Assad Named Vice President for Administration and Finance

Assad Named Vice President for Administration and Finance

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Kutztown University president Dr. Philip Cavalier has named Matthew Assad '15, '26 vice president for Administration and Finance and chief financial officer, effective Wednesday, July 1. Assad has been with KU since 2020 and has served as interim vice president and CFO since January.

As vice president for Administration and Finance, Assad provides strategic leadership for the university's financial and administrative operations. He oversees finance, human resources, equity and compliance, and facilities management. In this role, he is responsible for long-range financial planning, administrative policy development and ensuring the effective stewardship of university resources, while also leading workforce initiatives, maintaining campus infrastructure and overseeing compliance and risk management.

"Matt is a dedicated leader, a strategic thinker, and he always has the best interest of Kutztown University in mind in his work," Cavalier said. "His leadership ability shined during the spring semester as we worked to balance the budget for the coming year and reorganized the division. I look forward to Matt having a long and successful career at KU."

Assad joined Kutztown University in 2020 as assistant controller and was promoted to controller later that year, serving in that role for four years. In 2024, he advanced to executive director of Finance, where he guided the university's financial strategy and long-range planning. In these positions, he oversaw the university's accounting operations, accounts payable, budget and planning, business services and risk management functions.

During his tenure as controller and executive director of Finance, Assad led the development and continual improvement of the university's comprehensive financial plan, strengthening KU's long-term financial sustainability. Under his leadership, the university consistently improved key financial metrics and expanded its capacity for multi-year planning and strategic resource allocation. He also oversaw KU's financial audits, ensuring strong internal controls and compliance. In addition, Assad advanced the modernization of KU's financial processes through the implementation of a new procurement system, purchasing card and travel management systems, and by streamlining workflows through new technology.

"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Kutztown University in this role," Assad said. "KU is a special community, and I feel fortunate every day to work alongside faculty and staff who are deeply committed to our students. I look forward to supporting the university's mission by strengthening our financial foundation and helping ensure our operations reflect the values that make KU such a remarkable place."

Prior to joining KU, Assad spent five years with Kutztown University Student Services, Inc. (KUSSI), serving as associate executive director and controller. He oversaw finance and operations, supported student organizations and strengthened the fiscal health of programs that directly benefit KU's student body.

Assad is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). He earned two degrees from KU, including a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance.