Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Message from the President

I have some important developments to share with you concerning our University leadership. At the end of this month, Mamie Gasperecz will resign from her position as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Business Officer. I would like to thank Mamie for her commitment to the University and for all of her efforts during a time of extraordinary budgetary challenges for the institution. Given the critical need of this position, I have moved quickly to identify her successor. Contingent on approval from the Board of Supervisors, Dr. Edwin Litolff will move into the role of Vice President of Finance and Administration.

Dr. Litolff currently serves as Vice President for Finance at Grambling State University. Prior to this, he served as interim president of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the University of Louisiana System. I am extremely confident that Dr. Litolff has the knowledge and experience to accelerate our budget realignment process and ensure the future financial stability of the University. This will ultimately position us for growth so that we may better serve our students and community.

Although she is departing her current role, I firmly believe that Mamie can make significant contributions to the University, particularly in the realm of fundraising and community engagement. Therefore, on November 1, she will begin a new position as Director of External Affairs and Community Engagement, which will be funded by the UNO Research & Technology Foundation. She will be charged with creating and leading a cohesive infrastructure that supports mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships with a special emphasis on local and regional organizations. Community engagement is woven throughout the UNO 2030 plan, and Mamie has the breadth of knowledge and experience to lead and coordinate these activities.

I hope you will welcome Dr. Litolff to the UNO community. I am eager to work closely with him, as well as with Mamie in her new role.

Sincerely,

Kathy Johnson, Ph.D.
President
The University of New Orleans