Heather Heersink, Chief Financial Officer
Professional Overview
Heather Heersink is a seasoned financial executive with over 20 years of experience in higher education administration. As the Chief Financial Officer at Adams State University, she is responsible for overseeing the institution's financial operations, budgeting, and strategic planning to ensure the long-term financial stability and growth of the university.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Chief Financial Officer at Adams State University since 2017, Heather is responsible for managing the university's $50 million annual budget, overseeing financial reporting and compliance, and leading a team of finance professionals. Under her leadership, the university has maintained a strong financial position, achieving a credit rating upgrade and securing additional funding sources to support campus infrastructure projects.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Heather served as the Assistant Vice President of Finance and Administration at Adams State University, where she played a key role in implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and streamlining financial processes. Before that, she held several positions at Adams State College, including Assistant Vice President for Budget and Technology and Budget Director, where she gained extensive experience in higher education budgeting, forecasting, and technology integration.
Heather started her career as an Auditor at Wall, Smith, Bateman, & Associates, where she developed a strong foundation in financial accounting and auditing practices.
Academic Background
Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has completed additional professional development courses in strategic financial management and higher education leadership.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial management and strategic planning
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial reporting and compliance
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems implementation
- Higher education administration and policy
- Team leadership and process improvement
Professional Impact
Under Heather's leadership, Adams State University has maintained a strong financial position, achieving a credit rating upgrade and securing additional funding sources to support campus infrastructure projects. She has also played a key role in implementing a new ERP system and streamlining financial processes, improving the university's operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities.
Conclusion
Heather Heersink is a highly accomplished financial executive with a proven track record of success in higher education administration. Her deep knowledge of financial management, strategic planning, and process improvement, combined with her strong leadership skills, make her a valuable asset to Adams State University as it continues to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.
