Driving Financial Transformation and Strategic Alignment at Western Kentucky University

Driving Financial Transformation and Strategic Alignment at Western Kentucky University

Recorded On: 05/13/2025

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Despite pervasive challenges in higher education, Western Kentucky University (WKU) has significantly transformed its financial planning processes, ensuring robust financial health for the future. This evolution has resulted in enhanced data transparency, fostered compelling dialogues between deans and the administration, and has been critical in forging a unified strategic approach across WKU.  

In this presentation, attendees will gain insights into WKU's transition to a responsibility center management (RCM) budget model, the methodologies employed by the finance team in tuition revenue analysis and fee structuring, and the establishment of forward-looking financial plans. Presenters will share their processes and lessons learned along the way, as well as how these changes have enabled them to make timely, data-driven decisions institution-wide to drive strong financial performance.

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, you will be able to—

  • Articulate the role of data transparency in financial planning.
  • Identify best practices for establishing forward-looking financial plans.
  • Explain tuition revenue analysis and fee structuring methodologies.

Recording

This webinar will be recorded. Registrants will receive an email when the recording is available.


Sponsor

This NACUBO Partner Webinar is created by and offered free for members thanks to:

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This webinar and associated materials are provided for general informational purposes only. The views expressed in the webinar are those of the sponsor and/or individual speakers and not NACUBO. NACUBO does not necessarily endorse any information, views, products, or services discussed in the webinar.

Renaldo Domoney

Assistant Vice President for Budget, Finance and Analytics

Western Kentucky University

Renaldo Domoney serves as the Assistant Vice President for Budget, Finance, and Analytics at Western Kentucky University (WKU), where he oversees a comprehensive portfolio of financial operations. His responsibilities include accounting and financial reporting, accounts payable, budget and financial planning, debt management, payroll, student accounts, tax, and treasury functions. He recently played a pivotal role in guiding WKU through a transformative shift from an incremental budget to an incentive-based, RCM budget model. Simultaneously, he led the implementation of a campus-wide budget management software, Axiom, significantly enhancing the university's budget development process and financial planning capabilities. Renaldo earned both his MBA and bachelor’s degree in finance from Murray State University.

Disha Venkatesan

Vice President, Higher Education Growth

Syntellis, now part of Strata

Disha Venkatesan is an influential leader in the realm of higher education financial strategy and planning. With a notable tenure as vice president of the higher education practice at Kaufman Hall and over five years at Syntellis, she has excelled in driving revenue growth and optimizing resource allocation in higher ed. Her dedication to equipping universities for future challenges is reflected in her development and implementation of advanced budgeting and strategic planning tools, benefiting over 100 institutions. Venkatesan's rich educational background includes a master's of public policy from the University of Virginia, an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business, and executive education from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Her innovative problem-solving and leadership skills have markedly enhanced operational efficiency and financial outcomes across universities.

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Driving Financial Transformation and Strategic Alignment at Western Kentucky University
05/13/2025 at 3:00 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 05/13/2025  |  59 minutes
05/13/2025 at 3:00 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 05/13/2025  |  59 minutes
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Strata Decision Technology, LLC provides innovative enterprise performance management software, data, and intelligence solutions for higher education institutions. Its powerful budgeting, financial planning, and analytics solutions — including robust reporting and visualization tools — help colleges and universities elevate financial performance and transform vision into reality. Leading institutions use the flexible, powerful, and intuitive Axiom software to manage billions in revenues and endowments. Strata’s proven industry expertise helps colleges and universities acquire insights, accelerate decisions, and advance their business plans. For more information, please visit https://www.stratadecision.com.

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