OUS Vice Chancellor for finance and administration
The Oregon University System selected a new vice chancellor for finance and administration Wednesday.
Jay Kenton is leaving his position as vice president for finance and administration at the University of Idaho and will begin the OUS job on April 1. Kenton’s appointment concludes a four-month selection process, according to an OUS press release.
Kenton’s resumé includes more than 15 years of experience at Portland State University in various finance and administrative jobs, including two years as the institution’s vice president for finance and administration.
Ron Bolstad, who holds the same position at Southern Oregon University, chaired the selection committee for OUS. He said the state organization needed someone who could support the team as it lobbies in the state legislature.
“Jay will have a major role in policy development,” Bolstad said. “His understanding of the Oregon University System in his prior service will serve him well in terms of helping to guide that policy development.”
Several dozen candidates met the minimum qualifications. Kenton’s experience along with his ability to build relationships and handle financial and management situations were the basis for his appointment,
Bolstad said.
“We have an exceptionally strong team now that will be looking after the requirements and needs of the seven Oregon institutions and doing their best to support our faculty and students through the classroom,” Bolstad said. “I’m very excited about Jay being appointed.”
OUS Acting Chancellor George Pernsteiner said the new vice chancellor will help to improve
the organization’s financial reporting and
analysis practices.
“I believe he will work very cooperatively with U of O,” Pernsteiner said in an interview. “I think he’ll work very hand-in-glove with all of the campuses.”
As part of the vice chancellor job, Kenton will be responsible for information services, planning, human resources and the controller’s office. He will also chair the OUS
Administrative Council.
Kenton attended Oregon State University and PSU. He has held professional positions at three OUS institutions: PSU, the Oregon Institute of Technology and Eastern Oregon University. He left his post at PSU for his current position at the University of Idaho in July 2004.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Kenton back in Oregon to help the University System achieve its important goals for students across the state,” Henry Lorenzen, president of the State Board of Higher Education, said in a press release.
“This position is a vital one in the on-going (sic) restructuring of the Chancellor’s Office towards (sic) greater accountability in the OUS and broader coordination with all public education sectors in the state,” Lorenzen added. “Dr. Kenton knows how to operate in a tight fiscal environment and still manage to keep a large institution united and on track to accomplish its objectives.”
“(Kenton) also will work closely with the leaders of the seven campuses to help achieve the vision the State Board has developed,” Pernsteiner said in the release. “This is an important role as the OUS
implements its strategy to work collaboratively across sectors to address the critical issues affecting
college access and affordability
for Oregonians.”
