O'Donnell Appointed as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

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Tim O'Donnell, vice chancellor for finance and administration.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Timothy J. O’Donnell was selected as the vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas effective March 1, after leading the division in an interim capacity since July 1, 2014. O’Donnell previously served as associate vice chancellor for budget and financial planning.

“Tim O’Donnell has done an excellent job leading the division of finance and administration since 2014 and has proven that he is the right person moving forward,” said Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz. “This is an important position that impacts everything the university does and having someone with Tim’s leadership abilities, institutional knowledge and experience gives us great confidence. This is especially important given the current challenging financial times we face in higher education.”

Seven units report to the vice chancellor for finance and administration including facilities management, human resources, information technology services, business and administrative strategic information systems, business affairs, financial affairs and the university police department.

“The University of Arkansas is such a great institution, with so many loyal and dedicated faculty and staff, so I’m honored to be able to continue working with them in this role,” O’Donnell said.

“From the perspective of the faculty, we’ve appreciated Tim’s approach to fiscal management and his openness in discussing financial issues impacting the faculty,” said John Rupe, immediate past chair of the Faculty Senate.

While serving in the interim role, O’Donnell has overseen the refunding of several debt issues on campus resulting in significant financial savings; instituting new procedures to generate efficiencies in several operational areas; implementing a new paycard option for payroll and offering electronic W-2s; the use of body cameras by UAPD police officers; the continued progress toward campus facilities upgrades; major progress toward improving campus wireless access; and improved stabilization of network, servers and other systems. 

O’Donnell, who is a member of the University Executive Committee reporting directly to Chancellor Steinmetz, made an immediate positive impact to campus operations, working on the development of additional financial accountability measures in the budget and financial reporting areas in addition to serving on the university’s Freedom of Information Task Force.

He is noted for his strong accounting skills, including financial statement preparation and reporting, budgeting and financial analysis. He has been particularly commended for his strong background in various industries, preparing him well for a career in higher education.

Prior to joining the U of A in 2013, O’Donnell’s experience in financial management and administration included a 22-year career with Southwestern Energy Co., where he rose to the position of vice president and served as treasurer.

O’Donnell is a native of Davenport, Iowa, graduated with a bachelor of business administration in accounting from the University of Iowa, is a certified public accountant (inactive) and holds membership in both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.