New VP of administration to join NAU

The assistant vice president for Business and Finance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will join Northern Arizona University as the new vice president for Administration and Finance beginning March 13.

Kathe Munz Shinham will oversee the university’s business functions, including Human Resources, Capital Assets, police, parking and financial services.

She will replace Rich Bowen, who has served as interim vice president since fall 2004.

“I was thrilled to be asked to join the team and help make NAU an even greater university,” Shinham said. “I am very favorably impressed with President Haeger, the vice presidents and their vision for the university. They have a positive yet realistic attitude, and I believe their goals will be accomplished.”

Shinham, a certified public accountant, has worked in the University of Illinois system since 2003, serving as chief financial and business officer for the Urbana campus and liaison to the university central administration.

The Urbana campus has about 29,000 undergraduate students and 11,000 graduate and professional students.

Prior to joining her position in Urbana-Champaign, Shinham was associate vice president for Finance and Facilities at Northern Illinois University and comptroller at the University of Kansas. She also has held positions with the University of Maryland and with KPMG Peat Marwick in Chicago.

“We are eager to have Kathe bring her extensive experience and leadership to Northern Arizona University,” said NAU President John Haeger. “Over the past 23 years, she has worked in university administration at four public universities in three states. Her background and excellent people skills will make her a good fit for our university.”

Shinham’s appointment is expected to get approval from the Arizona Board of Regents during its February meeting.

Haeger also praised Bowen’s work as interim vice president. “Rich did a great job of keeping NAU on the right track and moving forward,” Haeger said. “We’re grateful to him for his efforts.” Bowen chose not to apply for the permanent position.

Shinham has a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.

“I have been fortunate to be associated with and learn from many talented coworkers,” she said. “I believe these experiences will be useful to me as I face challenges at NAU.”