Strategy, Operations and Finance - Staff

Susan Howarth was named Executive Vice President for Strategy, Operations and Finance in June 2019.  She is responsible for all financial activities for the University to include ensuring compliance with all institutional and external fiscal reporting requirements.  She also directs the human resource function, coordinates the financial planning, budgeting and policy analysis, oversees WKUs Center for Research and Development, oversees accounting, risk management, treasury and supply chain management, oversees university wide information technology services, directs the operational business service and auxiliary units for the University, coordinates the strategic planning function and acts as a strategic advisor to University leadership on operational and financial issues.

Prior to Susan’s arrival at Western Kentucky University, she served in various capacities at the University of Louisville for thirty years.  Most recently she served the University as Vice Provost and Chief Budget Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer.  She was also in a strategic Decision Support role in the development of the University’s first comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management Plan.  Earlier in her career she was Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning and Director of the Office of Planning and Budget.

Susan spent her freshman year as a Hilltopper at WKU and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Louisville.  She then earned her master of science in Finance from Northern Illinois University.