Data Meets Mission: Transforming Higher Ed Finance with Xavier University CBO Kevan Buck

About this episode

Kevan Buck discusses mission-driven leadership and the evolving role of CFO in higher education.

Kevan Buck, president of finance and administration and chief financial officer, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, joins host Melissa Farley to discuss mission-driven leadership, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful student experiences in higher education. "It really comes down to one thing and that's students. If you're on a campus when the kids arrive in the fall and you walk out and you just feel the excitement of the students and the families, it's pretty amazing," Buck says. Having served in higher education finance for over 40 years, he emphasizes the importance of understanding both the business and human aspects of institutional operations. "It's really about the students and about the mission of education." Join us for a conversation with Buck as he shares insights about launching Xavier's new College of Osteopathic Medicine, navigating demographic challenges in higher education, and finding work-life balance in demanding leadership roles. He also discusses how the role of CFO has evolved to become more integrated across university operations, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and why maintaining focus on student success remains critical for…

People in this episode

Host: Melissa Farley

Guest: Kevan Buck

Topics covered

• higher education
• finance
• mission-driven leadership
• student experience
• data-driven decision-making
• work-life balance

Keywords

• higher education finance
• student success
• innovation
• demographic challenges
• Osteopathic Medicine

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Xavier University

Places: Cincinnati, Ohio

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