Longtime LC Finance Leader Retires

GODFREY - Vice President of Finance and Operations Mary Schulte, of Jerseyville, retired April 30 after nearly 30 years of service to Lewis and Clark Community College.

Schulte had served as Vice President of Finance since 2012 but had been with the college since November 1997. Over the course of her LC career, she served in various positions within the finance area, including Associate Vice President of Finance (2005).

"Mary is a top-notch CFO and legend at LC for her grit, wisdom and expertise," said President Ken Trzaska. "It has been an honor to work with her."

Looking back on her career, Schulte said she has worked with a lot of amazing people - many of whom have become close friends. She is proud of everything she and the collective team have accomplished.

Among her proudest moments, she noted the implementation of the college's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

"At the same time, we were undergoing a fast-paced leadership change in the department that eventually led to a greater management of the software transition, while still learning the old processes and the reasoning behind the old and the new," she said.

Schulte also helped the college get through a state budget crisis (2015-2017) and survive several lean years.

"Overall, hard work, commitment and dedication across the campus allowed us to weather those storms together," she said.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Sue Czerwinski, a fellow member of the college's executive team, said Schulte has long been one of the most trusted members of the Lewis and Clark team.

"That trust comes from her deep expertise and her genuine willingness to share not just answers, but the 'why' behind them," Czerwinski said. "For nearly 30 years, Mary has played a vital role in ensuring the college not only remains sustainable but truly thrives. On a personal level, I feel incredibly grateful to have worked alongside her and to call her my friend. We are truly fortunate that she chose Lewis and Clark as the place to share her remarkable talents."

Schulte also earned the admiration and respect of the finance team.

"Working alongside Mary and witnessing her dedication to this college for over two decades has been a great privilege," said Jennifer Brantley, a manager in the Finance Department. "Her leadership has been invaluable to the department and college as a whole. We will definitely miss the knowledge that she takes with her but also miss her as our leader and friend."

Director of Payroll, Budget and Fiscal Operations Cindy McCoy said Mary's work ethic has been an inspiration for her and others.

"Mary has not only guided our team but has shared her invaluable wisdom with each and every one of us," McCoy said. "Every day, Mary has inspired us to be the best we can be. We are so fortunate to have had her leadership, and she will be deeply missed by the Finance Team and everyone else across campus."

Schulte had some advice for those just starting their careers at Lewis and Clark.

"Tackle your responsibilities with everything you have to offer," she said. "You never know what kind of difference you can make if you don't. Don't sell yourself or Lewis and Clark short - we can and do change lives, sometimes without even realizing it."

Schulte has a Master's in Business Administration from Missouri Baptist University (2016) and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University (1989).

Prior to Lewis and Clark, Schulte worked in banking and held management positions in both the accounting and customer service areas.

Immediate plans for her retirement include rest, reading and sleeping in. She and her husband are members of Holy Ghost Church in Jerseyville.

"I am proud of what we - and the collective LC team - have done," she said. "I hope I am remembered as hard-working, fair, honest and dedicated to the success of Lewis and Clark, no matter the topic or funding challenge - and I hope I am seen as instrumental in getting LC to where it is today, particularly as it relates to its financial position."