Finance OST | Employee Resources

At-A-Glance

• The Finance OST is committed to providing clear, open, and transparent communication throughout this process. As part of this effort, we will be sharing regular updates to keep you informed about our progress.
• On May 21 during our town hall, we shared more details about our five specialized finance hubs. If you missed the event, you can access the recording on our website.
• In July, finance staff will receive preliminary personalized role recommendations, with an opportunity to provide feedback before final placements are determined. (Editor’s Note: This date has changed from the original newsletter.)
• Process mapping sessions are underway, which aim to reduce manual work, enhance collaboration, and create greater clarity and consistency across the organization.
• The next town hall is scheduled for June 30, with registration forthcoming.
• Following the recent news regarding the Commonwealth Campuses, finance employees who will be joining the OST that are currently supporting a campus that is closing will continue their employment.
• If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to us at FinanceOST@psu.edu.

Recent Milestones

Exciting progress to build new finance organization. As part of this transformation, we’re creating five dedicated finance hubs, each specializing in key financial functions within Penn State Finance and Business.

During the town hall on May 21, we shared the draft organization designs for each hub. If you missed it, you can watch the full recording on our Employee Resources page.

The new structure will transition financial staff and processes across the University into the following five hubs:

• Bursar – Led by Carolyn Saona
• Controllership – Led by Lee Wagner
• Financial Planning Analysis & Coordination (FPAC) – Led by Kim Fisher
• Treasury – Led by Jody Murawski
• Procure to Pay – Led by Duane Elmore

Thank you for your input in the Skills and Interest Survey. We received an outstanding response from our employees and have begun a thoughtful review process to align your skills and preferences with roles in the new structure. Here’s what to expect next:

• In July, employees will receive a preliminary personalized email with their proposed job match based on the Skills and Interests Survey and OST leadership review. (Editor’s Note: This date has changed from the original newsletter.)
• The email will include a survey link where you can share feedback on the match.
• Your feedback will help Finance OST leadership finalize placements.

If needed, we’ll hold one-on-one conversations with you and your manager to discuss the best fit.

Final placements will be shared during late summer, followed by introductions to your new team and upcoming training events. (Editor’s Note: This date has changed from the original newsletter.) We appreciate your continued engagement and collaboration as we build a stronger, more connected finance organization!

Seven Commonwealth Campuses slated for closure after a two-year winddown. Transition planning and student support will be at the forefront of implementation for the following locations: Penn State DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York. Employees who are currently supporting a campus that is closing and are transitioning into the Finance OST will continue working in those areas after the campus closures. Duties and positions in these areas will evolve over the next two years.

Process mapping in progress. Our process mapping efforts are actively underway, with several workstreams shaping the future of Penn State’s financial operations. These sessions focus on identifying ways to streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and strengthen collaboration—ultimately making our daily work more efficient and effective.

More than 100 employees from units and business areas across the commonwealth are coming together to help design the future state of key processes. Their insights will support greater clarity, consistency, and standardization across the organization.

Process mapping will continue through August 2025, and we’ll keep you informed with updates as progress is made. Thank you to everyone contributing to this important work!

Engagement Opportunities

Mark your calendar for the next Finance OST Town Hall on June 30 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. EST. Information on how to attend is forthcoming.

You are also invited to our virtual Finance OST Monthly Office Hours. Whether you have a question, need clarification, or just want to check in and say hello, feel free to drop by! These occur on the second Tuesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST. Zoom links were shared over email. If you have not received them, please reach out to FinanceOST@psu.edu.