University News
Sutton Named Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration
June 7, 2021
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Shannon Sutton, director of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) at Western Illinois University, has been named the interim vice president for finance and administration (VPFA) at Western Illinois University, effective July 1. Teresa Smith, who has served as the interim associate vice president for budget and finance since September 2020, will step down June 30.
Sutton has served as the director of Sponsored Projects since July 2012. She also served as WIU's acting associate vice president for budget and finance from Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2020. In addition, Sutton has been responsible for the oversight of the University's CARES Act funds.
Before being named director of OSP, she served as grants and contracts administrator II in WIU's Business Services' Accounting Office (2003-2012); as grants and contracts administrator I (1999-2003); as a staff auditor (certified public accountant) for Clifton Gunderson, LLC in Macomb (1996-1999); and as loan operations manager for MidAmerica National Bank in Macomb (1995-1999).
"I appreciate Shannon stepping into the role of interim vice president. Her many years of experience, her knowledge of WIU and her work as the acting associate vice president for budget and finance will allow us to continue to operate efficiently as we resume a national search for a permanent vice president," said President Guiyou Huang.
A Certified Public Accountant, Sutton received her MBA from the University of Denver and her bachelor's degree from Colorado State University.
A member of the president's senior leadership team, the vice president for finance and administration is responsible for all financial and campus operations, funds collection and recommending and implementing fiscal-, administrative- and personnel-related policies and procedures. The VPFA oversees the Budget Office, Financial Affairs Office, Equal Opportunity and Access, Human Resources, and Purchasing. The VPFA also has responsibility for general business management, which includes best practices in human relations, budgetary control, financial management, procurement and other related activities. The vice president for finance and administration serves as the University's Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
In addition, effective July 1, Facilities Management will move from the oversight of the Office of the President to the newly-organized Division of Finance and Administration.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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