and board members tackling the biggest issues facing higher ed institutions around the world. Howard Teibel is on the docket  this year, joining the list of facilitators for the Leadership Institute for Board Leaders and Executives the day before the main session, April 18. 

We’re thrilled to welcome AGB President Rick Legon to the show this week. Rick has served as AGB President since 2006. This week, he shares his keen insights in the challenges facing board leadership in today’s institutions, and how the Conference on Trusteeship serves to align leaders to face them. How do we maintain an affordable education while ensuring the highest quality? How do we address the glass ceiling of tuition revenue in supporting the institution? How do we adapt to the changing relationship between state and federal regulation and the education experience? This is a wide-ranging conversation that dives into the fundamental question: how do we frame the board’s role as one critical piece of the institutional leadership puzzle?

84: Year in Review: 4 Big Trends to Watch in Higher Ed 2015

Howard Teibel

Holiday breaks are coming to a close and students are heading back to classes as we celebrate one more trip around the sun. This week on Navigating Change, we take on four key trends bound to influence your decision making in 2015 as we reflect on the year gone by. In doing so, we’re setting the stage for our own conversation for year to come around institutional responsibility for external mandates, the role of academic performance measurement in data driven decision making, continued consolidations and shared services, and the leader's role in positively engaging the workforce in the face of great change. 

Photo credit: Chris Schroeer-Heiermann
Faculty of Theatre and Dance — ArtEZ, Arnhem, Holland

79: How do you Transition from Sage to Guide?

Howard Teibel

As leaders, it’s critical that we engage change on our campuses with enthusiasm, curiosity, and courage. Our teams are counting it, as are our extended constituencies — students, parents, and our community at large. In our efforts to engage with enthusiasm, our first and most important challenge is to embrace our own ignorance. 

This week on the show, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright discuss the key tenets of process consultation, and offer guidance for asking tough questions of our own assumptions in our work to drive change in our institutions.

Links & Notes

• Navigating Change 75: Building Outstanding Consulting Partnerships

78: Regional Leaders on Regional Challenges in Higher Ed — Live from EACUBO 2014

This week on Navigating Change we’re coming to you once again from the EACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Speakers at the conference have been taking on some of the most challenging issues facing chief business officers in higher education. This week, we’re joined by all four regional CUBO presidents for a conversation on the challenges they’re facing in their regions. From dropping high school populations to a changing demographic landscape to dramatically declining state subsidies, each region is working hard to ensure their members are prepared to face tomorrow’s challenges today.

Our Guests
Regional Presidents, Associations of College and University Business Officers

Michael Gower, EACUBO

Senior Vice President, Finance & Tresurer

Rutgers University 

Harold Hewitt, WACUBO

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Chapman University 

Mary Lou Merkt, SACUBO

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Furman University 

Kathy Qualls, CACUBO

Senior Vice Provost for Academic Finance & Administrative Affairs

University of Cincinnati 

77: Strategic Leadership at EACUBO 2014 with Marta Perez Drake and Lynne Schaefer

This week on Navigating Change we’re coming to you from the EACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Speakers at the conference have been taking on some of the most challenging issues facing chief business officers in higher education. We’re kicking off our EACUBO series with two people who serve as leaders in the effort to prepare CBOs for the demands of tomorrow’s institutions. 

Marta Perez Drake, Vice President for Professional Development — NACUBO

Lynne Schaefer, Vice President for Administration — University of Maryland Baltimore County

Lynne Schaefer is vice president for finance and administration at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and currently serves as EACUBO vice chair. Marta Perez Drake serves as vice president for professional development for NACUBO. This week on the show, Lynne and Marta join Howard Teibel and Pete Wright to share their work in developing CBOs as strategic leaders prepared for broader challenges beyond the typical expectations of the office.

Our special thanks to all who turned out to join us at this special live event in Orlando, and to the EACUBO team that helped to make this happen!

About Lynne C. Schaefer

Lynn Schaefer has served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 2005. In her role as chief business officer at UMBC, she is responsible for financial management, budget, reporting and control for annual operations exceeding $390 million. She also provides leadership for facilities planning, construction and operations, human resources, environmental safety and health, dining services, the bookstore, campus police, and general business services. Ms. Schaefer previously served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and as Budget Director and Vice President for Administrative Services at Wayne State University in Detroit. Ms. Schaefer began her career in state government in Michigan, and worked in the Governor’s Office, Departments of Management and Budget and Treasury, and as President of the Michigan Education Trust. She holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Wayne State University, and a B.A. from Michigan State University.

Marta Perez Drake, NACUBO

Marta Perez Drake has served as vice president for professional development of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) since 2010. Prior to assuming this position, Perez Drake served NACUBO for six years as Director of Constituent Programs. Before joining NACUBO, Perez Drake worked at Duke University, Georgetown University and three higher education associations: the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE). Perez Drake has served on several boards in the higher education, K-12, and non-profit sectors. She received her bachelor's degree from Duke University and master’s degree from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. 

76: Strategic Leadership and Big Change at Loyola Part 3 — VP of Administration Terry Sawyer

Terrence Sawyer, J.D., Vice President of Administration — Loyola University Maryland

This week on Navigating Change we conclude our three-part series in which we share the administrative and academic review from the inside out. Our final guest is Terry Sawyer, Vice President of Administration at Loyola University Maryland, and it was under his guidance as co-chair of the "New Way Of Proceeding" committee that deep investigation into institutional operations occurred. Terry’s role in senior administration, in partnership with his colleague and faculty co-chair Steve Fowl, put him in an ideal position to support challenging initiatives and difficult solutions across the institution.

This week, Terry shares his insights on the academic and administrative review from the administrative perspective, and how we were able to form a partnership to deliver both financial and cultural benefits to Loyola Maryland.

About Terrence Sawyer, J.D.

Terrence Sawyer became vice president for administration in 2004 after six years as special assistant to the president for government and community relations and trustee affairs. Prior to joining Loyola, Sawyer served as a director at the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. A 1992 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Sawyer earned his juris doctor from Widener University in 1995. Sawyer currently leads the University's government and community relations offices, and oversees trustee affairs and the departments of public safety, environmental health and safety, transportation and parking, and human resources. Sawyer also serves as an affiliate faculty member in the department of law and social responsibility. 

72: The Administrative and Academic Review at Loyola Maryland Part 1 — CFO Randy Gentzler

Randall D. Gentzler, Vice President of Finance — Loyola University Maryland

This week on Navigating Change we begin a three-part series to share the administrative and academic review from the inside out. Our first guest is Vice President of Finance of Loyola University Maryland Randy Gentzler, and it was under his guidance that the project ensured its focus not only on ideas for change consistent with mission but also ones that would have a positive financial impact.  

As the chief business officer, Randy describes the project from its inception to deal with the short-term operating budget as well as defining a new model of financial success. Randy and Howard share their experience working as true partners in this project and offer key learnings for getting the most out of this unique relationship.

About Randall D. Gentzler

Randall Gentzler joined Loyola University Maryland in May 2011 and serves as the University’s chief financial and investment officer. He provides senior leadership and direction to the major operating divisions of financial services, technology services, and facilities and campus services. He joined Loyola from Philadelphia University where he held the position of vice president for finance and administration/treasurer since 1995. He received his MBA from Philadelphia University; his B.S. in Accounting from Elizabethtown College; and attended Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management (IEM). 

70: Canisius College President John Hurley on Leadership, Strategy, and Communication

Last week, Canisius College President John Hurley welcomed faculty, students, and staff to the 2014-15 academic year at the school’s convocation event. In his speech, he outlined a vision for college success by way of three key areas: Redefinition — understanding what it means to be a student-centered institution; Revitalization — embracing new approaches to the academic model; and Innovation — evolving the business model to support a more agile institution. 

This week on Navigating Change, President Hurley joins Howard Teibel and Pete Wright to reflect on his role as he begins his fifth year of service. He shares his approach to building trust in times of challenge, the critical importance of communication, and building support and understanding across a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff. 

President Hurley offers candid insight into his role and it’s many opportunities and challenges. 

About John Hurley

John J. Hurley has been the President at Canisius College since July 1, 2010. Mr. Hurley served as Executive Vice President and Vice President of College Relations at Canisius College since 2007 and 1997 respectively. 

Prior to Canisius, Mr. Hurley practiced law for 16 years. He concentrated his practice in the areas of secured lending, bankruptcy and insolvency, creditors’ rights and acquisitions of troubled companies. He is also chair the Bishop’s Council on the Laity for Bishop Kmiec. Mr. Hurley is a past member of the city of Buffalo’s Charter Revision Commission and past president of the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institue Board of Trustees. He also serves as a Trustee at Canisius College. 

He is the recipient of the 2002 Canisius College Distinguished Alumnus Award, which recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers. Mr. Hurley is also a recipient of the college’s LaSalle Medal (1996), the highest honor conferred upon an alumna/us for service to alma mater, and was inducted into the Signum Fidei Society of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (1998). He is a 1978 alumnus of Canisius College. 

A native of Buffalo, Mr. Hurley graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore and earned a bachelor of arts degree, summa cum laude, in English and history from Canisius College. He was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame School of Law, where he earned a juris doctor degree in 1981.

69: Building Trust and the Higher Ed Business Model with EACUBO Chair Michael Gower

J. Michael Gower — SVP, Finance & EACUBO Chair

This week on Navigating Change, we’re thrilled to have friend of the show, Michael Gower. Michael currently serves as senior vice president of finance at Rutgers University and chair of EACUBO — he joins us on the show this week to share his insights on building trust, technology, and the forces impacting the changing business model in higher eduction. 

The EACUBO Annual Meeting 2014 will be held in Orlando October 19-22. Michael and the EACUBO leadership team are leading a shift in the approach to the annual conference with new presentation models and events designed to give financial leaders the the tools they need to build trust and deliver on the mission of their institutions. 

Hot news! Howard and Pete will be hosting Navigating Change Unplugged live on Monday, October 20 at the conference. If you’re going to be in Orlando, join us in person — details coming soon!

About J. Michael Gower
J. Michael Gower, a financial planning expert with more than thirty years’ experience in university and medical school business management, is the senior vice president for finance at Rutgers University. In that capacity he directs the financial management and planning activities of the university, collaborating with leaders from the campuses, schools, and administrative units.

Gower is the chair of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers and a member of the board of directors of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, higher education’s leading professional organization for chief business and financial officers.  

65: Amir Rahnamay-Azar on Collaborative Leadership at Carnegie Mellon

Dr. Amir Rahnamay-Azar, Vice President & CFO, Carnegie Mellon University

Seasoned business officer Amir Rahnamay-Azar joins us on the show this week to share his leadership practices as a new member of the Carnegie Mellon University leadership team. Just celebrating his 1-year anniversary, Amir has developed a strategic plan for his division, illuminating the objectives shared by the institution and how his operation contributes to achieving them. His process for encouraging buy-in and developing a collaborative leadership relationship with the provost is a true highlight of his work, and we encourage you to listen in as Howard Teibel and Pete Wright learn how Amir is shepherding the entrepreneurial into his administrative office. 

About Dr. Amir Rahnamay-Azar
Amir Rahnamay-Azar is the Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to serving as CFO, Dr. Rahnamay-Azar was Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  In his role at Georgia Tech, Dr. Rahnamay-Azar managed a wide range of functions, such as the institute’s overall budget, capital planning and space management, institutional research and planning, organizational development, sustainability, real estate development, and financial services. From 1999 to 2010, Amir was at USC and rose through the ranks from Staff Associate and Associate Director of Operations in the Office of Budget and Planning, to Associate Senior Vice President for Operations in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration. Amir earned his Ed.D. in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, and his MBA and bachelor’s degree in business administration from the California State University, Sacramento. 

64: John Walda on the changing role of leadership in Higher Education — Part 2

John Walda, President & CEO of NACUBO

NACUBO President John Walda joins the roundtable this week to share reflections on the NACUBO Annual Meeting 2014 in Seattle and the role of the conference in defining and supporting business officers in their work. In part two of our conversation, we discuss the importance of clarity and function of the business model to higher education, and John outlines a recently-approved research project in which NACUBO will study the impacts of business model weakness. John and Howard share insights around the changing expectations of student achievement in higher education. Finally, John shares his thoughts on the coming year for NACUBO and his role in leading the organization’s public policy initiatives. 

About John Walda

John D. Walda is the President and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) in Washington, D.C., where he has served since 2006. He served as president of the Indiana University Board of Trustees, as chair of the Indiana Lottery Commission, as a director and chair of the Association of Governing Boards, and as chair of the Board of Clarian Health Partners (now Indiana University Health). He is a member and past-chair of the Steering Committee for the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, a past Director for the American Council on Education, a director of the Indiana University Foundation and a trustee for Carroll College. Before coming to NACUBO, Walda was a partner in the law firm Bose McKinney & Evans in Indianapolis and was Senior Vice President - Federal Relations for Bose Treacy Associates LLC. Walda has been a member of the American, Montana and Indiana State Bar Associations; American Inns of Court (Master of the Bench); American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow); NCAA Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics; AAU Council on Federal Relations; and NASULGC Council on Government Relations. He is on the Board of Directors for the Yellowstone Park Foundation. Walda received both his BA (1972) and JD (1975) from Indiana University. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in May 2011. 

63: John Walda on the changing role of leadership in Higher Education — Part 1

John Walda, President & CEO of NACUBO

NACUBO President John Walda joins the roundtable this week to share reflections on the NACUBO Annual Meeting 2014 in Seattle and the role of the conference in defining and supporting business officers in their work. In part one of our conversation, we discuss the impact of higher education on the country as reflected by speaker Bill Gates, and the role of the business officer as it continues to expand in institutions in our country. NACUBO continues to move the conversation around strategic communication forward and John and Howard both reflect on the necessity of clear and strategic communication to both internal and external audiences in maximizing the value in higher education programs.

About John Walda

John D. Walda is the President and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) in Washington, D.C., where he has served since 2006. He served as president of the Indiana University Board of Trustees, as chair of the Indiana Lottery Commission, as a director and chair of the Association of Governing Boards, and as chair of the Board of Clarian Health Partners (now Indiana University Health). He is a member and past-chair of the Steering Committee for the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, a past Director for the American Council on Education, a director of the Indiana University Foundation and a trustee for Carroll College. Before coming to NACUBO, Walda was a partner in the law firm Bose McKinney & Evans in Indianapolis and was Senior Vice President - Federal Relations for Bose Treacy Associates LLC. Walda has been a member of the American, Montana and Indiana State Bar Associations; American Inns of Court (Master of the Bench); American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow); NCAA Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics; AAU Council on Federal Relations; and NASULGC Council on Government Relations. He is on the Board of Directors for the Yellowstone Park Foundation. Walda received both his BA (1972) and JD (1975) from Indiana University. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in May 2011. 

60: Conflict and Collaboration

Howard Teibel
President
Teibel Education Consulting

The road to collaboration is paved with complexity. We forget that sitting on teams, driving toward improved processes and structures, fantastic new programs and initiatives, are real people with real emotional ties to the work being done. This can lead to unconscious conflict that impedes growth and progress. This week on Navigating Change, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright discuss the opportunities and pitfalls inherent in building strong teams and offer suggestions for cultivating a progressive and productive team environment.

59: NACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting — Preparing for the New Business Officer Program!

Howard Teibel
President
Teibel Education Consulting

Howard Teibel has joined the speaker line-up of this year’s NACUBO New Business Officers Program with his presentation, “Leading, Managing, and Surviving Change.” In this week’s episode of Navigating Change, Howard and Pete Wright explore the program and NACUBO’s aim to help those new to the CBO role develop skills they’ll need to lead in today’s institution.

The role of the chief business officer is evolving. New demands for the CBO call for involvement across the institution to influence and drive change, and these demands call for new skills in leadership, communication, and strategy. Now that exemplary understanding of the complexities of finance is a foregone conclusion, how can those new to this role develop skills for which they may have been heretofore untried? NACUBO has built a rich schedule of speakers and experts to help those new to the CBO role get acquainted to the new demands of finance leadership. 

The New Business Officers Program will be held July 18-19 in the Metropolitan Ballroom of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. The program is limited to chief business officers and financial officers who report directly to the president and who have been in their current positions for less than three years. For information on the program, please visit NACUBO. 

56: Financial Leadership in the Business Unit with Administrative Management Institute director Fred Rogers

Fred Rogers, Vice President and Treasurer — Carleton College; Director, Administrative Management Institute

We’ve devoted many hours of this show to the role of the business officer of the institution. But today’s guest reminds us that there is great opportunity to guide and support the institution from the individual academic or departmental units. Administrative Management Institute director Fred Rogers has spent the last 21 years working with this body of finance experts in association with EACUBO and Cornell University, building professional development programs that celebrate the great potential of unit level business officers to the institution. Howard Teibel will be presenting on Leadership and Decision-Making at the AMI conference, July 28-August 1 at Cornell University in Ithaca. This week on the show, Fred joins Howard and Pete Wright to share his perspective on AMI, and discuss the critical importance of strategic alignment across the institution. 

55: Reflections on NAEP — Leadership Lessons from Procurement Pros

Fresh from his time with the National Association for Education Procurement, Howard Teibel returns to share his impressions of the 2014 annual meeting. Procurement professionals are in a unique position, with the opportunity to move from the legacy transactional function to being seen as a key strategic partner in administration. But strategy is a new discipline. This week on the show, Howard Teibel joins Pete Wright to share his insights from NAEP, and shares his thoughts for procurement professionals looking to improve their decision making prowess and strategic position in the institution.

52: Mission, Vision, and the Strategic Planning Process

Done right, and your mission, vision, and values statements can become beacons in your institution’s drive toward a powerful strategic plan. Done wrong, it ends up a in a dusty binder buried deep in a drawer. This week on Navigating Change, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright discussion the nature and importance of your mission and vision statements to the strategic plan, and offer insights for development and structure that will help your teams understand and rally behind your direction.