This item has been filed in | Appointments, Briefly Noted
Print This Post Print This Post

Theresa L. Ashman Named Associate Vice President and Controller


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...Loading...

    Theresa L. Ashman

    Theresa L. Ashman, a certified public accountant whose 18 years of experience in higher education include implementing several initiatives to improve the financial operations of two of the nation’s best-known institutions, has been named associate vice president and controller at the University of Miami.

    “Theresa brings to the University of Miami a wealth of experience at large, complex institutions,” said Joe Natoli, senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer. “We are delighted to welcome her to the U.”

    For the past four years, Ashman has served as the University of Utah’s controller, a role in which she is responsible for a multitude of departments, including accounts payable, income accounting and student loans, general accounting, property accounting, endowment accounting, contracts and grants accounting, managerial and cost accounting, and merchant cards.

    She also oversees the preparation of the University of Utah’s annual financial report, works with University Development to review donor gift agreements, and resolves financial issues and provides guidance on internal controls and business processes for the university’s hospital, colleges, and departments.

    Ashman, who holds a bachelor of science in accounting from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University, replaces Aida Diaz-Piedra, who retired after a distinguished 22-year career at UM.

    Ashman begins her new post on June 15.

    “I’m excited that Theresa will be joining the UM financial team,” said John R. Shipley, UM’s vice president of finance and treasurer. “She has a deep background in university accounting and business operations and comes to us from a university with a large medical center. Theresa has a very cooperative and collaborative style and a lot of enthusiasm as well. I’m sure everyone will enjoy working with her.”

    Ashman’s tenure at Utah has been marked by several accomplishments, from helping institute a financial training program for new department heads and deans to streamlining operations, improving customer service, absorbing budget cuts, and addressing succession planning issues in various departments.

    Prior to her tenure at Utah, she was part of Purdue University’s financial team from 1992 to 2006, holding several positions ranging from internal auditor to associate comptroller.

    “I’m thrilled to be joining the University of Miami family, particularly the management team that’s been put in place there,” Ashman said. “Aida has left some very big shoes to fill, and I certainly want to continue the good work that she has done and make my own mark at the same time.”

    Ashman, who also holds a bachelor of science in biology from Purdue, has always treasured the higher education environment, taking pride in the fact that she works in a field in which “students represent so much potential,” she said. “And with the research being conducted by faculty, it’s just a vibrant, energetic, never-a-dull-moment area in which to work.”

    In Utah, Ashman has devoted much of her free time to volunteering, serving as a hospital response team advocate for a rape recovery center and coordinating and planning a display for the Clothesline Project, which raises awareness about victims of domestic and sexual violence.

    Comments are closed.