Money Matters:
Financial Management
in Higher Education
E D U 6 2 1 8
W I N T E R 2 0 2 1
DESCRIPTION
Offers students an opportunity to develop the practical skills and competencies necessary to build and manage budgets, advocate for and allocate both human/financial resources, and effectively articulate how strategic initiatives translate into budget requests. Linking theory to practice, successful students develop core financial management competencies while also being exposed to how colleges/universities approach critical fiduciary responsibilities. Developing both a conceptual and practical understanding of the financial management strategies employed within today’s changing landscape of higher education is critical to professional success.
REFLECTION
I have spent many months wondering about what decisions are being made and how they are being made as it pertains to my work professionally. While I am unsure if I have grasped a complete answer, this course has given me all of the necessary tools to understand the general structure of my department's budget - and the necessary tools to ask questions. I am especially excited to begin implementing at least part of my proposal (if not successfully utilizing the whole budget!) to make my department better.
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Most of my focus in this program has stemmed from a need to understand why our system is the way it is; in particular, I have focused on the question "why does college cost so much?" At this point, I have determined that there is no satisfactory answer, as most of the US system of higher education (and education as a whole) seems to be in disarray; however, even if the answer is not satisfactory, I now have a better explanation of how this system functions financially. This will allow me to continue my work in learning how best to support students across all backgrounds, and make higher education a more equitable and safe space.