From the Desk: Wrapping up Fiscal Year 26
As we head into the end of our fiscal and academic year, I reflect on much of the work and heavy lifting our team has done related to the major projects currently in play, but also the continued work ahead of us to continue to improve IU Finance. With so much going on, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your support and engagement.
Reflecting on the last year, we started down a path to find ways to enhance and improve IU Finance operations and functions. In doing so, we considered feedback from both external and internal reviews, our technology solutions and lifecycle, and our commitment to strong financial management and integrity. That journey has resulted in some impressive and important changes that will make our team stronger, responsive, and accountable for the work we provide our IU community. Here are some of the impactful improvements we have started in the last year:
- Project Horizon – Led by Hormaz Dubash and supported by many of you, we have begun the heavy lift of understanding the challenges our team has ahead of us regarding financial operations, assessment of the work and support we provide to the IU community and changes we can make to improve our operations and support of IU.
- Procurement Transformation – Led by Baris Kiyar and the Office of Procurement Services team, we aimed to better understand how industry and other higher education institutions manage procurement and purchasing. We plan to take best practices and policies from these groups to improve our support to IU, while clearly defining roles and responsibilities between those of us at the IU Finance level and those engaged in procurement and purchasing activities at the initiator level.
- Anaplan deployment – Led by Brett Dunn and the University Budget Office team, this major improvement in our budget software support is long overdue! Amid the development and construction of the fiscal year 2027 budget, this new tool will lead to greater flexibility when building and developing our IU budget, along with more robust reporting tools for all of IU to benefit from in the future.
- Internal Controls – Led by Anna Jensen and the Office of the University Controller team, stronger internal controls continue to be a focus to ensure accuracy and accountability related to our financial transactions. With support from Office of Procurement Services, we implemented the new parameters around the Accountable Plan and Independent Contractors to ensure compliance with IU policies and procedures and reduced risk for IU, all while educating and training the IU community.
- Organization realignment – As we continue to review our operations and support, we realize some of our operations might fit better into other areas of IU versus IU Finance. Led by Don Lukes, we transitioned the Fire Safety team to Public Safety under Ben Hunter to better align the safety and security of the IU community, being a partner to ensure we support IU and its mission.
We have started down a path to improve and strengthen IU Finance for the future. The items above are just the starting points for our continued success, but there is still more work to do as we tackle these big challenges and create great opportunities. As we implement these changes and improvements, we will be leaning on Sarah Chavez and her team to educate, train, and inform not only the IU Finance team, but all of IU. They have the heavy lift of ensuring the important changes we are all making today are understood by those working in our systems in the future.
So, at the end of this fiscal and academic year I can say with your support we have moved the needle and started down a path to make IU Finance stronger and improve on our operations. Thank you for all you have done to get us here and thank you for all that you do to keep us moving forward in the future.
Best,
Jason
Meet the Team
"Meet the Team" is a feature that introduces the individuals that make up the amazing teams across IU Finance. We ask each team the same 6 questions. This issue, we're introducing the Capital Finance and Investments & Financial Analysis teams.
What is your group’s official name and who are the awesome employees that make it up?
Capital Finance and Investments & Financial Analysis are two areas within the Office of the Treasurer. David DeForest, Matthew Odle, Brooke Pashley, Stevie Peterson, and Gail Bourkland make up the great Capital Finance team. Don Lukes, University Treasurer, and Brian Moellers in Investments & Financial Analysis are frequently part of our fun group. Our group loves animals, and we’d rather share our pet pics than selfies. See our org chart to check them out!
How would you explain your team’s role at IU to a student?
The Office of the Treasurer helps manage IU’s financial resources so the university can operate smoothly and plan for the future. Capital Finance oversees all aspects of bonds & notes, cash flow, forecasting, investment & debt accounting and financial reporting, and management of IU-held endowments. Investments & Financial Analysis manage IU’s financial assets to meet IU’s liquidity needs, preserve capital, and optimize returns/risks.
What’s one goal or initiative your group is focusing on?
Capital Finance is concentrating on having a backup for all major functions to ensure better business continuity. We’re improving coverage for key functions, most notably for investment reconciliations and the cash flow forecast, both of which heavily impact Investments & Financial Analysis. Cross training safeguards Treasury as a great place to work within IU and helps with Capital Finance productivity, since a “fresh set of eyes” improves the process.
What hobby or interest is surprisingly common among your team members?
Team members have animals to fill our lives with joy, laughter, and sometimes chaos.
What is a team tradition-- a special lunch, coffee run, or gathering--your group uses to celebrate an accomplishment or lift team spirits?
Seeing each other’s animal pics is a great way to start our in-person days.
How would you describe your team in one word and why?
Versatile would be the word because each person on the Capital Finance team has multiple functions, many of which benefit Investments & Financial Analysis.
Thank you to the Capital Finance and Investments & Financial Analysis teams for sharing a bit about yourselves with the division!
Swag winners 🎉
Twice a year, we randomly select three Finance staff members who previously received a Kudos in The Socket to win IU Finance swag. Our latest winners are featured below, along with their original nominations. Congratulations, and thank you for all you do!
Kris Blevins, Supplier Data Management
SDM’s Kris Blevins, with help from Joey Griffin and Aaron Hawes, completed a project updating nearly 3,500 BUY.IU supplier profiles that were originally imported from KFS. The project required a good deal of research, investigation, and problem solving. Submitted by Tyler Nichols
Meredith Coots, University Payroll
Meredith was recognized alongside John Brumley and Cassie Rosenburgh.
These three have been great at keeping our team on track with the payroll standard conversion project, as well as offering insight at multiple, hours long meetings for this process. Additionally, they continue to participate in other series of meetings to contribute to solutions for payroll compliance at IU overall. Their contributions hold great value, and I'm so thankful for their teamwork! Submitted by Margot Burke
Kara Peterson, Finance Shared Services
Kara has recently taken on additional responsibilities within our team, including leading another division. She oversees a group of finance managers who support the financial operations across many VPIT divisions. Kara is an integral part of our team’s culture and a key reason why we operate so effectively. On a personal note, I’ve learned and grown tremendously under Kara’s leadership. She consistently leads by example—demonstrating integrity, collaboration, and accountability—and has pushed me to become a stronger, more thoughtful leader. Her guidance has been instrumental in my own development and continues to shape the way I approach leadership and teamwork. Submitted by Keenan Mumma
HR Corner
New resources and other updates from IU Human Resources.
Congrats on a Successful Attestation Season!
Thank you to all leaders and staff who participated in Performance at IU conversations this spring. Conversation attestations were submitted for nearly 97% of all appointed staff employees within the Finance division.
Ensuring staff understand their responsibilities and can dialog with their supervisors helps build engagement across IU, and we appreciate your involvement! Employees and supervisors should keep the momentum going by planning for Development Conversations to explore opportunities for building skills and career growth.
My Voice at IU
This autumn, IUHR will conduct another My Voice at IU Staff Engagement Survey. This survey provides staff with an opportunity to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of our work environment thoughtfully and confidentially. All data is collected by Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm that adheres to strict confidentiality rules. Watch for your opportunity to get involved.
Out-of-State Employees – Tax Compliance
Friendly reminder: Employees working out of state must confirm that information in their Employee Center inside the Active Job Details tile. Stay compliant with tax law and ensure those employees complete the task. If an update is needed, you will be required to submit changes via eDoc.
Parenting Connections
Join Healthy IU in a casual drop-in space to connect with parents from across IU. Whether you are preparing to start a family, navigating early childhood or the teen years, or adjusting to adult children, these sessions offer support, conversation, and shared understanding.
Click the date to register: July 30, 12 p.m. (EDT)
New Employee Spotlight
Two new staff have joined IU Finance since our last issue! Get to know them by checking out their profiles.
Name: Natalie Patterson
Start date: March 16, 2026
Department and job title: Finance Shared Services, Financial Administration Specialist with IU Education Abroad
Get to know Natalie: I'm joining Indiana University as a former student, with an educational background in accounting and a master's degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University. My professional experience spans accounting, financial administration, and operational support across healthcare, automotive, and higher education environments. I value creating authentic connection, continuous learning, and spaces where people feel supported, encouraged, and able to grow.
Any hobbies or special interests you’d like to share? Outside of work, I enjoy various types of art and music, personal development, creative journaling, hiking, kayaking, and following MLS.
Name: Mo Alam
Start date: May 4, 2026
Department and job title: Procurement Services, Procurement System Leader
Get to know Mo: I consider myself a servant leader. My passion is serving people by utilizing technology and business principles to solve problems and drive value. I have worked in higher education for a little over eight years, with experience managing enterprise software for purchasing, financial reporting, and student housing departments across various universities. Holding a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems and a master's degree in Business Administration, I bring a strong blend of both business and technical experience to IU.
Any hobbies or special interests you’d like to share? My interests include social work and volunteering, keeping up with financial sector and financial technology, reading books, and trying out new restaurants.
Department News & Updates
Get up to speed on what's been happening in IU Finance.
Financial Enterprise Engagement (FEE)
Project Horizon continues to make progress as the initiative moves from discovery into planning for the future. Since our last update, the Voice of the Customer and Financial Activity Analysis surveys have concluded, providing valuable insight into how financial work is performed across Indiana University and how IU Finance is perceived by leaders throughout the institution.
Over the past several months, IU’s consulting partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has reviewed survey results, conducted stakeholder interviews, and gathered information about current financial processes. This work is helping the IU project team develop a comprehensive understanding of our financial operations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and enhance the overall experience for faculty, staff, and students.
The next phase of Project Horizon will focus on developing recommendations and prioritizing the roadmap for the future. For the recommendations, process mapping workshops will be executed to ensure we are capturing the needs of all campuses. In the workshops, teams will evaluate opportunities to standardize financial processes, clarify roles and responsibilities, solidify the initiator steps, and modernize the way financial services are delivered across the university. Communication and change-management planning are also underway to ensure the IU community remains informed as the project progresses.
Thank you to everyone who participated in surveys, interviews, and other project activities. Your feedback will help shape the future of financial operations at IU. We look forward to your input and involvement as we move into Phase II.
Financial Training & Communications
At the end of March, Sarah Chavez and Angus Burke facilitated ten focus groups with Fiscal Officers (FOs) from across IU to hear their thoughts on Office of the University Controller (UCO) resources. During each focus group, the IU Accounting Standards, FO Newsletter, UCO website, and future training needs were discussed. Sarah kept the conversations going while Angus completed the crucial tasks of capturing participant responses and keeping them organized. The team used NotebookLM to review the incredibly insightful feedback and identify themes and potential improvements. Findings were presented to UCO in May.
On April 20, the training team attended the Bloomington Staff Resource Fair. In addition to an awesome assortment of swag (thanks to our friends in Purchasing), the team debuted a new brochure that showcases their services. Juliet designed the brochure ahead of the resources fair. Click here to check out a PDF version! Hoosier the Bison stopped by the table to get his passport stamped and strike a pose.
Juliet Roberts continues to develop new documentation to support IU travel arrangers. The travel reimbursement section of the Documentation Library now boasts a video and written guide for common expenses. Now in development: written guides for reconciling prepaid travel, like flights booked in Egencia. Finally, Juliet collaborated with our Campus Resource group and Travel Management Services to develop non-employee email templates. Travel arrangers should use these email templates when inviting a guest to clearly define what travel IU is paying for, what the guest is expected to cover, and IU’s receipt requirements for reimbursement. You can find them in Procurement’s Forms & Resources Library.
Office of the Treasurer
On July 1, IU's Loss Control team will transition from the Office of the Treasurer to Public Safety's Emergency Management division. The team, which conducts inspections and helps protect university facilities from risks such as fire, flooding, and other hazards, will join colleagues responsible for emergency preparedness and response across the university. Bringing these functions together under one organization will strengthen coordination and help ensure IU is well-positioned to prevent, prepare for, and respond to a variety of incidents.
The Office of the Bursar continues its partnership with University Communications and Marketing (UCM) to improve communication with students and families. Over the past year, the team has worked to provide more timely, targeted information that helps students better understand billing, payment options, and important deadlines. These efforts are already showing positive results, with improvements in accounts receivable and cash collection performance.
Treasury Operations continues to identify opportunities to improve services and streamline processes. Recent efforts have included enhancements to wire transfer processing, updates to the Treasury website, and improvements to the university's signature delegation log – a record of all the people at the university that have authority to sign contracts and agreements – making this information more accessible and easier for departments to navigate.
Earlier this spring, Moody's Investors Service representatives visited Bloomington as part of the university's ongoing credit rating review process. Indiana University remains one of only seven public higher education institutions in the nation to hold an Aaa long-term credit rating with Moody’s and an AAA long-term credit rating with S&P Global, and the highest respective short-term credit ratings with both agencies, reflecting the university's strong financial position and long-term fiscal stewardship. The top ratings are in large part due to high student demand and IU’s substantial balance sheet, particularly Cash & Investments as managed by the University Treasurer and Investments & Financial Analysis. This strong financial position is possible because of the efforts of IU Finance staff (and beyond). Thank you for all your hard work!
Office of the University Controller (UCO)
After more than a year of planning, communication, and system preparation, IU's updated Accountable Plan procedures have reached a major implementation milestone. Starting April 1, travel, P-Card, and out-of-pocket reimbursement expenses that are not substantiated within 60 days are tax reportable to employees in accordance with IRS Safe Harbor guidelines. This milestone was reached thanks to countless hours of effort from University Tax Services, Procurement Services, Training, and UCO’s Campus Controllers (to name a few).
Moving forward, tax reportable expenses will be added to employee payroll payments two months in arrears. For example, if a taxable expense was reported in April, it will impact the employee’s June pay. Said another way:
- April: Taxable expense reported
- May: Employee notified of taxable expense
- June: Employee pay impacted by taxable expense
UCO is also reviewing the university's use of gift cards and developing additional guidance and controls to support compliance with IRS requirements. Current university policy prohibits the use of gift cards except in approved research participant situations. Because gift cards are considered cash equivalents for tax purposes, UCO is evaluating existing practices and developing an accounting standard that will provide additional guidance on the proper handling, tracking, and reporting of gift card activity across the university.
These topics and more were discussed at the Spring Big10 Controller’s meeting which was held the last week of April. The bi-annual meeting was held at the University of Oregon’s campus in Eugene, Oregon. Anna Jensen and Margot Burke represented IU and had the opportunity to discuss issues of common concern, share best practices, and network. It was a great meeting!
Procurement Services
Procurement Services has launched a multi-year Procurement Transformation initiative designed to modernize, simplify, and strengthen procurement processes across Indiana University. The effort follows a comprehensive review conducted in partnership with Huron Consulting Group and is focused on improving speed, transparency, accountability, and the overall customer experience while maintaining compliance with state and federal requirements.
Contract review is a key component of this transformative work. Standardized terms and conditions are being developed in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel. If a supplier accepts these standardized terms, and the purchase is deemed low risk, additional IU contracts won’t be needed, substantially speeding up the purchasing process.
In the Travel realm, transformation takes the form of increasing IU’s use of designated travel agencies (DTAs), like Egencia, to reduce reimbursements and their associated Accountable Plan risks. DTAs also improve individual traveler safety and IU’s ability to know where our travelers are in emergency situations.
April was conference time for Travel Management as well! IU hosted the Spring Big10 Travel Managers’ Conference at the IMU. Travel professionals from across the Big10 came together to share exciting updates, explore the Bloomington campus, and network with colleagues. Thank you to Patty Cole, Priscilla Vincent, and Valerie Brenes for organizing an informative, engaging experience!
This summer, the eShipGlobal pilot test launches. This new shipping aggregator tool replaces UPS CampusShip, gives IU shippers access to multiple carriers, and incorporates compliance requirements for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the Research Security Office (RSO). The pilot testing period will identify ways to improve the tool and training needs. The implementation team anticipates a university-wide launch of the platform in the fall.
University Budget Office & Finance Shared Services (UBO and FNSS)
Following the announcement that IU selected Anaplan as its new budgeting and financial planning platform, the project is now moving into active development. Over the coming months, UBO staff, campus budget leaders, and FOs from across the university will participate in discovery and design sessions to help shape how the new system will support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning at IU.
The implementation team is starting this work by evaluating existing processes and identifying areas for improvement. Rather than recreate current workflows in a new platform, project teams will review pain points, gather stakeholder feedback, and incorporate higher education best practices as they design IU's future budgeting environment.
Once the discovery and design phase concludes, Deloitte, the selected implementation partner, will begin building IU's Anaplan environment, followed by testing in late 2026 and training in early 2027. The goal is for Anaplan to be used during FY28 budget construction.
Thank you to our staff, campus budget officers, FOs, and all our UA and campus partners who will contribute their expertise throughout the implementation process and help shape the future of financial planning at IU.
UBO recently announced a Finance Shared Services reorganization, with an anticipated effective date in August or September. While some details are still being finalized, the reorganization is intended to strengthen how we support UA units, improve consistency across teams, and create new opportunities for employees to grow and contribute in more meaningful ways.
The reorganization includes two major changes:
- Creation of a centralized transactional processing team to support requisitions, travel, and other routine workload across all UA units.
- Realignment of financial portfolios among Fiscal Officers to better balance workload and provide more consistent support across teams.
Why This Change Matters
This reorganization is designed to help us work more effectively as one Finance Shared Services organization. By centralizing transactional work and balancing portfolios, we can reduce duplicated effort, improve consistency, and create clearer ownership of processes and responsibilities.
For customers, this means a more standardized experience, improved process efficiency, and more reliable support across UA units.
For employees, this change creates opportunities to broaden skills, increase visibility, and contribute to work that has a larger impact across the organization. As we move toward implementation, the focus will remain on creating a structure that supports both our employees and our customers.
Kudos, Service Milestones & Celebrations
Take a moment to celebrate your colleagues' professional and personal accomplishments!
Kudos
Mel Lane, Insurance, Loss Control and Claims
Associate Director of the Office of Insurance, Loss Control and Claims (INLOCC), Mel Lane was recently recognized by two state entities at the Fire Inspectors Association of Indiana annual conference on March 18, 2026 in Noblesville Indiana. Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones presented Mel with the Meritorious Service Award from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. This highly prestigious award recognizes individuals for acts of meritorious and distinctive service within public safety. A recipient must have demonstrated 30 plus years of dedicated service, leadership, initiative, dependability, unselfishness and technical knowledge.
Fire Inspectors Association of Indiana (FIAI) Board President Josh Earl presented Mel with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the FIAI Annual Conference. This award is recognized as the highest honor that can be bestowed for Fire Inspectors in Indiana. It is reserved for individuals who have sustained excellence rather than isolated achievements marked by integrity, initiative, technical knowledge, and an unselfish dedication to the mission of public safety.
Submitted by: Anonymous
The UCO Customer Service team: Michelle Parks, Lora Monix, Lisa Goch, and Josh Browning
Kudos to the UCO Customer Service team! We wrapped up the 2026 tax season and processed the following tax-related customer inquiries: 918 CRM cases, 1030 phone calls, and 1079 FireForm requests. Plus a large number of fax and mail requests. Much appreciation to the team for all the hard work and positivity during this very busy (and sometimes exhausting!) tax season.
Submitted by: Andy Bruce
Lisa McCoy, Naomi Cohenour, Finance Shared Services
Regional Campus and Online Education (RCOE) leadership recognized Lisa McCoy and Naomi Cohenour for providing exceptional support and partnership in preparing the DC Capital Campus for move-in. Navigating a landscape of shifting timelines, building access challenges, and evolving occupancy requirements is no small feat, yet Lisa and Naomi met every hurdle with remarkable poise.
Lisa’s tireless persistence and attention to detail in procurement, paired with Naomi’s steady leadership and strategic guidance, ensured the RCOE team remained operational and focused despite a highly fluid environment. Their combined dedication, flexibility, and hard work have been instrumental to the unit’s success.
Submitted by: Brett Dunn
Becca Trestler, Finance Shared Services
Becca demonstrated exceptional initiative and leadership by stepping into expanded responsibilities during a critical period for IU Global. In the absence of her supervisor, she ensured continuity of day-to-day operations while also supporting key fiscal activities, including annual budget construction. Her willingness to take on additional responsibilities and maintain operational stability had a significant positive impact on the unit’s success and is greatly appreciated!
Submitted by: Brett Dunn
Vanessa Freeman, Jennifer Guynn, Purchasing
A big thank you to Vanessa Freeman and Jennifer Guynn for their outstanding support with the Anaplan software and implementation partner consulting contracts. Both procurement efforts involved months of coordination and complex review processes. Their technical expertise, attention to detail, and persistence in navigating multiple iterations of contract language were instrumental in helping the University Budget Office successfully finalize the agreements and launch the project on schedule. Their contributions were critical in moving this important initiative forward.
Submitted by: Brett Dunn
Sterling George, Cody Bunn, Office of the Controller
As Project Horizon kicked off, Sterling and Cody were instrumental in pulling several different sources of data for our consultant to review and for us to gather an accurate list of who should receive the Activity Analysis Survey. Thank you Sterling and Cody. You went above and beyond to meet our very short timelines!
Submitted by: Hormaz Dubash
Sara Baize and Dina Adkins, University Bursar
Sara and Dina were awarded the Office of the Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education (VPRCOE) Partner Award.
Here is the summary from the nomination:
Sara Baize and Dina Adkins are highly deserving of the VPRCOE Partner Merit Award for their exceptional service, innovation, and collaboration. They played a pivotal role in implementing a new process to apply workforce development funding to teacher apprentice bursar accounts, directly reducing financial barriers for students, all of whom are non-traditional and working adults. Their work significantly enhanced the student experience while improving operational
efficiency across multiple campuses.
Sara and Dina demonstrated outstanding service to students, staff, and community partners through their responsiveness, clarity, and commitment to problem-solving. They developed creative, scalable solutions in partnership with the IU Office of School Partnerships and WorkOne offices, ensuring a smooth and accessible process.
They model key IU competencies, including collaboration, adaptability, and a strong commitment to ethical conduct. Their efforts have strengthened cross-unit partnerships and meaningfully improved access, making a lasting impact on IU’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Submitted by: Anonymous
Sarah Chavez, Juliet Roberts, Financial Training & Communications
Huge thank you to Sarah and Juliet for the cascade of communications related to Project Horizon. They did a great job in effectively communicating the critical steps for the VoC and Activity Analysis survey to supervisors and employees, in addition to the website development and leadership messaging.
Submitted by: Hormaz Dubash
The Supplier Data Management team
Thank you, SDM, for another successful school year. You all successfully navigated many process changes (with more to come!) while exceeding Service Level Standards. I appreciate your care and dedication to our internal and external customers. Here's to another great school year!
Submitted by: Tyler Nichols
Jennifer Guynn, Purchasing
Jennifer earned her CPPB Certification, which is a national-level certification for public sector Procurement professionals.
Submitted by: Anonymous
The UCO Tax team: Bryce Adair, Andrea Bousman, Amber Hanners, Dulce Ruiz Lemus, Emily Ashby, Tonya Sego, and Lisa Keough
The team prepared, reviewed, filed, and received the acceptance for IU's annual Form 990-T filing for unrelated business income. This return takes months of preparation and review, and the dedication of this team for clear and concise documentation makes it easy for leadership to review. I am so grateful for all of their hard work on this while still juggling/prioritizing the many tasks Tax must handle on a daily basis.
Submitted by: Margot Burke
Belinda Arthur and Nikki Pavlopoulos, University Payroll
As summer approaches, Belinda and Nikki see a huge spike in requests like work study changes and county tax levies. These take a lot of time and organization. Nikki and Belinda both work so hard to keep things moving smoothly for employees and departments! Thank you both!
Submitted by: Anonymous
Josh Browning, UCO Customer Service
Josh is always ready to jump in wherever needed with the most good natured, team oriented attitude imaginable! Thank you for all you do Josh. You are very appreciated!
Submitted by: Anonymous
INLOCC Loss Control Team at Indianapolis: Rodney Johnson, Ron Troutt, Aaron Wood, Dan Sargent, and Eric Rumschlag
Kudos to the incredible team of INLOCC Fire Inspectors that perform the Loss Control responsibilities at the Indianapolis Campus. Led by IU Indianapolis Loss Control Manager Rodney Johnson, this team continues to demonstrate exceptional teamwork, professionalism, and dedication in support of Indiana University.
Through their collaborative approach and commitment to excellence, they work each day to identify hazards, educate building occupants, and help ensure campus facilities remain safe for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Their willingness to support one another, respond to every challenge with professionalism, and stay forever focused on the mission of full compliance reflects the very best of public safety service. The team’s ongoing efforts truly make a difference and reinforce Indiana University’s commitment to providing the safest possible environment for everyone on campus.
Submitted by: Anonymous
Kara Peterson, Finance Shared Services
Kara Peterson was featured in the IU Bloomington Staff Council’s Staff Spotlight. She was nominated by Keenan Mumma. Here’s what Keenan had to say about her:
Kara Peterson leads our contracts and grants efforts in UITS with remarkable skill and vision. She is an incredibly strategic thinker who brings a breadth of experience from multiple levels of the university to her role. Kara consistently finds creative solutions that streamline processes and save time, benefiting the entire university.
While Kara may not describe herself as warm and fuzzy, she is truly the culture setter of our team. She ensures employees feel heard and understood, fostering an environment where collaboration thrives. Kara also invests in the growth of her colleagues, working alongside them to develop their skills and supporting their future career aspirations.
Her combination of strategic insight, problem-solving creativity, and commitment to people makes Kara an invaluable leader and colleague, deserving of this recognition.
Submitted by: Keenan Mumma
The RPAq Team
The RPAq team handled a high volume of RPAq submissions while VPIT was bringing our auxiliary services into compliance. They were quick to follow up with necessary questions and were able to provide clarity when our service owners misunderstood a question or did not include all the required information. We are sure this was an unexpected uptick in volume to their team and they handled it very well!
Submitted by: UITS Finance Team
Service Milestones
Congratulations to the IU Finance staff who celebrated a service milestone last quarter! Be sure to congratulate them the next time you see them 😄
| Staff Member | Department | Anniversary Month | Years of Service at IU |
| Sadie Schmidt | Office of the Controller | April | 5 |
| Richard Wise | Procurement Services | April | 5 |
| Marisa Pratt | Finance Shared Services | April | 15 |
| Mary Byrde | Procurement Services | April | 20 |
| Dulce Ruiz Lemus | Office of the Controller | May | 10 |
| Maria Nguyen | Procurement Services | June | 5 |
| Melissa Johnson | Finance Shared Services | June | 10 |
| Michelle Harper | Procurement Services | June | 15 |
| Kara Peterson | Finance Shared Services | June | 20 |
| Bethany Phillips | Office of the Controller | June | 25 |
| Amanda Thoman | University Bursar | June | 25 |
| Kutina England | Insurance, Loss Control and Claims | June | 30 |
Celebrations
Celebrate Finance-family graduations and connections from the past quarter.
Job Openings
Are you or a friend looking for a new gig? Just curious what openings are available in IU Finance? We've got you covered. The job postings below are current as of June 12, 2026.
| Job description | Department | Link to Job Posting |
| Loss Control Inspector | This position moves to IU Public Safety on July 1, 2026 | Learn more |
| Director of Enterprise Risk Management | Office of the Treasurer | Learn more |
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is a way for the university to spot potential risks early and make informed decisions to reduce their impact. An ERM department is being established in the Office of the Treasurer. The Director of ERM will report to the Treasurer, Don Lukes, and lead IU’s risk management efforts day to day. This role will help identify and evaluate risks across the university and works with leaders and campus partners to address them. The director will also build and maintain tools, processes, and training to support a strong risk-aware culture. They will monitor emerging risks, support planning efforts, and share updates with university leadership and governance groups.
Upcoming Events
All times are listed in Eastern Time.
Road to Financial Wellness: Investing for Beginners
- Thursday, June 18, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
- Learn key investing concepts, common investment types, and how to choose your investment approach.
Juneteenth Holiday
- Friday, June 19
Care Talks by Care.com - Child care & parenting: Managing fear and anxiety in children
- Wednesday, June 24, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Uncover tactics to help children of all ages manage anxiety and fear.
Independence Day Holiday (Observed)
- Friday, July 3
Effective Presentation Skills for Leaders
- Monday, July 13, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Everyone can learn to become a more powerful speaker who influences and inspires their team. Presented by Supportlinc EAP, this webinar explores proven oratorical techniques, impactful word choices, and essential presentation do's and don'ts.
Gathering in Grief
- Tuesday, July 14, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
- Offered by Healthy IU, Gathering in Grief is an ongoing, peer-supportive space for IU employees to connect, share stories, and find comfort alongside others navigating any form of loss. Register for an upcoming session, or join the community's dedicated Microsoft Teams group to ensure you don't have to carry your grief alone.
Care Talks by Care.com - Succeed at work: Staying strong & resilient
- Thursday, July 16, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- How do you handle challenges and hardships? Get strategies to stay resilient, maintain a positive outlook, reduce stress, and keep moving forward despite adversity.
Parenting Connections
- Thursday, July 30, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
- Offered by Healthy IU, Parenting Connections is a casual, drop-in space for IU employees across all campuses to share advice and find encouragement through every stage of raising children. Register for an upcoming session or join the dedicated Microsoft Teams group to connect with fellow parents and build a supportive community.
Care Talks by Care.com - Helping older loved ones make the right housing choices
- Wednesday, August 19, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Learn to assess living situations, communicate about care options, explore different housing alternatives, and evaluate facilities for seniors and adults.
Care Talks by Care.com - Succeed at work: Juggling act, the "5 Buckets Principle"
- Thursday, August 20, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Are you struggling to find balance? Get practical strategies for an integrated approach to find balance in the five key areas of life: family/friends, work, giving back, finance, and health.
Don't forget to visit the Financial Training & Communications team events calendar for Office Hours and Info Sessions!
That's it for this issue! Looking for more? Check out The Socket archives.