Dan Stephens, vice president for Illinois State University’s Division of Finance and Planning, has announced his retirement, effective January 1, 2024. He has served in that role since coming to Illinois State in April of 2017. Plans for interim leadership in the Division of Finance and Planning will be announced at a later date.
“I want to thank Dan for his leadership and service to Illinois State, and we wish him and his wife, Debra, a happy retirement and best of luck in the next chapter of their lives,” said Interim President Aondover Tarhule. “Dan came to Illinois State during a time of budget uncertainty in the State of Illinois. His background in higher education as well as corporate finance helped the University navigate a difficult time. In the years since, his leadership has further enhanced Illinois State’s financial footing. Notably, Dan was central to creating the Academic Enhancement Fee that provides Illinois State with resources to maintain academic facilities and instructional technology. He also produced the fiscal model that underpins the new College of Engineering and the expansion of key learning facilities and enrollment within the Mennonite College of Nursing.”
Before joining Illinois State, Stephens served as the associate vice chancellor of finance for the University of North Texas System in Dallas.
“It has been an honor serving as the vice president,” said Stephens. “I have enjoyed working with an exceptional team in Finance and Planning, with Interim President Tarhule, fellow University senior leaders over the past seven years, faculty, staff, and students. Illinois State University has an exceptional reputation across its programs. I’m proud to have been a part of this great institution and feel privileged to have played a key role in several transformative initiatives on campus that will further enhance the University’s stellar reputation in the state and across the nation.”
Prior to working in Texas, Stephens held senior financial leadership roles with the University of Idaho and Jacksonville University in Florida, was the chief financial officer at Central Michigan University, and spent 15 years in audit, accounting, and financial leadership roles for several private corporations. Stephens earned an MBA in finance from the University of North Florida.
