Vice President for Finance & Planning/Treasurer - Beloit College

BC 

Beloit, Wisconsin 

Vice President for Finance & Planning/Treasurer 

LEADERSHIP PROFILE 

Spring 2013 - Karen L. Goldstein, Ph.D. 

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Beloit College 

Vice President for Finance and Planning 

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Beloit College invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Finance 

and Planning/Treasurer. Reporting to and partnering with President Scott Bierman, the Vice 

President will be the chief financial officer and treasurer of Beloit College. A key member of the 

college’s Senior Staff, the Vice President will provide visionary leadership for all financial and 

long-range planning operations and processes of the institution. 

Located at the “Gateway to Wisconsin,” Beloit College is a distinctive blend of college and 

community that creates bold and unusual opportunities not found in other national liberal arts 

colleges. The college boasts an exceptional faculty who are dedicated to teaching and active as 

scholars, as well as a highly selective and talented student body committed to inclusive excellence. 

The college has been an innovative leader in American higher education for over 160 years, 

including its groundbreaking study abroad program, and regularly welcomes students from over 

30 countries outside the U.S. 

In close collaboration with the President and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President will 

develop, manage and report on financial, property, investment and audit activities and lead the 

development of the strategic direction and priorities key to strengthening the college’s financial 

position and reputation. The Vice President will lead and manage all the financial staff of the 

college while they work collaboratively with the other divisions of the college. 

Although the position will remain open until an appointment is made, applicants should submit 

materials by April 8, 2013 to ensure full consideration. Information about how to nominate a 

candidate or to apply for this position may be found at the end of this document in the “Procedure 

for Candidacy” section. 

BELOIT COLLEGE: AN OVERVIEW 

Mission Statement 

Beloit College engages the intelligence, imagination, and curiosity of its students, empowering 

them to lead fulfilling lives marked by high achievement, personal responsibility, and public 

contribution in a diverse society. Our emphasis on international and interdisciplinary perspectives, 

the integration of knowledge with experience, and close collaboration among peers, professors, 

and staff equips students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and 

thoughtfully. 

General Information 

Founded in 1846, Beloit College predates the State of Wisconsin by two years. Since its founding, 

Beloit College has been recognized for its long-standing commitment to curricular innovation in a 

residential setting. Though the early curriculum was built on the classical tradition, a central tenet 

of a Beloit education has always been to situate liberal education in the context of the world in 

which it will be practiced. Throughout its history, Beloit College has articulated that commitment 

through its dedication to experiential learning in interdisciplinary and international contexts. 

Today, Beloit’s dedication to this commitment is evidenced in the Liberal Arts in Practice Center 

(LAPC). The LAPC catalyzes and coordinates curricular and co-curricular campus and community 

partnerships. In a parallel curricular requirement, the college asks students to complete applied or 

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original work extending beyond the traditional classroom, such as off-campus study, internships, 

research-related fieldwork, or community engagement projects. 

One of the college’s cornerstones is 

its commitment to developing 

students who have an understanding 

of the various social, cultural, 

aesthetic, and scientific aspects of 

the human experience, and the core 

writing, quantitative, and 

intercultural skills at the heart of 

responsible global citizenship. 

Students begin their education in the 

Beloit Initiatives Program, a 

cohesive two-year program designed 

to develop incoming students’ skills, 

interests, knowledge, and agency so 

that, at the end of the sophomore year, students have designed and are able to articulate to others 

their educational trajectory at Beloit College and its rationale. 

Beloit offers more than 50 majors, more than 30 minors, and a number of dual-degree and preprofessional 

programs. A new curriculum, implemented in the Fall of 2011, requires students to 

navigate five educational Domains: Foundational Systems, Artistic and Creative Practices, Social 

Analysis of Human Behavior, Scientific Inquiry into Physical and Biological Universe, and 

Textual Cultures and Analysis. This flexible curriculum, grounded in rigorous study, encourages 

independent research, fieldwork, and collaboration with peers and professors. Coursework is 

interdisciplinary, experiential, and global in scope. The average class size is 15 students; Beloit’s 

student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. 

The Beloit College community is diverse and noted for its passionate engagement with ideas and 

the world. In the fall of 2012, 1,274 degree-seeking students were enrolled. Over 40% of its 

students come from more than 500 miles, representing nearly every state, the District of Columbia, 

and more than 30 countries. Twenty-eight percent of its students are non-Caucasian; ten percent 

come from countries other than the United States. 

Ninety-seven percent of Beloit’s 114 full-time faculty members hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree 

in their field. Teaching is the faculty’s highest priority, but all professors are active scholars and 

artists. Many are leaders in educational reform. Professors serve as mentors, guides, and partners 

on research projects and academic work. A strong tradition of student-teacher collaboration 

contributes to the college’s lively intellectual community. 

Beloit College consists of a wooded 44-acre main campus, a 24-acre athletic complex, and 89 

acres devoted to other academic and research purposes. Of the 79 college properties, 28 buildings 

range in historic architectural styles; four buildings are listed on the National or State Register of 

Historic Places. Winding pathways, expansive lawns, displays of public art, and ancient Indian 

mounds mark the campus. 

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The college’s academic facilities include the internationally recognized Logan Museum of 

Anthropology and the Wright Museum of Art. In 2008 the college opened its state-of-the-art 

Center for the Sciences containing research labs equipped with advanced technology. The building 

was awarded the Platinum level in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from the U.S. 

Green Building Council; one of many awards the building has received. The newly renovated 

landmark Hendricks Center for the Arts which houses music, dance, and theatre faculty and 

programs was opened in the fall of 2010. Beloit College offers students the opportunity to study 

off-campus in countries across the world as well as domestically. Additionally, students regularly 

engage in internships in the U.S. and abroad. Beloit is distinguished by a commitment to 

independent thought, a concern for the common good, and a passionate, critical engagement with 

the world. 

Academics 

In Fall 2011, Beloit College implemented a new curriculum and graduation requirements. The new 

curriculum is meant to produce graduates who practice the liberal arts, making connections among 

diverse areas of study and developing and demonstrating essential capacities within and beyond 

the classroom through international and interdisciplinary experiences. 

Beloit College has been cited in the National Survey of Student Engagement by Indiana 

University’s Center for Postsecondary Research as one of the nation’s top colleges that involve 

students in the educational process. This study placed Beloit in the top 20 percent of all colleges 

and universities in each of five categories: 

 

 

 

The level of challenge in areas regarding preparation for class, the use of high-order thinking 

skills, and the intellectual climate on campus. 

Active and collaborative learning, including class participation to outside class discussion 

and community-based projects. 

Student interaction with faculty, targeting timely and sensitive feedback in discussion, and 

involvement in research with faculty. 

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Enriching educational experiences that allow students to reach out and encounter others from 

diverse backgrounds, while extending opportunities for field work and study beyond 

campus. 

The campus environment, examining how students thrive academically and socially while 

coping with non-academic responsibilities. 

Beloit College is recognized as an international college, with nearly half of the student body taking 

one or more semesters in overseas academic programs. Ten percent of the students are citizens of 

foreign countries. One-third of the curriculum is international in focus, and Beloit’s 

interdisciplinary international relations major is among the largest on campus. 

Residential and Student Life 

Ninety-five percent of Beloit students live on campus in the college’s 37 residence halls and 

special-interest houses. The college offers a variety of student-driven eating and gathering options 

operated by the food service management company Bon Appetit. With the variety of housing 

options and co-curricular offerings available to students, life at Beloit College promotes a genuine 

living-learning experience that welcomes freedom of thought, social interaction and community 

involvement. 

Beloit College offers more than 100 student-run clubs, organizations, and honor societies. 

Student-run committees and organizations are responsible for everything from representing 

students on curricular committees to programming college-wide cultural events. The central 

student governance group, Beloit Student Congress, regularly has a budget of over $250,000, 

which is fully controlled by students. 

The college fields 19 NCAA Division III teams in the Midwest Conference. Beloit’s varsity 

student athletes consistently receive Academic All-American honors. Club, intramural and 

recreational sports round out the athletic offerings that are available to students. 

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Financial operations of the college 

Beloit College’s 2012-2013 annual operating budget totals $62,300,139. The primary sources of 

revenue include $46,365,468 in tuition, $3,346,265 in endowment income and $2,999,791 in the 

Beloiter Fund with a total of $13.5 million from fundraising of gifts and grants. Primary 

expenditures include $26,531,784 in salaries and benefits, $20,274,437 in financial aid and 

$8,690,838 in operating expenses. The annual budget for planned major maintenance and 

equipment is $1,000,000. The construction of the new Center for the Sciences and related campus 

master plan projects, totaling approximately $45 million, represented a significant investment in 

the physical plant, and addressed a number of areas of deferred maintenance. Similarly, the newly 

renovated and gifted Hendricks Center for the Arts, located close to the college in downtown 

Beloit in what was the city library, has created state of the art facilities for dance, music, and 

technical theater. Athletics has recently benefitted from the development of a new turf field and a 

new eight lane track where the college will host the Midwest Conference championships this year. 

As of May 31, 2012, the value of the total assets was $220,675,323; net assets were valued at 

$141,438,452. The value of the endowment on December 31, 2012 was $116,018,510. The college 

policy is to draw a percentage of the November 30 average 12-quarter trailing endowment value. 

Since 2009, the draw rate has been 4.5% and is expected to remain at this level. As of June 1, 

2012, the college has $58,540,000 total principal amount of long-term indebtedness outstanding in 

Series 2010A and Series 2010B bonds. The college has a $1,500,000 bank line of credit that was 

established as a general source of funds. As of January 1, 2013, the college had zero outstanding 

on the line of credit. 

Governance 

The college is governed by the Board of Trustees, a self-perpetuating group of not more than 50 

members. There are currently 30 members. The Board meets regularly three times a year, and the 

official Annual Meeting of the Board is held in Beloit, Wisconsin, within 45 days of the beginning 

of the academic year. The other two meetings are held in the winter and spring months. Trustees 

are elected to three-year terms, with the terms to expire at the Annual Meeting in the year of 

expiration designated for each Trustee at the time of his or her election. 

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Senior Staff Members 

Scott Bierman, President. Scott Bierman joined Beloit College in 

July 2009. He formerly served as dean of the college and associate 

dean of the college at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. At 

Carleton, he joined the faculty in 1982 and was named chair of the 

economics department in 1991. From 1997 to 2000, he was faculty 

president, serving as liaison between faculty and the dean and 

president on curricular and personnel issues. President Bierman 

earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics 

from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and received his Ph.D. in 

economics from the University of Virginia. His fields of interest 

include economics of the public sector, industrial organization, 

game theory, and experimental economics. He is the co-author of a 

book on game theory and has designed teaching materials 

accompanying various textbooks in economics. 

Nancy Benedict, Vice President for Enrollment Services. Nancy Benedict has served as Chief 

Enrollment Officer since 2001, and prior to joining the college, she served at Bryn Mawr College 

(PA) for nearly 25 years in senior positions in admissions, financial aid, development, and career 

planning. As Vice President for Enrollment and member of Senior Staff, she is responsible for 

strategic policy and practices for financial aid and merit scholarship programs, and admissions 

marketing and enrollment efforts. Nancy Benedict has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hillsdale 

College and had additional studies at Horace Rackham Graduate School of Education, University 

of Michigan, and Bryn Mawr College. In addition to overall supervision of admissions and 

financial aid offices, Nancy Benedict provides staff support to the Beloit College Board of 

Trustees on the enrollment and marketing committee. In addition, she is a member of NACAC, 

NAFSA, the College Board, serves on the SAGE Scholars Advisory Board, and recently served on 

the Common Application Board of Directors. 

Ann C. Davies, Provost and Dean of the College. Ann C. Davies assumed the position of Dean of 

the College on June 1, 2009. She joined the faculty of Beloit College in 1997 after earning her 

B.A. from Kenyon College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of 

Chicago. Her research interests include modern political theory and U.S. political thought and 

jurisprudence. Ann Davies received the Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching 

Award for 2005 and the Rotary Club of Beloit for her outstanding teaching honored the following 

year. In recognition of her service in a variety of leadership roles on campus, Ann Davies was 

named the Edwin F. Wilde, Jr. Distinguished Service Professor in 2008. 

Jeff Puckett, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. Jeff Puckett, who joined 

Beloit College in August 2010, has 20 years of development experience in the nonprofit sector, 

almost all of which have been in higher education. Before joining Beloit College, Puckett served 

from 1999-2010 in a variety of roles at the Washington State University Foundation, most recently 

as senior vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to Washington State, Puckett served as 

director of development at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, and director of annual 

support programs at Elon College (now Elon University) in Elon, N.C. Jeff Puckett earned his 

B.A. degree in psychology at Elon University and has an M.A. degree in English from 

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Appalachian State University. As Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Puckett 

is responsible for the development of gift resources that support the college’s operation and 

contribute to its institutional goals. He provides leadership and direction to the development and 

alumni relations division, which is dedicated to advancing a culture of philanthropy through 

engagement with alumni, parents, friends, and donors. 

Christina Klawitter, Dean of Students. Christina Klawitter assumed the position of Dean of 

Students in July 2011. Her most recent former positions include assistant dean for academic 

progress, College Letters & Science, Undergraduate Academic Services at UW-Madison and 

faculty associate & advising community chair in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, 

School of Education at Edgewood College. Christina Klawitter received her B.A. in Psychology 

and Legal Studies at Beloit, a Master of Science in Counseling with Higher Education emphasis, 

and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, both from UW- 

Madison. 

Lori Rhead, Vice President for Human Resources and Operations. Lori has been employed by 

Beloit College since November 1986. She started in the accounting office where she became the 

assistant controller/assistant director of accounting, then worked into the position of director of 

human resources. Lori graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Economics and Management 

from Beloit College in 2002 and received an M.B.A. from Alverno College in 2008. She is a 

member of Phi Beta Kappa and the secretary for the Beloit College chapter. She is also certified 

as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), has held positions on local and state human 

resource management associations, and is currently a member of the Human Resource Advisory 

Committee to Blackhawk Technical College and the board of Stateline United Way. Lori has been 

promoted to Vice President, which will become effective June 1, 2013. 

Connie T. Truesdale, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the College. Connie T. 

Truesdale has served as Secretary of the College since 1992, and has served as administrative 

assistant to four Presidents since 1987. Connie Truesdale was formerly assistant to the retired 

Chairman of the Beloit Corporation, and prior to that was executive secretary to the treasurer of 

the Beloit Corporation. 

Russell Cannon, Director of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning. Russ holds an 

A.B. from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and 

received his M.A. in the Social Sciences from the University of Chicago as a recipient of the 

federal James Madison Memorial Fellowship. Prior to arriving at Beloit, Russ served as a social 

sciences faculty member and curriculum advisor at the Princeton University Preparatory Program 

and three urban public schools in New Jersey. His research interests include rubric-based 

assessment of student learning outcomes, faculty development, and the effects of financial aid 

policy on student outcomes. 

Megan Fitch, Chief Information Officer. Megan is Chief Information Officer and leads the 

Information Services Division, comprised of the library and information technology. She has been 

at Beloit since 2008; prior to that she led a department in the merged library/IT organization at 

Kenyon College. She also has worked at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the National 

Research Council, and at the law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart. Megan also served for six years as 

a contract research associate for ApplEcon, a boutique economic consulting and litigation support 

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firm. She received a B.A. in international relations from Grinnell College, an M.A. in foreign 

affairs from the University of Virginia, and an M.I.L.S from the University of Michigan. 

Jason Hughes, Director of Communications and Marketing. Before joining Beloit College as 

Director of Communications and Marketing in March 2010, Jason served as director of public 

relations for Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. At Lynn, he was the university spokesperson 

and also taught a senior-level marketing course in Lynn’s College of International 

Communication. Previous to his post at Lynn, he had been a public relations account executive 

with the Lyerly Agency, a Charlotte, N.C.-based public relations firm, served in the marketing and 

public relations office at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and covered education for 

publications including The Chronicle of Higher Education. He holds an M.A. degree in creative 

writing from Central Michigan University, an M.B.A. degree in marketing from Lynn University, 

and an undergraduate degree in English from UNC-Charlotte. 

Location and Facilities 

Located in the beautiful and historic city of Beloit, Wisconsin, with a population of 36,000, Beloit 

College is situated between Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison off Interstates 39, 90 and 43. 

Building on the vision and principles established during the 2003 master planning process, Beloit 

College has moved forward with campus infrastructure improvements that enhance the 

exceptional quality of the academic and cultural environment, such as the Center for the Sciences 

and the Hendricks Center for the Arts. A space-use task force has presented its findings for 

potential uses of our physical plant that best promote the mission and business of the college. The 

next step will be hiring an architect/consultant to work with the college. The college is in the 

process of exploring the addition of a student activity and recreation center by renovating a power 

plant vacated by Alliant Energy Corp. Attention to the physical campus is critically important to 

the college’s mission as they recognize that Beloit serves as a “home” for 1,300 students from 

around the world who engage in a vibrant and active student life. 

The City of Beloit 

Beloit was founded in 1836, incorporated as a village February 24, 1846, and officially 

incorporated as a city by the State of Wisconsin on March 31, 1856. The citizens adopted a 

council-manager form of government in 1929. 

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One hundred and seventy-seven years after founding, the City of Beloit covers approximately 17 

square miles. It is home to 37,110 residents as well as more than 88 industrial firms, 850 retail 

establishments, several corporate headquarters, a minor league baseball team, several museums, 

and, of course, the internationally acclaimed college that bears the community's name. Within a 

ten-mile radius of the city center are approximately100,000 residents. 

The city is also a center for the arts and includes many cultural assets. The Wright Museum of Art 

and the internationally acclaimed Logan Museum of Anthropology are located at Beloit 

College. The exciting new Industrial Arts Museum and the ever popular Angel Museum, along 

with the City’s Historical Society and the Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead celebrate the city’s proud 

heritage. Many beautiful pieces of public art adorn the riverfront, downtown, and the Beloit 

College campus. The city shares a world-class symphony orchestra with its neighbors in Janesville 

and has numerous special arts events and activities each year. 

One of the most ethnically diverse communities in the Midwest, Beloit's population is 67 percent 

Caucasian, 15 percent African-American, nine percent Hispanic/Latino, and one percent Asian- 

American, with another eight percent from other ethnic or racial backgrounds. 

As with many other older gray-metal industrial cities, Beloit underwent significant economic 

distress during the 1970s and 80s. By 1990, civic leadership, including the CEOs of many resident 

corporations, partnered with leaders of key financial institutions and the college to form Beloit 2000 

(now called 2020), a visionary organization that spearheaded City Center redevelopment. Beloit 

2000, working in partnership with the city, has transformed the Rock River into a world-class open 

space and recreation complex, heavily utilized throughout the year. Downtown renovation and 

continuing economic redevelopment are the hallmarks of the city’s continuing rebirth. While new 

businesses relocate to Beloit and existing corporations expand and grow, the community continues 

to celebrate its rich heritage and cultural diversity. The local government, business leaders and 

concerned residents are all working together to continue the urban renaissance that has transformed 

Beloit into a gem of the Rock River Valley. 

More information on Beloit College may be found at its web site: http://www.beloit.edu/. 

Additional information on the city of Beloit and the surrounding region may be found at 

http://www.ci.beloit.wi.us. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND PLANNING/TREASURER 

Reporting to the President, the Vice President serves as a member of the president’s senior staff 

and staffs three committees of the college’s Board of Trustees: Financial Asset Management, 

Budget and Planning, and Audit and Risk Management. He or she will have strong strategic 

planning and communications skills as well as the ability to analyze and interpret financial data. In 

close collaboration with the President and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President will help 

establish the strategic direction and priorities key to promoting the college’s mission and 

strengthening the college’s financial operations. 

As Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, the Vice President, working with the President and the 

Financial Asset Management Committee, and with appropriate external financial institutions 

provides leadership with respect to a strategically well-managed and healthy balance sheet while 

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strengthening the college’s financial reputation. Working with the President, Provost, Board 

Budget and Planning Committee and the on-campus Academic Strategic Planning (ASP) 

Committee, he or she oversees the multi-year planning model including capital financial and 

facilities planning. The Vice President supervises the director of accounting and budget 

management and works closely with the Audit and Risk Management Committee to prepare for 

and complete the annual audit and to promptly address any management comments that arise. The 

Vice President works with the college’s consultant on enrollment planning and tuition 

management. 

The Vice President provides leadership and direction to the finance division and ensures that the 

finance team works collaboratively and effectively with all other divisions of the college while 

taking advantage of industry best practices to support institutional objectives through the use of 

new software tools. The finance division includes a dedicated team of eight members supporting 

all of the financial and accounting functions of the college. 

KEY ATTRACTIONS OF THE POSITION 

In addition to serving in a leadership role in a distinctive national liberal college, the position 

provides the successful candidate the opportunity to contribute significantly to the success of 

Beloit College during this time of excitement and promise. The following attractions warrant 

specific emphasis: 

The Presidential Vision and Leadership 

The Vice President will be a key partner with a President committed to enhancing the college’s 

national reputation, further securing the college’s place among the nation’s most innovative and 

important leaders in undergraduate education, and developing a financial model that will ensure 

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the college’s continuing focus on promoting its mission along with its economic security and 

vitality into the foreseeable future. 

In President Bierman’s first three years at Beloit College he completed the $100,000,000 Classic. 

Daring. Life-Changing. Campaign; developed and completed a significant effort to renovate the 

athletic stadium and track while introducing men’s and women’s lacrosse programs; and oversaw 

the renovation and gifting of the new Hendricks Center for the Arts. Alongside a new Provost, the 

President oversaw the development of a new college curriculum centered on the important concept 

of the integration of liberal arts skills and habits of mind and their connection and application to 

the real world (titled the Liberal Arts in Practice). In addition, he has provided vision and 

leadership towards a programmatic and economic future that is path breaking and exciting. Most 

recently, the college has announced its new Fast Forward – The Campaigns for Beloiters, which 

is a project-based modular approach to fund raising that has garnered national attention. 

A Strong Finance Team 

The finance team’s goal is to provide the best possible service to the entire college community. 

The next Vice President will inherit a group of experienced and talented individuals who work 

well together as a team to support the mission, vision and strategic goals of the college. It is 

important for this team to be committed and effective partners and advisors to budget managers 

from all over the college. 

The President’s Senior Staff 

The Vice President will join a strong, collaborative team on the President’s senior staff, whose 

members are committed to working in partnership, reflecting the collaborative and supportive 

spirit of the entire community. The success of the college requires the President’s senior staff to 

work effectively and collaboratively as a team towards advancing the college’s mission. It is 

essential that the Vice President demonstrate qualities of leadership – unimpeachable integrity, 

transparency, humility, and vision – and apply all these to his/her work with senior staff. 

Financial Transparency and Collaboration 

The Vice President will join a community that understands current financial realities and that 

wants to participate in the discussion of financial issues affecting Beloit’s future. The Vice 

President and his/her team will partner with other members of the college campus to develop a 

multi-year, transparent, collaborative, operating and capital budget planning process. She or he 

will also oversee the important financial modeling and scenario development to support the 

realization of the college’s strategic and master plans. 

A Strong and Supportive Board of Trustees 

The Board of Trustees is committed to Beloit College and supportive of the college’s strategic and 

campus planning. That board is committed to working closely with the Vice President and with 

the President on the financial analyses and scenarios to support those plans as well as to maintain a 

strong financial position for the college. 

Partnerships with the City of Beloit 

In recent years the college and the city have established a very strong partnership as evidenced by 

several projects that have served the college and the city very well. The Vice President will be a 

key contact between the city and the college. 

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 

While enjoying the attractions described above the Vice President will take advantage of the 

opportunities and face the challenges described below. In particular, Beloit’s Vice President will 

need to embody strong, nimble and entrepreneurial leadership to help carry out ambitious, 

visionary plans during challenging times with constrained resources and increasing competition. 

Develop a Strategic Partnership with the President and the Senior Staff 

As the President and senior staff implement Beloit’s strategic and campus master plans, the need 

for strong financial planning in support of those efforts has become increasingly clear. The 

constraints and uncertainties of the current economic climate also contribute to the sense that 

continued strategic financial strength and acumen will be needed on the senior leadership team. 

The President and senior staff will welcome the financial expertise of the Vice President to 

support their efforts to analyze, evaluate and prioritize each of the various long and short-range 

strategic goals envisioned. The Vice President will present to the board and the campus 

community the college’s overall financial position and will also work to identify potential new 

revenue sources, and develop innovative funding options. 

A New Budget Planning Process 

The Vice President will introduce and develop a multi-year, operating and capital budget planning 

process that will align with the goals of the strategic and master planning processes and 

demonstrate a new model of transparency and collaboration in the budget planning process. 

Support in Enrollment 

Enrollment is among the college’s highest priorities. Beloit aspires to enroll a diverse group of 

students who will become societal leaders in every part of the nation and world: men and women 

who will shape the 21st century as scholars, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, public servants, and 

influential members of the professions. Application growth over the last ten years has gone from 

1,875 applications to over 2,200, meeting enrollment goals in each of those years. A welldeveloped 

marketing plan integrates new and traditional media, and a partnership with Applied 

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Policy Research helps manage financial aid and net tuition revenue. Lawrence, Macalester, 

Grinnell, Knox, Carleton, and Oberlin are on the short list of Beloit’s overlap schools. The Vice 

President plays a key role in analyzing, planning and supporting stable and secure enrollment 

combined with growing net tuition in the future. 

Analyze and Support Capital Investment Needs 

Beloit College has raised funds to construct important new buildings on campus; and the college is 

in the early stages of understanding how its many varied spaces on campus – many of which are 

historically important – can best be used to promote the mission of the college in a 21 st century 

world. Thus, as the college moves to carry out a new campus master plan, the Vice President will 

need to help shape the future vision of space-use and identify the resources both to construct new 

buildings and maintain the existing buildings in the best possible condition. 

Enhance Service Quality, Effectiveness and Efficiency 

An on-going expectation for the Vice President is to foster an organizational culture and 

infrastructure that supports operational excellence, delivers quality customer service, and promotes 

smart and informed decision-making. The Vice President will analyze the current organization and 

practices in Finance to ensure that Finance is most effective and efficient in providing services to 

the college, using best practices supported by measurable standards. The Vice President will 

review the division organization to ensure that all staff members have the support and resources 

they need to serve those with whom they work within a program of continuous improvement. 

Foster a Culture of Openness, Inclusion, and Transparency 

The Vice President will model and promote a dynamic customer service orientation and encourage 

an openness of communication and transparency in decision-making and information 

dissemination. Acting as a strategic partner to the President and the senior staff, the Vice President 

will assist them in coordinated institution-wide planning while providing professional financial 

leadership, bringing a positive attitude and an approach that seeks workable and creative solutions. 

Increase Diversity 

The Vice President will actively participate in increasing diversity across the campus in the 

faculty, staff and student bodies. The Vice President will also encourage and support all Human 

Resources efforts to foster an inclusive workplace across the campus. 

Finance and Development 

In November 2012, President Bierman introduced to the college community Fast Forward: The 

Campaigns for Beloiters, the college’s modular or project-based campaign strategy that centers 

around six specific areas of focus. Beloit’s distinctive approach is a departure from the current and 

more traditional comprehensive campaign model of fundraising in higher education. The 

comprehensive campaign model, which very often fixates on a total-raised dollar goal, has been 

successful for many schools, including Beloit. Now, however, Beloit will focus its efforts on a 

handful of college-set, mission-centric priorities. This approach not only requires the college to 

think differently about priorities, but also requires donors to act and give more quickly. 

The college intends to raise funds to support curricular innovation and classroom work through the 

“Liberal Arts in Practice” module, as well as focus on raising dollars for scholarships, the 

endowment, and the annual fund, which was recently renamed the “Beloiter Fund.” The 

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“Renewing the Historic Core” module includes projects aimed at preserving and updating college 

spaces, as well as a facility project recently announced that could, if all goes well, turn a nearby 

power plant into an activity and recreation center for the college. 

The success of this new form of campaign will require an enhanced partnership between Finance 

and Development to ensure key relationships between people and systems are in place to achieve 

best practices in accountability and stewardship. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AGENDA 

With the unveiling of Fast Forward: The Campaigns for Beloiters, Beloit College stands poised to 

align its financial programs and services with an academic program that will significantly 

strengthen and add distinction to the student experience. Beloit’s strong reputation for innovation 

is not confined to the classroom, and the Vice President will: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Develop and provide leadership for the college’s financial strategies. 

Work closely with the President and relevant committees of the Board of Trustees in 

developing, managing and reporting on financial, property and audit activities. 

Partner actively and creatively with the President, members of senior staff and the Academic 

Strategic Planning Committee to understand and coordinate planning activities across the 

college while developing financial and administrative support and solutions to advance the 

college’s mission. 

Establish effective relationships with principal budget managers across the institution to 

better take advantage of unrestricted and restricted budgets towards the greater achievement 

of the college’s mission. 

Oversee all aspects of accounting and financial management systems, including the 

development, coordination and implementation of financial policies, reports and controls. 

Coordinate and manage the development, implementation and continuous monitoring of the 

annual budget process. 

Communicate the institution’s actual performance compared to budgets and objectives. 

Conduct periodic review and recommend improvements to ensure the integrity of the 

institution’s financial information and compliance with state and federal regulations. 

Oversee and coordinate the activities of the annual external audit and year-end financial 

reporting. 

Establish and maintain sound relationships with financial institutions, including commercial 

and investment banks. 

Organize and prioritize the use of human, financial, and physical resources to optimize 

operations. 

Establish staffing structure, motivation, and expectations to develop strong teams; monitor 

performance and provide feedback as appropriate. 

Maintain effective relationships with other members of senior staff, faculty, and 

administrative staff to inform and facilitate the work of the division. 

Represent Beloit College to external constituencies always conscious of its stature and 

prestige, giving attention to all factors affecting its reputation. 

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QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 

Success for the Vice President for Finance and Planning/Treasurer at Beloit College will be in 

great part determined by these factors: vision, leadership, and the ability to establish strong 

strategic partnerships with the President, senior staff, on-campus departments and programs, the 

Board of Trustees, the local community, and external financial institutions. The Vice President 

will be an experienced leader with a passion for Beloit’s mission and its model for residential 

liberal education and an understanding of its value. She or he will be a consummate professional 

who embraces a team environment and works with colleagues in the spirit of partnership, 

transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The new Vice President will lead and develop a talented 

staff and empower them to create and sustain a culture for financial health and growth. 

The Vice President for Finance and Planning/Treasurer will be a strategic leader with a bachelor’s 

degree and preferably an MBA or equivalent and eight years of progressively responsible 

leadership experience in a complex higher education, not-for-profit, or public administration 

institution with responsibilities for budgetary and financial accountability and demonstrated 

experience creating financial strategies to support and enhance institutional and strategic priorities. 

Personal attributes should include strategic vision, excellent leadership skills, a strong work ethic, 

high energy, excellent written and oral communication skills, tact and confidentiality, a sense of 

humor, and unquestionable integrity. The successful Vice President will possess and demonstrate: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experience as a proven leader in an organization of relevant size and complexity; evidence 

of vision, collaboration, as well as a service and entrepreneurial orientation in developing 

progressive financial and business policies and practices; 

Experience and expertise in strategic, comprehensive, multi-year budget development and 

implementation, in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of financing techniques, financial and 

ratio analysis, endowment and debt management as well as familiarity with business and 

finance operations in an academic institution; 

Ability to crystallize complex financial information into lay terms and to effectively 

articulate the college’s financial vision, strengths, goals, and requirements to a wide range of 

audiences, both internal and external; 

Experience with strategic planning, campus master planning and the ability to apply critical, 

conceptual and strategic thinking to important financial, academic and administrative issues 

across the university; 

Understanding of the collaborative role that an accounting office can play in helping budget 

managers make wise strategic and tactical decisions with resources; 

Executive-level problem-solving and organizational skills and the ability to function in a 

complex, high demand environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously; 

Ability to lead effectively within and across units, using collaboration, strong listening skills, 

and persuasion to guide decision-making and influence critical operations; a proven team 

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player, with the ability both to advocate and to partner with others; as well as skill as a 

negotiator and experience reviewing and realigning systems, policies and personnel; 

 

 

 

 

Knowledge and understanding of a shared governance system; 

A global perspective and experience in working on the financial support and management of 

international study programs; 

Commitment to embracing and enhancing diversity, affirmative action, and equal 

opportunity; 

Understanding of and commitment to the mission and goals of a liberal arts education and a 

willingness to play an active role in the life of the college. 

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY 

Although the position will remain open until an appointment is made, applicants should submit 

materials by April 8, 2013 to ensure full consideration. Candidates should provide a cover letter 

describing their interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume, and a list of five 

references, who will not be contacted without permission of the candidates. All materials will be 

treated as confidential and should be submitted via email to BeloitVPF&P@wittkieffer.com. 

Confidential inquiries, recommendations and nomination of possible candidates, and questions 

concerning this search may be directed to the College’s consultant, Karen L. Goldstein at 561-862- 

7569 or at kgoldstein@wittkieffer.com. 

Beloit College is committed to the educational benefits of diversity 

and encourages all interested individuals to apply. AA/EEO Employer. 

The material presented in this position specification should be relied on for informational purposes 

only. This material has been copied, compiled, or quoted in part from Beloit College documents 

and personal interviews and is believed to be reliable. While every effort has been made to ensure 

the accuracy of this information, the original source documents and factual situations govern. 

Witt/Kieffer is the nation’s leading executive search firm dedicated to serving education, health 

care, and not-for-profit communities nationwide. Our mission is to identify outstanding leadership 

solutions for organizations committed to improving the quality of life. Witt/Kieffer has served 

more than 800 colleges and universities, as well as community, cultural, and service organizations. 

We focus on searches for presidents/chancellors; provosts; vice presidents for advancement, 

finance, student affairs, enrollment management, and technology; deans; and directors of major 

service/academic units. 

WITT / KIEFFER 16

Vice President for Finance & Planning/Treasurer - Beloit College

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