Our Guiding Principles
Devoted to our mission.
Committed to our vision.
Driven by our values.
These guiding principles shape who the Finance Division is, and who we endeavor to become.
Our Mission
To provide strategic, predictive, data-informed
financial service and guidance to
address challenges, explore opportunities,
and ensure the university's financial sustainability.
Our Vision
We aspire to go beyond simply fulfilling
our purpose and function within the institution.
We have a shared vision of what we can achieve
collectively:
To innovate, elevate, drive value
creation, and provide financial stewardship
that advances the university’s mission.
Pursuing the goals outlined in this Strategic Plan—
while staying true to our Finance Division core values—
will make this vision a reality.
Our Core Values
Unwavering Integrity
"In the face of increased demands and the need for enhanced reporting, unwavering integrity means staying committed to transparency, accountability, and ethical standards. Unwavering integrity guides every decision, ensuring that all actions are taken with clarity, honesty, and a strong sense of responsibility to the institution and its partners."
Elizabeth Callaway
Director, Sponsored Projects Accounting/ Receivables
Winner, 2025 Champion of Core Values FAndy Award
Collaborative Innovation
"Collaborative innovation means working across departments to streamline research administration, ensure compliance, and share insights that improve university-wide processes. Cross-departmental partnerships have the potential to create hands-on learning opportunities and strengthen the financial ecosystem at CMU."
Rhonda Kloss
Director of Sponsored Research Administration, College of Engineering
Winner, 2025 Finance Center of Excellence Key Ambassador Award
*This value is represented by an indvidual or group outside the Finance Division who are active partners in the ecosystem of the Finance Center of Excellence.
Entrepreneurial Leadership & Convergent Enhancement
"Entrepreneurial leadership means challenging the status quo, championing new ideas, and empowering individuals--especially in finance, where innovation drives better decisions and broader impact across the university."
"Convergent enhancement happens when individuals and teams take time to gain new knowledge and skills that result in increased confidence and more effective and efficient performance."
Jeff White
Senior Manager, Business Applications Development and Support
Winner, 2025 Innovator FAndy Award
High Quality Service
"High quality service in finance builds trust, ensures accuracy, and reflects integrity–all essential for driving informed, strategic decisions across the university."
Collin Haney
Staff Accountant, Taxation
Winner, 2025 Rising Star FAndy Award
Inclusive Excellence & Intellectual Curiosity
"Inclusive Excellence embeds inclusion into strategy, cultivates belonging to strengthen collaboration, and empowers individuals to drive lasting change."
"Intellectual curiosity means approaching challenges with a willingness to rethink assumptions, take thoughtful risks, stay open to feedback, and adapt with new insights. It's about engaging actively, asking sharper quesitons, and turning learning into meaningful change."
Julie Hakim Azzam
Communications Project Manager, Finance Training and Communications
Winner, 2025 Inclusive Excellence Award
Strength in Execution
"When our heart is in the work, strength in execution becomes the foundation that drives our division's commitment to moving the university's mission forward with an unwavering precision and integrity."