Dear Towson University community,

I am very pleased to announce that Kofi N. Ofori has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Towson University, effective May 20, 2026. Following a comprehensive national search, Kofi emerged as the top candidate to serve as the university’s senior financial leader and strategic advisor at a pivotal moment in Towson’s continued growth and evolution.

Ofori currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where he oversees an approximately $1.8 billion operating budget and stewards a $22 billion endowment. In this role, he provides executive-level leadership across a highly complex academic enterprise that includes Harvard College, multiple graduate and professional programs, research centers and extensive administrative and auxiliary operations. He works in close partnership with academic and administrative leaders to integrate operating, capital and long-range financial planning, to modernize financial systems and practices and to ensure resources are allocated strategically, transparently and in alignment with institutional priorities.

Previously, Ofori served as Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration at Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, where he provided comprehensive oversight of finance, human resources, information technology, research administration and facilities and capital planning. In that role, he managed a $500 million operating budget and $750 million endowment, led a portfolio of more than 100 staff, and strengthened governance, compliance and resource-planning processes to support the school’s academic mission. Earlier in his career, he held progressively senior financial leadership roles at Arizona State University, New York University and Pennsylvania State University, where he was recognized for eliminating structural deficits, implementing performance and data-driven financial models and guiding institutions through periods of growth and change.

A highly strategic and collaborative leader, Ofori brings deep expertise in higher education finance, capital planning, budget development and organizational leadership. His work reflects a strong commitment to ethical stewardship of resources, shared governance, inclusive decision-making and the thoughtful alignment of financial strategy with academic priorities, access, equity and long-term institutional sustainability.

As Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ofori will serve as a key member of the university’s executive leadership team and President’s Cabinet. He will provide strategic oversight of TU’s financial and administrative operations and play a central role in advancing the university’s Strategic Plan and presidential priorities, ensuring Towson University remains well positioned for its next phase of success.

The search committee conducted a thorough process and its members played a vital role in identifying and recruiting an outstanding leader for this key leadership role. I thank Provost Melanie Perreault, who served as chair of the committee, for her outstanding leadership. The committee members who played a vital role in the process and recruitment included:

  • Melanie Perreault, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Search Committee Chair
  • Chris Chulos, Dean, College of Liberal Arts
  • Steve Eigenbrot, Vice President for Athletics
  • Joyce Garczynski, Academic Senate Chair and Director of Library Communications and Engagement
  • Ellen Herbst, Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, University System of MD
  • Vernon Hurte, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Life
  • Bruce (Eric) Jones, Associate Vice President for Financial Affairs
  • Jeff Rosen, TU Foundation Board member, managing partner at Rosen, Sapperstein and Friedlander
  • Lisa Simmons, Assistant Dean, College of Business and Economics

This search would not have been possible without the strong partnership and support of our colleagues in the Office of Human Resources, especially Nyasha Lumumba, Manager of Talent Acquisition, whose expertise helped guide this comprehensive national process. I also extend my sincerest thanks to Jett Pihakis, and Russell Reynolds Associates, for stewarding this search that resulted in a deep pool of expert finance leaders from across the nation.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Michael Palmer for his thoughtful, solutions-oriented and committed service as interim Chief Financial Officer, and for the leadership he provided during this important transition. I am deeply grateful for his dedication and his contributions to Towson University. I look forward to his continued leadership in his role as associate vice president.

Please join me in welcoming Kofi to Towson University. I know that our university community will look forward to working with him as he assumes this important leadership role in service of TU’s mission and future.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President, Towson University