12.3.24

Dear colleagues —

Dr. Ken Kriz, who has served as interim vice chancellor for finance and administration since May 2023, has shared his intention to transition from his interim leadership role effective August 2025 and return to his position as a distinguished professor of public administration in the College of Public Affairs and Education.

Ken has done commendable work as our interim VCFA and been a highly valued member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. I am so thankful he agreed to step into this position and apply his vast knowledge and experience in public finance to our budgeting process. Because of his leadership, the university’s approach to budgeting is more transparent and collaborative, and he has laid a firm foundation from which we have built a viable plan to reduce our deficit.

At his core, Ken is an amazing educator with a passion for teaching, and that passion has shone through as he has taught faculty and staff alike to better understand their budgets as well as the complexities of our funding model. His service to UIS through this interim role has delivered transformative value and better positioned us for the future.

We will launch a nationwide search for a permanent VCFA immediately and hope to have a successful hire in place this summer.

Thank you,

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield