William "Bill" Sanders Named the University of Dubuque's Vice President for Finance and Administration

DUBUQUE, Iowa - After an extensive national search, William "Bill" Sanders, CPA, MBA, has been named vice president for finance and administration at the University of Dubuque. He will begin serving in this role on Monday, January 26, 2026. Sanders joins the University having served as assistant vice president for business and finance at Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, Illinois.

"As the University of Dubuque continues to further its Mission, while adapting to meet the evolving needs of its students and the broader local community, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Sanders as the University of Dubuque's next vice president for finance and administration," said Travis Frampton, PhD, president of the University. "Bill's appointment is the result of a national search aimed at identifying a chief financial officer who will help lead the University into its next chapter of institutional success and financial stewardship. We welcome Bill and his family to UD and look forward to working with him as we continue to maintain the strong fiscal oversight and leadership demonstrated by this office for nearly two decades."

Since April 2022, Sanders has served as assistant vice president for business and finance at Elmhurst University. In this capacity, he provided strong leadership and oversight of financial planning and treasury services, accounting operations, budgeting, internal and external financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and the management of external service providers.

"I was inspired to pursue the opportunity at the University of Dubuque by its deeply mission-centered culture and commitment to forming the whole person within a close-knit, intellectually vibrant, and hospitable community," Sanders said. "The institution's values - particularly stewardship, shared ownership, transparency, hospitality, and respect for diverse perspectives - closely align with my faith-informed leadership philosophy and purpose-driven approach to higher education. I was highly drawn to the opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor to the president and to collaborate with faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees in advancing institutional sustainability and mission impact. The role's emphasis on strategic financial stewardship, collaborative leadership, and long-term institutional vitality strongly resonates with my professional experience, personal values, and commitment to mission-driven excellence."

At UD, Sanders will steward the institution's resources with integrity, disciplined management, and a forward-looking strategic vision. He will provide executive leadership across financial planning, accounting, budgeting, investments, facilities, and administrative operations. In addition, he will serve as a key member of the President's Cabinet and work closely with UD's Board of Trustees in advancing the financial health, operational excellence, and mission of the institution.

"I aim to bring disciplined, mission-driven financial and operational leadership grounded in integrity, transparency, and strategic stewardship," Sanders said. "I intend to contribute deep expertise in higher education finance and administration, coupled with a collaborative, relationship-focused leadership style that strengthens shared governance and builds trust across faculty, staff, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees. I hope to advance institutional sustainability through thoughtful budgeting, long-range planning, risk management, and optimizing resources and revenue streams, while modernizing systems and processes where appropriate. Equally important, I seek to foster an inclusive, service-oriented culture characterized by empathy, clear communication, accountability, and shared ownership, enabling the University of Dubuque to further its Mission and long-term impact."

Sanders holds a master of business administration from Elmhurst University and a bachelor of science in business administration from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. He is also a licensed certified public accountant.

Sanders and his wife, Amy, will be making Dubuque their home after successfully raising their three children in Elmhurst. They will be living close to campus and look forward to actively participating in everything that makes UD so special.