Career Conversations

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 becoming a young leader and the vital shift from seeking to be liked to earning genuine respect. She credits strong female mentors, including Gabrielle Bovinzi and Brittany Hubbard, for shaping her professional development and encouraging her pursuit of an MBA. Key Takeaways:

• Career progression from entry-level to leadership through recognizing opportunities
• Value of mentorship from experienced leaders in higher education
• Evolution from focusing on being liked to earning respect as a young leader
• Importance of networking within higher education, particularly with peer institutions
• Leadership philosophy centered on honesty, open communication, and collaboration
• Emphasis on embracing change and continuous process improvement

Srichareon's leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of building strong teams through collaboration and honest communication. Her advice to aspiring leaders centers on becoming a change agent: "Find a way to embrace change... I think really finding a way to embrace change and always changing and being a change agent is the best advice I could give to anybody." She advocates for this approach even when resources are limited, highlighting the significance of maintaining professional networks across institutions. Her ultimate vision of success? Building such a strong team that they continue to thrive long after her departure – a testament to her focus on developing others and creating sustainable leadership practices in higher education. Links:

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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 strategies for driving innovation on campus. Craig shares surprising parallels he's noticed between challenges faced in the corporate world and higher ed, such as declining customers/students and the need to differentiate and cut costs. He emphasizes the importance of effective change management, which involves transparently sharing the "why" behind decisions, proactively inviting feedback, and continuously fine-tuning processes. Key Takeaways:

• Building authentic relationships happens through one-on-one meetings and meaningful phone calls, not just email
• Strong leaders own up to missteps, focus on making things easier, and deeply care about doing the right thing
• When facing problems, ask "Where have I missed it?" and use "I" statements to reduce conflict
• Studying psychology helps leaders better understand and work with people

Throughout the conversation, Craig underscores his commitment to leaving a legacy of always striving to do the right thing, addressing problems head-on, and engaging in candid conversations. He advises leaders to start by looking inward when challenges arise and to prioritize understanding the people they work with. Links

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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:

1. Embracing lifelong learning: Don emphasizes the importance of continuous growth and education to stay innovative in higher education finance.
2. Building professional relationships: Networking and seeking guidance from those in desired roles can lead to valuable connections and opportunities.
3. Evolving leadership philosophy: As Don's career progressed, his focus shifted from personal growth to supporting and developing his team members as individuals.
4. Impactful mentorship: Don highlights two influential mentors who demonstrated the value of emotional intelligence and strategic leadership in building strong teams.
5. Leaving a legacy: Rather than focusing on specific projects, Don hopes his legacy will be the positive impact he's had on the lives and careers of others.

Don's advice for listeners: Stay persistent, trust in the timing of your journey, and remain true to yourself as you work towards your goals. Links

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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:

1. Embrace change and explore new opportunities for personal and professional growth
2. Seek mentorship and learn from leaders across various departments
3. Lead with care, compassion, and a focus on making a positive impact on students and the institution
4. Don't be afraid to try new things, ask questions, and learn from both successes and failures
5. Develop your own leadership style while staying true to yourself

Bob's career trajectory showcases the importance of adaptability and openness to new challenges. He emphasizes the value of deliberate and well-planned strategies in driving institutional growth, as seen in UTSA's remarkable progress from 18,000 to nearly 35,000 students during his tenure. As an inaugural cohort member of the NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program, Bob highlights the profound impact of this developmental opportunity on his professional growth and network. He encourages listeners to get involved, seek mentorship, and actively pursue opportunities to learn and grow. Throughout the conversation, Bob stresses the significance of leading with care, compassion, and a focus on making a positive impact. He believes in the power of learning from both great and challenging supervisors and using those experiences to shape one's own leadership style. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to grow and make a difference in the world of higher education. Links

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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:

1. Applying an entrepreneurial mindset to drive efficiencies in higher ed
2. The impact of supportive mentorship early in one's career
3. Connecting with the mission of higher education and serving others
4. Transforming a struggling team through positive leadership
5. Utilizing strengths-based leadership to foster job satisfaction and efficiency
6. Building trust and relationships across the organization
7. Investing in continuous professional development and growth

Ben Lennander's unique background and people-centered leadership philosophy have contributed to his success in navigating the complex landscape of higher education. His insights serve as valuable inspiration for professionals seeking to make a positive impact on their institutions and the lives of those they serve. Links

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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 take on new challenges, even if they seem daunting at first.
• Find a mentor who values your strengths, provides a safe environment to learn, and supports your development.
• As a leader, focus on creating a positive work environment where your team feels heard, valued, and empowered to succeed.
• Networking is about making genuine connections and being able to help others by "connecting the dots".
• Leadership and talent will find a way to emerge, even if your career path is non-traditional.
• It's okay if your leadership style is different from your mentor's—stay true to yourself.
• Have patience with yourself as you grow as a leader and learn from mistakes.
• Aim to leave a legacy of kindness, fairness, and giving others opportunities to thrive.

Throughout her career, Alyson has embraced excitement about new projects, sought out mentors, and put herself out there through leadership programs. Her story highlights the importance of continuous learning, human-centric leadership, and meaningful relationships. Alyson's authentic advice is sure to resonate with anyone navigating their own leadership journey in higher ed. Links

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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 the mission of higher education and being a lifelong learner
• The importance of supporting the core mission of instruction, research, and public service as a finance professional in higher ed
• Teaching economics and incorporating real-life projects to prepare students for the future
• The impact of the enrollment cliff on all universities and the need for effective enrollment and retention strategies
• Leveraging resources like NACUBO's professional development opportunities and the value of building a strong network
• Finding work-life balance and prioritizing mental and physical well-being, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
• The power of mentorship and the importance of speaking up and realizing that your voice matters

Petway's insights serve as a valuable reminder that passion, continuous learning, and a strong support system are key to a successful and fulfilling career in higher education administration. Thank you for tuning in to Career Conversations. NACUBO will be back with season two of this show in September. Links

• Article: Class of 2024: Adrian Petway proves it is never too late to chase a dream
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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, allowed him to grow into more responsibilities. Greg also discusses adjusting to higher education's complexity compared to his previous finance work. Two crucial lessons Greg learned were the importance of effective communication and preserving trust. He advises actively seeking opportunities rather than waiting passively for career growth. Discover Greg's perspective on developing resilience and leadership philosophy through both successes and mistakes. Higher education professionals and those exploring new career paths will appreciate his insight on an evolving career path in a dynamic field. Links

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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 technologies like AI. Key Points:

• Passionate about the mission of keeping resources in the classroom
• Values authentic, trusting relationships with teams
• Encourages creating environments where people can thrive
• Emphasizes being curious and fearless in exploring initiatives
• Cautions not to focus overly on results over people
• Optimistic about AI's potential to enhance finance processes
• Stresses the importance of celebrating successes

Toros has built an impressive higher ed finance career by embracing new initiatives and valuing people. His story highlights the power of curiosity, collaboration, and maintaining perspective on what matters most. Toros encourages leaders to stay grounded in mission and purpose. Links

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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 change
• Values gathering information by observing leaders
• Says be fully present and keep a "human touch"
• Encourages embracing new opportunities regularly
• Advises clearly setting expectations you can meet
• Passionate about supporting faculty research
• Views higher ed through an accounting lens
• Committed to continual formal and informal learning

Amanda's career demonstrates an admirable commitment to continual learning while compassionately leading change. Her story highlights the importance of collaboration, presence, balance, and maintaining a "human touch" in higher education leadership. Amanda encourages staying grounded personally and professionally while also embracing new opportunities. Links

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