Kenneth Kriz has been named the Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield. He will serve as interim vice chancellor-designate until formal approval by the Board of Trustees.
Kriz is currently a distinguished professor of public administration and director of the Institute for Illinois Public Finance at UIS. Kriz’s research focuses on subnational debt policy and administration, public pension fund management, government financial risk management, economic and revenue forecasting and behavioral public finance.
Since starting at UIS in 2018, Kriz has helped to complete an analysis of the current UIS budget and contributed to the “Show Me the Money” series at UIS to help faculty and staff understand the budget process.
“Kriz is respected by his UIS colleagues and possesses the interpersonal and communication skills required to lead change, implement efficient and effective policies across a large and diverse institution and work collaboratively to promote a culture of collegiality and innovation,” said UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch.
“I am excited for this opportunity,” Kriz said. “I look forward to working with the chancellor, senior administrators, faculty and staff across campus to restore budgetary balance and accountability, and to enhance transparency and improve business processes. There are so many exciting things happening at UIS, and I am proud to be a part of the next phase of the campus' growth.”
Before coming to UIS, Kriz taught at Wichita State University where he was the regents distinguished professor of public finance and director of the Kansas Public Finance Center. He has also taught at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Tartu in Estonia, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Minnesota.
Kriz earned a doctorate in public finance and policy analysis from Indiana University, a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
His appointment will begin on May 16. He is expected to serve a two-year term.