A financial officer with 20 years of academic experience is the new vice chancellor for Business Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Pratima Gandhi began her role as the university’s chief financial officer in June. She succeeds Kristin Hendrickson, who held the position for two years. Gandhi previously served as the chief financial officer and treasurer at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., where she had worked since 1993. She also served an auditor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va.
“Pratima brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of higher education financial operations, from collaborations with academic departments on new programs to facilities management,” said Chancellor Bernie Patterson. “We are happy to add her expertise to our team.”
“My longtime experience has helped me look at higher education as a whole, addressing and planning for challenges such as financial issues, changing student demographics and a national pandemic,” Gandhi said. “I’m excited to work at a university where everyone is willing to work together for the good of the campus as a whole.”
While at Bradley, Gandhi provided leadership and operational management for the university’s financial, business and facilities functions, including a budget of $230 million and $110 million in construction projects. She was active on the board of directors of several Peoria civic organizations, and served on several university committees at Bradley and Virginia Tech.
Coming to UW-Stevens Point is a full circle for Gandhi’s family, as her husband, Nimish, is an alumnus of the School of Business and Economics. “I love the natural beauty of the area and look forward to reconnecting with our friends as well as getting involved in the community.”
The vice chancellor for business affairs leads about 160 full-time employees in a division that includes Facility Services, Financial Operations, Budget and Planning, Human Resources, Capital Planning and Budget, Risk Management, Sustainability, Parking Services and Police and Security Services. As the university’s chief financial officer, Gandhi is responsible for UW-Stevens Point’s operating budget and serves on the chancellor’s executive team.
Gandhi has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University in Fort Wayne, Ind.