Wilson College Announces New Vice President to Lead Business Operations

Wilson College has named Joseph Ryan MBA, MSBA, as the new vice president for finance and administration (VPFA). Ryan brings to Wilson a skill set developed after nearly 20 years in higher education at multiple institutions, with strengths in key areas of strategic leadership, budget and financial planning, operations, and resource management. He will begin his responsibilities at Wilson on February 1.

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Beginning at Temple University in Philadelphia, Ryan has progressed through continually increasing levels of responsibility and leadership roles, currently serving as the chief financial and administrative officer at the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering. In this capacity, his responsibilities include financial planning, analytics, facilities management, human resources, and information technology. Prior to joining the University of Delaware, Ryan spent over a decade at Temple University, in both the university controller’s office, and at the Fox School of Business as the college’s senior associate director of research, budgets, and administration. Over the course of his professional career, he has held numerous roles critical to the function and operations of higher education administration, most notably in budget and finance, procurement, operations management, and research.

With the assistance of Academic Search, an executive recruitment firm specializing in higher education leadership roles, Wilson conducted an exhaustive national search for this important position. “As we begin the development of a new strategic plan to help the College thrive into the future, we sought a strategic leader who understands the challenges facing higher education and brings a record of successfully navigating an institution to a position of strength,” said Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. “Joseph is a creative thinker who will be able to provide proactive solutions. He has a deep understanding of analytical forecasting and facilities management, which will be critical to our future success.” 

Reporting to the president of the College, the vice president for finance and administration collaborates with the president and other senior administrative team members in setting the direction of the college and achieving key strategic goals. The position works closely with the president, the executive team, academic deans and directors, faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to manage the College’s operating budget, financial accounting, and endowment, risk, and contract management.

“I am excited to join the Wilson family and look forward to working with President Fugate, the faculty and staff, and everyone in the Wilson community to continue the great work already being done, as we build together to position the College for a strong and successful future,” said Ryan.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from The Pennsylvania State University and Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) degrees from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.