FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Colleen Briney, assistant dean for finance in the College of Engineering, has been named the new associate vice chancellor for business affairs at the University of Arkansas, effective July 1.

In this position Briney will be the chief business officer for the U of A, responsible for areas including procurement, accounts payable, travel and surplus property; Risk Management; Transit and Parking; Print-Mail-Copy services; the University Bookstore; and the Garland Center leased retail space. She will report to Tim O'Donnell, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Briney has worked at the U of A for 32 years, starting as a staff accountant in the Financial Affairs Office. She served as assistant fiscal officer in the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences and as director of accounting and information services in the Sam M. Walton College of Business prior to joining the College of Engineering.

“Colleen Briney brings a great deal of expertise to the associate vice chancellor position, in addition to her broad experience and understanding of this campus,” said O’Donnell. “The members of our search committee worked diligently to find the best person for this position: I’m delighted that person was so close to home.”

“I am humbled and excited to be appointed to the role of leading the Business Affairs division,” said Briney. “The university's traditions and transformational goals make this an amazing place and time to work. I am dedicated to using business analytics and innovation to streamline operations and to reduce the cost of doing business. I am also committed to upholding the U of A's standards of integrity, transparency, and excellence. I look forward to supporting the Business Affairs staff in their delivery of high quality goods and services to the university community.” 

Briney has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in accounting from Walton College. She was licensed as a certified public accountant in Arkansas in 1983.