Kelly Sparks, affiliate vp of finance and strategic planning at Oregon State College Cascades, has been named vp for finance and administration, and chief enterprise officer on the College of Maine, with a twin report back to the College of Maine System, efficient Oct. 10.

She fills the place of Joanne Yestramski, who had a two-year time period at UMaine starting in 2020.

“Kelly’s depth of expertise will likely be invaluable in advancing our R1 college and its regional campus,” says UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “Increased schooling is going through fiscal challenges associated to the pandemic and demographics, however at UMaine we even have distinctive alternatives for progress and innovation with the transformative funding by the Harold Alfond Basis. Kelly may have a crucial position in these initiatives and in partnering with the College of Maine System.”

Sparks’ practically 30-year profession in monetary administration and enterprise strategic planning consists of work in worldwide retail with Nordstrom and Coach, and in greater schooling. She additionally helped launch a nonprofit group to create an early childhood growth heart in Washington state.

She served as affiliate dean of finance and operations for the College of Oregon Faculty of Legislation from 2011–13 earlier than becoming a member of the Oregon State College group. Because the finance and operations chief at OSU-Cascades, Sparks has helped lead the enlargement of the brand new and first college department campus within the OSU system. 

Sparks has an MBA and a grasp’s diploma in East Asian research from Washington College in St. Louis.

“I’m thrilled to be becoming a member of the College of Maine and System,” Sparks says. “I sit up for persevering with a legacy of robust monetary administration and bringing artistic concepts to assist progress in years to come back.”