UNCG Faculty and Staff,
I am pleased today to announce that after a national search, UNCG will welcome Bob Shea as our new Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, beginning on May 1. Bob currently has a similar role at Elon University, a nationally recognized institution experiencing significant growth.
While at Elon, Bob helped to spearhead the university’s 10-year strategic plan and led major construction projects including building an on-campus hotel and renovating residence halls. He has also guided Elon’s strong financial performance, delivering an annual operating surplus while managing more than $900m in total assets, and helping the Elon endowment reach a record $291 million (as of December, 2019).
Prior to joining the leadership team at Elon, Bob was a senior fellow at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the professional association of CFOs in higher education, where he led the Higher Education Economic Models Project and the Endowment and Debt Management Forum. He was also Vice President for Business Affairs at the four-campus Community College of Rhode Island system and an advisor to the Commissioner for Higher Education for the State of Rhode Island.
A veteran, Bob retired in 2007 from the US Navy as an accomplished aviator and with the rank of captain. He served for twenty-five years with postings around the United States and the world, culminating his naval career with three years on the faculty at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Bob stood out in a very strong national field. It was clear to all of us that he brings the kind of strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and rock-solid financial acumen to UNCG that is essential – especially right now in this most challenging environment. He has shown repeatedly that he can lead major projects and complex organizations. Throughout his career – in the Navy and in higher education – he has proven himself to be a strong, creative, and committed leader. We are pleased that after a national search, the ideal candidate was someone who already has a presence in North Carolina, and has an appreciation for what makes UNCG so vital to our region and so unique on the higher education landscape.
Shea lives in Burlington, NC, with Tracey, his wife of thirty-four years, and they have raised two sons together.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Charlie Leffler, who joined us last October on an interim basis and has been critical in helping to drive our transformative strategic plan forward with experience and compassion. Charlie is staying on through April and will be working with Bob to ensure a seamless transition.
Please join me in thanking Charlie and welcoming Bob.
Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.