Office of the President

ADRIANA ROJAS

Fiscal Innovation Executive | Senior Financial Administrator | Higher Education Leader

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Mission-Centered, Highly Effective Fiscal Innovation & Higher Education Leader with 28+ years of experience in service, administrative, and auxiliary portfolios.

I possess a unique and demonstrated skillset of financial acumen within esteemed educational institutions, constantly working to synthesize all efforts towards greater organizational goals, invest in staff growth, and provide visionary leadership that ultimately improves trust and efficiency across all university units and levels of the organization.

SELECT CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Currently manage the Auxiliaries and Fiscal Innovation portfolio consisting of nine departments with a total budget of $85M, serving 4,000+ residential students (The University of California, Merced)

• Chief Financial Officer of a $130M auxiliary portfolio through the 2020 pandemic

• Creating stabilized operational units in crisis through the development of staff and processes and procedures to create highly functional and excellent service units within IT, Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Communications, and Administration (The University of Texas at Austin)

• Creating work cultures where staff stay twice the median tenure allowing for the successful implementation of long-range plans

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Financial Leadership

• Higher Education Administration

• Leadership & Decision-Making

• Administrative Management

• Communication & Advisory Skills

• Collaboration & Teamwork

• Change Management

• Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge

• Facilities Management

• Financial Strategic Planning

• Public Administration & Governance

• Entrepreneurial Mindset

EXPERIENCE

The University of California, Merced | Merced, CA
2023 – Present
Associate Vice Chancellor – Auxiliaries and Fiscal Innovation

I joined this university for the opportunity to be part of a new and growing institution serving a diverse population of students. My experience in creating trust and efficiency would allow me to help support an area that lacked stability, structure, and mission.

• Manage strategy development, systems planning, and change management for a portfolio of over 200 staff and over 400 student employees. Units include Housing, Dining, Residence Education, Cat Card, Transportation and Parking, Hospitality, Early Childhood Education Center, third-party retail, and Auxiliaries Facilities.

• Managed operating budgets and financial resources for nine units totaling $85M.

• Performed financial analysis to help units satisfy fiscal responsibility while providing reasonable service costs.

• Establish mission and macro-level goals, leading subordinate management to develop aligned departmental goals.

• Began work to improve staff culture through professional development and organizational alignment initiatives.

• Began establishing metrics for department and employee goals to measure effectiveness and operational efficiency.

• Managed multi-million-dollar housing, dining, vending, pouring rights, and retail contracts.

• Reviewed billing and reporting processes with a future-focused infrastructure approach.

• Participated in strike staffing planning.

• Represented Student Affairs as a demonstration response team lead during Spring/Fall 2023 protests.

The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX
1999 – 2023

Over 24 years, served in multiple financial and leadership roles, ultimately as Senior Director of Business Services for University Housing & Dining.

Senior Director, Business Services – University Housing and Dining
2020 – 2023

Business Director III – University Housing and Dining
2017 – 2020

• Provided strategic counsel as part of senior leadership.

• Managed a $130M budget including Housing, Dining, Conferences, and Facilities.

• Forecasted short- and long-term financial models and feasibility reports.

• Served as Chief Financial Officer managing a staff of 50 across finance, accounting, marketing, IT, contracts, occupancy management, conferences, and administration.

• Developed annual financial plans, rates, budgets, and pro formas for business opportunities and construction projects.

• Optimized operations through automation and process improvement.

• Fostered collaboration and teamwork.

• Ensured adequacy of financial controls across accounting, cash management, purchasing, vendor relations, and payroll.

• Served as liaison to key stakeholders and professional organizations.

Associate Director – Business & Financial Services
2013 – 2016

• Designed and directed systems for payroll, financial reporting, accounting, and administrative services.

• Served as Chief Business Officer for Utilities and Energy Management.

• Planned, forecasted, and managed utility rates and billing systems.

• Coordinated a $75M fiscal budget.

• Managed capital project financials exceeding $200M.

• Oversaw personnel, payroll, safety, travel, and workers’ compensation processing.

• Managed project accounting staff.

• Played a key role in implementing a cloud-based utility billing system.

• Served as business technical expert for Integrated Work Management System selection.

Finance Manager – Utilities and Energy Management
2005 – 2013

Accounting Group Supervisor – Utilities and Energy Management
2004 – 2005

• Managed accounting units including Personnel, AP, AR, Reconciliation/Inventory, and Utility Billing.

• Implemented new utility billing software (ENURGY).

• Analyzed financial data and developed monthly and ad hoc reports.

• Assisted with budget processes and utilities rate structures.

• Developed Standard Operating Procedures.

• Audited transactions for regulatory compliance.

• Reconciled project accounts and served as primary audit contact.

Accounting Group Supervisor – Payroll Services
2001 – 2004

• Evaluated tax status of international visitors and students.

• Modified payroll systems to meet new requirements.

• Supervised staff of 15.

• Prepared 1042 and 1042-S forms.

• Reconciled clearing accounts.

• Assisted in organizing a Payroll Conference for Texas universities.

Accounting Group Supervisor, Financial Reports – Office of Accounting
March – December 2001

• Supervised E&G Fund Accountant and administrative staff.

• Supported special reconciliation and reporting projects.

• Acted as Interim Supervisor for Inventory Section.

• Assisted with budget group creation and year-end inventory.

• Prepared policy presentations.

• Maintained plant fund duties.

Accountant II – Office of the Vice President of Business Affairs
March – June 2000

• Performed financial analysis for Environmental Health & Safety, Parking and Traffic, UT Police Department, and Faculty Center.

• Assisted in annual budget reviews.

Accountant III, Financial Reports – Office of Accounting
2000 – 2001

Accountant II, Inventory Section – Office of Accounting
1999 – 2000

• Maintained plant assets and prepared schedules for Annual Financial Reports.

• Processed construction vouchers, bond sales, and debt service payments.

• Managed accounts for major construction projects.

• Assisted with GASB 34 depreciation schedules.

• Maintained inventory records and supervised inventory staff.

• Supported fiscal year-end reconciliation and state property accounting.

EDUCATION

Doctoral Candidate – Higher Education Administration & Leadership
Liberty University (In Progress)

Executive Masters – Public Leadership / Public Affairs
University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting)
Texas A&M University

SOFTWARE

Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook; COGNOS; FAMIS; ENURGY Utility Billing; DEFINE; WorkDay; QuickBooks

ACTIVITIES

Planning & Zoning Commissioner | City of Manor (2015 – 2017)
Volunteer | Texas State Independent Living Council (2015)