Centre alumna selected as College’s next CFO

Centre College is pleased to announce Amanda Cook Grimes as the College’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Grimes, a 1987 graduate of Centre, will join the College after serving as the assistant dean of finance and administration at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health.

“Centre's liberal arts and sciences education set the cornerstone for my career,” Grimes said. “I built upon this foundation in my subsequent career choices. Life is not linear, and having a liberal arts and sciences background provided me the opportunity to take on challenges and new areas of responsibility — including mentoring and developing students and employees, which is my passion. 

“Centre's emphasis on ‘learning, leadership and service’ speaks to me, as it correlates with my own beliefs and career goals.”

Grimes’ experience bridging the gap between administration and education will be invaluable to her alma mater and its strong financial health, according to College President Milton C. Moreland.

“Throughout the national search process, Amanda stood out for her expertise in fiscal responsibility and stewardship,” Moreland said. “On top of being well-versed in all things Centre, her vision and beliefs align with our own, and we are eager to see her skills enhance a rich experience at Centre College.” 

At the University of Maryland, Grimes has held roles in the school of public health and other units across the campus. As the principal assistant dean in the school of public health at Maryland, Grimes served as the College’s budget officer, overseeing budgeting and financial controls, gift and research administration, capital projects and strategic financial planning for seven academic units and multiple research centers. In 2011, she was a founding staff member at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, where she managed an annual research budget of $30 million and staff.

“I am a firm believer in data-driven decision making,” Grimes said. “While it is not the only factor in decision making, one must fully understand the analytics and drivers behind your finances to prioritize future opportunities. I believe this strategic approach allows us to look forward, set the College's strategic priorities and chart a collaborative path to achieve these goals.”

Grimes’ career in higher education began as you might expect: with a transformative experience at Centre. She planned on a career in law before becoming one of the first students selected to participate in a College-sponsored internship program with a national bank.

“A new path, one previously not considered, opened for me,” she said. “After working with various banking and financial technology firms, I realized I wanted to put my skills to use in another industry. Granted, most college undergraduates do not have the goal of a finance career in higher education, yet I quickly found that it combined two areas I enjoy: business and mentoring the next generation of leaders. 

“To me, one of Centre's strengths is the mentoring of its students — both faculty and staff. I remember the support I received from not only my advisors but also the staff in career services, advising and academic affairs. It brings me great joy to work with students and help them move forward into their careers.”

It was this background and commitment to students that stood out to the faculty search committee, according to Associate Professor of English Azita Osanloo.

“Amanda Grimes's background is impressive. She brings with her a wealth of experience in higher education and served as an equity officer at her former institution,” Osanloo said. “Furthermore, Ms. Grimes is an alumna of Centre College. Her deep love for Centre was palpable in every single conversation we had with her, and I suspect Ms. Grimes did not simply apply for a job that happened to be at Centre College — she applied for a job because it was at Centre. Our process included conversations with more than a few talented individuals—but we are beyond lucky to have met someone both supremely talented and already invested in Centre's mission.”

Grimes will oversee the facilities and finance offices at Centre. She also noted that she’s eager to continue her hobby of glass fusing, sparked by Stephen Rolfe Powell ’74 and his work.