07/28/2022
By Steve O’Riordan

It is my pleasure to announce that our new university controller, Sharon-Anne Mapes, will begin Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Sharon-Anne will lead an office responsible for financial management and reporting, tax compliance and controlling the proper use of funds in accordance with federal, state and university policies and procedures. The office provides financial guidance, information and control to departments; prepares campus financial statements; coordinates records management; maintains business continuity; and serves as liaison to internal and external auditors.

In addition, the controller oversees the Student Financial Service Office which invoices, collects and processes payments for tuition, fees, room and board charges for undergraduate, graduate and professional studies students. She will also work very closely with the UMass President’s Office in the development and implementation of financial policies.

Sharon-Anne will succeed Brent Morgan, whose well-earned retirement comes after serving as controller for more than 10 years and a long career in higher education financial management. Brent’s contributions in support of our financial management and reporting can’t be overlooked nor can his success at supporting and developing a strong team in the controller’s Office.

Sharon-Anne has spent the past year as controller and director of accounting and financial operations at the Harvard Kennedy School. Before that she was on the West Coast as the associate vice president of finance at Pacific Union College. Sharon-Anne has many years of experience as an audit manager and consultant. She has her Master of Taxation from Nova Southeastern University and her undergraduate degree in accounting from Oakwood College.

I also want to thank Nancy Ritchie, director of Budget & Financial Planning, for chairing the search as well as the other members of the search committee: Tom Hoole, Nancy Ludwig, Joyce McLaughlin, Maria Panagakis, Karyn Puleo and Susan Puryear.

Please join me in welcoming Sharon-Anne to our team.