Webster will have a new vice president and chief financial officer in the upcoming academic year, as Ana Karaman joins the university’s administrative staff.
Karaman’s previous position was as the vice chancellor for administration, planning, and finance at the University of Washington Bothall (UWB).
Karaman, who is originally from Russia, has a background in law and economics as well as eight years of experience in university leadership positions. Her position at UWB involved managing an annual university budget of $90 million, as well as long-term financial planning.
Her responsibilities at Webster will primarily include overseeing the university’s budget and financial strategy, including investments. She will also serve on the Provost’s Council, which advises on and reviews policy relating to all areas of Webster’s management.
Karaman joins the university at a difficult financial time, as Webster has experienced its fourth consecutive year of budget shortfalls. The most recent one, which led to budget cuts in the 2016 spring semester, totalled around $7 million. President Elizabeth Stroble attributed the shortfall at the time to declining enrollment, primarily on Webster’s non-St. Louis campuses.
Webster’s previous vice president and CFO, Greg Gunderson, left the position in January to become president of Park University. Since then, Doug Anderson has served as the interim CFO.
Karaman will officially begin working in the position Sept. 12.
“I am delighted to join Webster – a truly unique and pioneering institution,” Karaman said in a press release. “I believe in the university’s mission to educate future members of a global society, and its vision to be a premier U.S.-based international university setting a distinct standard for global education.”
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