NACUBO Appoints Lynne C. Schaefer Interim President and CEO

The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Board of Directors has appointed Lynne C. Schaefer as NACUBO’s interim president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective September 6, 2022.

“On behalf of the entire board, I want to express our enthusiasm and appreciation of Lynne’s acceptance of this appointment,” said Nicole Trufant, NACUBO board chair and vice president and chief financial officer at Colby College. “Schaefer brings a passion for higher education, dedication to service, and leadership experience that will allow for a seamless transition.”

Schaefer served as NACUBO board chair in 2018-19. In December 2021, she retired from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) after 16 years as vice president for administration. There, Schaefer was responsible for financial management, budget, reporting, and control for annual operations. She also provided leadership for facilities planning, construction and operations, human resources, environmental safety and health, dining services, the bookstore, campus police, and general business services.

“It is an honor and privilege to take on this interim leadership role at the national organization that serves my former peers and colleagues. NACUBO was an important, reliable, and innovative source of information and education during my career as a business officer. Over the coming months, I will work hand-in-hand with the NACUBO board and staff to build on the momentum already created in support of our members, partners, and higher education as a whole,” Schaefer said.

Prior to joining President Freeman Hrabowski’s leadership team at UMBC in 2005, she served as vice president for finance and administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and as budget director and vice president for administrative services at Wayne State University in Detroit. Lynne began her career in state government in Michigan, developing a comprehensive knowledge of higher education policy working in the Governor’s Office and the Departments of Management and Budget and Treasury.

Schaefer is currently the program advisor to the NACUBO Fellows Program, providing guidance on curriculum development, sharing her expertise, and coaching individual program participants. As interim president and CEO, she will continue to serve in this role.

Schaefer succeeds former President and CEO Susan Whealler Johnston, who passed away in August.

The board has initiated a search process to identify a permanent president and CEO. Schaefer will serve until a successor is named. Susan Scroggins, NACUBO’s immediate past board chair, and senior vice president, Valparaiso University, will lead the search committee for the next NACUBO president and CEO.

About NACUBO
NACUBO, founded in 1962, is a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country. NACUBO works to advance the economic vitality, business practices, and support of higher education institutions in pursuit of their missions.