Strohmyer takes Peru State finance post

PERU – Peru State College has announced the hiring of Brinton Strohmyer as vice president for administration and finance.

A press release says the Gothenburg native will oversee fiscal operations at the college at a time when federal funding is changing, state budgets are tight and there is a need to generate more student tuition and fee revenue.

The college’s $15 million capital construction campaign, named Project Roar for Renewed Opportunities for Athletics and Recreation, also requires a mix of college, government and private funds.

Here is the college's press release:

Strohmyer Fills the Bill:  Peru State Finance VP

           

Peru, Neb. – A broad range of experience in higher education and a background in public service convinced Peru State College that Dr. Brinton Strohmyer was the right person to be its next Vice President for Administration and Finance.

The job encapsules a range of responsibilities at Nebraska’s first college, and Strohmyer checked all the boxes, according to Dr. Wendy Waugh, PSC Interim President.

“We are privileged to have someone of Brinton’s caliber in the VPAF role. His extensive experience and strategic leadership will be instrumental in guiding Peru State College toward continued success and innovation,” noted Waugh.

Strohmyer comes to Peru State after several years working with and leading nursing homes in Nebraska and Iowa. While his new clientele is a bit younger, Strohmyer understands the need to provide unique services to specific age groups.

Overseeing fiscal operations at the college, from budget planning, payroll, facilities operations and construction, and business services at the college – to name a few key areas of oversight - are not new to Strohmyer,

Five years as program chair and an instructor of marketing, management and business at Iowa Western Community College means Strohmyer is familiar both with higher ed and the unique requirements of working in the public sector.

Strohmyer also worked for the federal judiciary as a District of Nebraska Bankruptcy Court financial administrator, too. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and he holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Capella University.

The challenges at Peru State, and higher education in general, at this point in time are substantial. Changes in federal funding and regulations, tight state budgets, and the need to generate more student tuition and fee revenues to meet escalating costs, are daunting.

Additionally, Peru State is in the midst of its largest capital construction initiative in its more than 150-year history. Named Project ROAR (Renewed Opportunities for Athletics and Recreation), its more than $15 million price tag is a complex mix of college, federal, state, and private funds.

While acknowledging the challenge, Strohmyer sees a great opportunity to make a substantial contribution to the historic college. It all comes down to managing college operations as efficiently as possible in the best interests of the students and the College. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer and tuition dollars,” Strohmyer said. “Every decision should reflect fiscal discipline, accountability, and long-term sustainability.”

A native of Gothenburg, Strohmyer has found much of his initial effort focused on budget issues, as the College operates on a July 1-June 30 fiscal year. Spring and summer is also a busy time evaluating and filling vacancies on his staff. Getting to know college personnel, and learning new systems and policies, means there is no spare time in his day.

Strohmyer is off to a great start, President Waugh said. For his part, Strohmyer is excited about his new position and employer. “I’m honored to join a college with such a strong history and sense of mission,” Strohmyer said. “There’s important work to do, and I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and serve the students, faculty, and community with integrity and purpose.”