The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s national search for its next vice chancellor for Business and Finance will open interviews with finalists on Sept. 27.
The first candidate is Bonnie Whalen, associate vice president for institutional finance and strategy at Iowa State University. She will be on campus Sept. 27.
Additional candidates will be announced prior to their campus visit.
Whalen has worked in higher education for 33 years, including 15 years as the chief financial officer in Iowa State’s Division of Student Affairs. She has served as Iowa State’s associate vice president for institutional financial strategy and university secretary since Feb. 20.
Responsibilities in her current role include treasury operations, investments, debt management, budget development, financial planning and analysis and institutional financial reporting. She is also a member of the university’s strategic planning task force.
Whalen serves on the Iowa State Alumni Association Board of Directors and on many other campus committees. She is a member of the Association for Financial Professionals, the Treasury Institute of Higher Education and the National Association of College and University Business Officers. She serves on several community and local 4-H committees.
Whalen received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance in 1992 and a Master of Public Administration in 2012, both from Iowa State.
Whalen’s complete curriculum vitae is available for review here. An evaluation form for Whalen’s candidacy is available here.
Nebraska’s vice chancellor for business and finance is the university’s senior business officer and reports to the chancellor. The position is responsible for oversight and administration of the university’s $1.2 billion operating budget, all financial and administrative services, and following university policies, as well as state and federal laws.
The vice chancellor leads operational activities related to the university’s physical facilities and grounds, sites across Nebraska, university police, parking and transit services, human resources, and other business services.
The position serves on the chancellor’s executive leadership team and is a member of the chancellor’s extended cabinet. Learn more about the position and duties.
Whalen and the other to-be-announced finalists were selected through a national search. A search advisory committee led by Richard Moberly, dean of the College of Law, assisted with the search. The committee, which featured student, faculty, staff and greater-Lincoln community representation, includes:
- Marco Barker, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion;
- Ken Bloom, faculty associate to the chancellor for budget model implementation and chair/professor of physics and astronomy;
- Jacob Drake, president, Association of Students of the University of Nebraska;
- Chris Kabourek, vice president and chief financial officer, NU system
- Kelli Kopocis, president-elect, Faculty Senate, and assistant professor of architectural engineering and construction;
- Mary LaGrange, interim vice chancellor for business and finance;
- Ann Powers, research technician, agronomy and horticulture;
- Hassan Ramzah, assistant vice chancellor, chief of police;
- Tyrell Ross, director of finance and budget, College of Business
- Lisa Smith, senior vice president, financial adviser, portfolio manager, D.A. Davidson and Co.; and
- Becky Zavala, assistant vice chancellor, research and economic development.
Complete details about the search are available here.
