Thanking Mark Diaz, Interim Executive Vice President for Business and Operations
A Message from Joel Towers, President and University Professor
I write to share my gratitude to Mark Diaz as he concludes his time as our Interim Executive Vice President (EVP) for Business and Operations at the end of December. While it’s been only a few months that I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with Mark, his expert focus on improving our financial and operational structures and services since he arrived last October has been clear and impressive.
Mark was appointed by Interim President Donna Shalala, who saw the need for an experienced interim leader to oversee the large and critical operational areas that support our academic mission. His immediate priority was to help the university achieve more effective, transparent, sustainable strategies for its budget and finances. Part of this work focused on taking steps to reduce the budget deficit. Other efforts included realigning the university’s operational investments, assets, and resources to more effectively support the academic mission. For example, under Mark’s leadership, we made enhancements to housing and residential life to support the student experience and we reintegrated continuing and professional education programs into the colleges. These efforts were designed to complement and support the strategic planning process and academic priorities identified by the Provost. Mark also guided a comprehensive review of and improvements to our campus safety operations.
The New School has benefited tremendously from Mark’s insights drawn from his deep experience in higher education. Above all, I’m grateful to Mark for creating the kind of momentum our next EVP can be excited to come into. In early January, we will announce this next leader for our Business and Operations areas. During the transition period, we will continue to rely on a superb team in the various B&O areas: Lisa Bonner (Business and Resource Services), Chris Brezil (IT), Loretta Ferrari (Financial Operations and Budget), Linda Hird (Asset and Risk Management), Alton Harmon (Labor Relations), Thomas Whalen (Safety and Facilities), and Sonya Williams (Human Resources). Please join me in extending our deep gratitude to them as well as to Mark as he concludes his service to The New School.