David Cummins named vice president and chief financial officer

David J. Cummins has been appointed vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at The University of Akron. He will assume his responsibilities effective on Monday, March 21.

The University of Akron's Board of Trustees is expected to approve Cummins' appointment at its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 23.

Cummins arrives at UA from the Ohio Board of Regents, where he served as vice chancellor, finance and data management and oversaw the policies and procedures for State subsidy support of public higher education institutions. He also was responsible for developing budget requests, both operating and capital, for State support.

"David Cummins' considerable experience in the financial sector of Ohio public higher education will be important to The University of Akron in these challenging times," said Dr. Luis M. Proenza, UA president. "We are pleased to have a person of David's caliber and expertise join the University community."

Cummins will play key role in new strategic plan

At UA, Cummins will be responsible for all fiscal operations, financial planning and budgeting, treasury services, student financial services, purchasing, parking services, Hower House, dining services, telecommunications and other auxiliary services. He will play a key role on the senior leadership team as the university prepares to move forward with a new strategic plan.

"We are pleased that David is joining us in these moments of opportunity in budget planning and strategy,” said Dr. William M. “Mike” Sherman, UA’s senior vice president, provost and chief operating officer. “His expertise in streamlining processes, budgets and improving efficiencies will link directly with our integrated planning and other goals.”

In addition to his work at the Board of Regents, Cummins has enjoyed a successful career in higher education finance. He spent seven years as vice president for administrative services and treasurer at Lorain County Community College, and nearly four years at North Central Technical College in Mansfield as vice president of business & finance/treasurer. And as a senior budget/management analyst with the Ohio Office of Budget & Management in Columbus for many years, Cummins supervised the Education Section, which is responsible for budget development and oversight of all education-related state agencies – both operating and capital.

Wide range of experience

While at LCCC, Cummins oversaw the creation of a Shared Services model between the Elyria-based community college and UA to share the management of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Shared Service is the convergence and streamlining of non-competing business processes for the purpose of reducing costs while improving the breadth and quality of services.

“The long-standing, strong partnerships between the University of Akron and Lorain County Community College have enabled me to get to know UA very well, so I know how forward-thinking the University is,” Cummins said. “I am truly excited to join UA, and I look forward to working with President Proenza, Provost Sherman and the rest of the leadership team to support and advance the University's mission of excellence in teaching, research and student success. This is the time to focus on efficiencies and focus on the positive outcomes for students.”

Cummins and his family currently reside in North Ridgeville, Ohio.

Media contact: Laura Massie, 330-972-6476 or massie1@.uakron.edu.