Ithaca College

Gerald Hector, who has served for the past three years as vice president of the Division of Finance and Administration, has accepted an offer to become the vice president for financial affairs at Cornell University. Hector’s last day at the college will be July 27.

Ithaca College President Tom Rochon says that Hector has been a valuable contributor to the leadership team during his too-brief time at IC, helping strengthen not only his division, but also the college as a whole for the coming decade by hiring such talented individuals to head the three major functions under his command: Finance, Facilities, and Digital Instruction and Information Services.

“Gerald has brought a number of new disciplines and processes to our budgeting process, enabling us to track our revenue and expense picture on a monthly basis,” said Rochon. “He has led the college into a rationalized system for purchasing supplies and services, saving millions of dollars per year. In the climate of heightened demand for campus outreach and transparency, Gerald has led the way through his Dollars and $ense presentations on our budget and finances, and through his initiative to begin a weekly discussion series on diversity and inclusion open to staff, faculty and students. Gerald has been a difference-maker who made a big impact on IC, and he will be sorely missed.”

For his part, Hector says he has thoroughly enjoyed his time working within a community that holds such high standards and values.

“I am very proud of the work that the entire division has been able to accomplish in just three years, and that fact serves a testimony to the dedication, talent and tenacity of everyone who is a part of it,” says Hector. “I am extremely humbled to have worked with such a fine group of individuals, and each day was a joy to come into work as we sought ways to improve upon the overall experiences for our students, faculty and staff. My move to Cornell University is one that will afford me the opportunity to utilize my experiences, expertise and dedication to assist a major research institution continue its upward trajectory of providing opportunities for young people to realize their dreams and aspirations inside what I consider the ‘new normal’ in higher education.”

Rochon says that the search for a permanent successor to Hector will not take place prior to the appointment of the college’s next president. He will announce plans for interim leadership of the division later this summer.

You can read the Cornell announcement of Hector’s appointment at the Cornell Chronicle.