Career Conversations

NACUBO

On Career Conversations, NACUBO's Christine Simone sits down with higher education professionals to discuss their personal experiences, including successes and challenges of all kinds. They'll offer career advice and insights as well as nuggets of wisdom for business professionals new to higher education.

  1. May 22

    Curiosity, Mentors, Mission: Adeeb Mozip

    Adeeb Mozip is the executive director of business operations in the Office of Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. His career began as an accounting intern at Michigan's Office of the Vice President for Research, where early mentorship and hands-on work—including multi-million-dollar reporting—revealed how finance supports an institution's core research mission. From there, Mozip moved through roles in research administration, the library system, and Wayne State University's School of Information, earning an MBA while beginning a doctorate. A pivotal chapter came at Wayne State Law School, where he helped a new dean transform the school—taking its U.S. News ranking from 105 to 58 and launching three new academic programs. He returned to the University of Michigan three and a half years ago, now leading HR, finance, budget, and facilities within enrollment management. Mozip credits a broad mentor network—from early supervisors to dissertation advisors—with shaping his leadership philosophy: that leadership means improving the way we serve people. An active NACUBO participant, he has engaged in NACUBO's Emerging Leaders program and chairs CACUBO's conference program committee, most recently receiving the President's Award. His advice to listeners: say yes to projects outside your job description, think beyond your functional area, and take advantage of higher education as a place of continuous learning. LINKS NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program CACUBO Adeeb Mozip on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    20 min

  2. May 8

    From Public Sector to Public Impact: Sean Clayton

    Building a Higher Ed Career Through Reinvention Sean Clayton, associate vice president for business services and controller at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, took a non-traditional path to higher education. After co-founding and selling a housewares company, Clayton worked briefly in private equity before the recession revealed a hard truth: entrepreneurial experience alone couldn't land him a comparable role without a degree. He returned to school in his late 30s, completed a bachelor's and a master's in taxation, and landed an internship with the Utah State Auditor's Office—his first real exposure to higher ed. Clayton joined SLCC in 2021 after auditing the institution and connecting with its team. Drawing on his operations background, he tackled food service auxiliaries that had been losing $500,000 annually, ultimately replacing a costly vendor with local restaurants, bringing auxiliaries into the black while better serving a diverse student population. He has since risen to his current role and now sits on SLCC's Cabinet Team, bringing a finance and strategy lens to institution-wide decisions. A 360 evaluation early in his business career forced a reckoning with an authoritarian leadership style he hadn't recognized in himself. The experience prompted emotional intelligence training and a lasting shift toward collaboration—one later affirmed through a second 360 during NACUBO's Emerging Leaders program. His advice to listeners: be innovative, let your people fail, and make empathy a practice. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    32 min

  3. Jan 30

    Puzzles, Pathways, Progress: Jodi Kessler

    Higher Ed Tax Expert Shares Career Journey from Criminal Law to Global Operations Jodi Kessler, director of tax and global operations at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, discovered her passion for tax law while studying criminal law at Ohio State University. After taking a tax class that presented the field as an engaging puzzle with clear rules and strategic planning opportunities, she shifted her focus and began her higher education career at Ohio State in 2008, later moving to Harvard before settling at MIT.   At MIT, Kessler's role has expanded significantly beyond traditional tax work to encompass investment analysis, unrelated business income tax, sales tax, and most recently, global operations. She leads evaluations of international employee placement and compliance, working closely with departments across campus to reduce institutional risk while supporting MIT's mission. Her collaborative approach emphasizes building relationships early and providing high-level customer service to break down institutional silos.   Networking through NACUBO has been instrumental in Kessler's professional development, particularly during major transitions like implementing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She emphasizes that today's frequent tax rule changes create ongoing opportunities for newcomers to develop expertise, noting that success comes from understanding how to process changes, interpret legislation, and work with peer institutions. Through her leadership, Kessler aims to leave a legacy of cross-departmental collaboration that ensures all voices are heard while maintaining compliance and supporting institutional goals.   Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    20 min

  4. Jan 16

    Seizing Opportunities, Driving Growth: Travis Ball

    Building a Higher Ed Business Career from the Ground Up Travis Ball, executive director of business services and chief procurement officer at East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, shares his progression from working at a local feed store to becoming a strategic leader in higher education operations. Through a chance phone call offering a purchasing position at the Texas Department of Transportation, Ball discovered his career path and eventually transitioned to higher education in 2005. Over his 20-year tenure at East Texas A&M, Ball has expanded beyond procurement to oversee auxiliaries, real estate, logistics, and transportation while serving in leadership roles with national professional associations. His experience includes guiding the institution through major transitions, including a November 2024 name change and the challenges of COVID-19, while maintaining focus on strategic relationships and operational excellence. Ball, who also serves as an adjunct instructor and K-12 board trustee, emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and seizing opportunities regardless of age or background. His 9-year journey to complete his bachelor's degree while working full time serves as an inspiration for nontraditional students, demonstrating that persistence and education create lasting career impact. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    37 min

  5. 10/31/2025

    From Monologues to Metrics: Venessa Ortega

    In this episode of Career Conversations, Christine Simone talks with Venessa Ortega, director of campus budget administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, CO). Ortega shares her unique career journey from professional theater in Chicago to higher education finance, beginning with a BFA in Theater and six years as a professional actress before discovering an unexpected passion for Excel while working in an administrative role. This interest led her to pursue a master's degree in accounting and eventually join the University of Colorado at Boulder's budget office, where she has served for nearly a decade.   Throughout the conversation, Ortega discusses how her theater background enhanced her higher education career, particularly in understanding interpersonal dynamics and reading room situations. She emphasizes how skills from Commedia dell'Arte help her navigate power dynamics in professional settings, while her experience during COVID-19 budget cuts taught valuable lessons about transparent leadership and building trust through difficult conversations.   The discussion explores professional development strategies, with Ortega emphasizing the importance of curiosity in career growth. She encourages understanding the broader context behind financial decisions in higher education and credits NACUBO's resources for ongoing learning opportunities. Her story demonstrates how diverse professional experiences can enhance leadership in higher education administration, with key advice focusing on developing deep understanding beyond immediate tasks and building authentic relationships.   Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    21 min
  6. Building System-Wide Impact: Joe Sobieralski

    10/17/2025

    Building System-Wide Impact: Joe Sobieralski

    Building a Legacy Through Versatility and Purpose Joe Sobieralski, senior associate vice president for administration and business affairs and university treasurer at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, shares his journey from athletics to finance leadership. In this episode, host Christine Simone explores how intentional career moves and mentorship shaped Sobieralski's path in higher education business.   The episode explores key themes including transitioning from athletics administration to university finance, the value of versatility in higher education leadership, and the importance of alignment between personal values and institutional mission. Starting in athletics at the University of South Carolina, Sobieralski's career path led him through roles as business manager at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and vice chancellor and CFO at USC Aiken before returning to USC's flagship campus.   Throughout the conversation, Sobieralski emphasizes how lateral moves expanded his expertise and understanding of higher education operations. He shares insights on maintaining connections across institutional systems, understanding personal brand in career decisions, and creating institutional legacy through daily dedication to improvement and innovation.   Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    29 min
  7. Student Service Innovation: Chris Foster

    10/03/2025

    Student Service Innovation: Chris Foster

    From First-Gen to Financial Leader: Chris Foster's Journey Chris Foster, associate vice president of student accounting and integrated student services at the University of North Texas in Denton, shares his path from being a first-generation college student to leading transformative student services initiatives. His story begins with a pivotal moment in a Texas Tech University hallway, where a kind financial aid staff member helped chart his college path—an experience he carries with him through his guiding principle that "Some stranger somewhere remembers you because you were kind to them."   At UNT, Foster has spent 17 years reshaping student financial services, most notably through the creation of UNT One Stop—a comprehensive service center that breaks down traditional departmental silos to provide seamless support for students and their families. This innovative approach combines admissions, financial aid, student accounts and other essential services into one unified experience, reflecting Foster's commitment to simplifying the student journey.   Drawing from his personal experience as a work-study student who learned higher education finance from the ground up, Foster champions a leadership philosophy centered on understanding "the why" behind processes and empowering team members at all levels to contribute solutions. His approach emphasizes relationship building across departments and the importance of taking chances on people, much like the mentors who shaped his own career path in higher education.   Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    28 min
  8. Authentic Financial Transformation: Stephanie Mayer

    09/19/2025

    Authentic Financial Transformation: Stephanie Mayer

    Finding Your Authentic Path in Higher Education Finance On this episode of Career Conversations, NACUBO director of leadership development Christine Simone talks with Stephanie Mayer, budget analyst at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. After eight years in corporate utility finance at PSENG, Mayer discovered her calling through teaching finance as an adjunct professor, which led her to pursue both an MBA and Ph.D. while maintaining her corporate role. This parallel path eventually guided her to full-time higher education finance, where she combined her quantitative expertise with qualitative storytelling.   In her current role, Mayer manages budgets across multiple academic units, helping translate financial data into meaningful narratives for different departments—from business to arts programs. She shares insights on navigating institutional changes, including mergers and new college creation, while maintaining strategic financial planning. Her experience demonstrates how understanding both faculty and administrative perspectives enhances budget management in higher education, particularly in hybrid work environments.   The conversation explores important themes for finance professionals considering similar transitions, including overcoming imposter syndrome, finding workplace culture fit, and building authentic relationships in academic settings. Through candid discussion of her professional journey, Mayer provides valuable insights for those seeking more meaningful work environments where they can fully utilize both their technical skills, and personalities. She emphasizes that age should not limit career advancement and encourages professionals to pursue opportunities that align with their authentic selves.   Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

    40 min
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5
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4 Ratings

About

On Career Conversations, NACUBO's Christine Simone sits down with higher education professionals to discuss their personal experiences, including successes and challenges of all kinds. They'll offer career advice and insights as well as nuggets of wisdom for business professionals new to higher education.

Information

  • Creator
    NACUBO
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Career Conversations

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