University Marketing and Communications
Maureen Brakke, 503-838-9329
Brittany Kima, 503-838-8163
MONMOUTH, Ore.—After a thorough search assisted by Anthem Executive, a national search firm, Kwabena Boakye has been selected as the new Vice President for Administration and Finance for Western Oregon University, effective Feb. 28.
Boakye is a financial and audit professional with expertise in higher education financial management, resource prioritization and allocation, strategic planning, and budget integration, enrollment and revenue forecast integration, facility operations and space utilization, enterprise risk management, internal controls and compliance, policy and procedures formulation and continuous improvement, financial resources review, audit management, and organizational review.
Boakye brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education, having held prominent leadership roles as Vice President for Administrative Services at Grays Harbor College and Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. In these positions, he provided strategic direction for finance and administration, developed financial health dashboards, and ensured both short-term fiscal solvency and long-term sustainability.
“Boakye’s extensive experience and proven leadership in finance and administration make him an exceptional candidate for Western,” said President Jesse Peters. “We are confident that his expertise and vision will be a tremendous asset to our institution’s growth and success.”
Previously, he served as Audit Manager at the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents and as Director of Internal Audit at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College, where he identified significant risks and played a key role in crafting a new audit manual. His extensive background also includes positions as Senior Auditor for the California State University system and Associate Finance Program Evaluator for the California Department of Finance, complemented by experience in public accounting. Boakye holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from California State University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.
“I am honored to have been selected as the successful candidate to serve in this position and am excited to join Western’s executive leadership,” said Boakye. “I’m committed to excellence and Western’s mission, vision, and values, and look forward to engaging and working collaboratively with the university community.”
Boakye has been married to his wife Grace for 20 years and has three teenage children. As soccer enthusiasts, they look forward to supporting the Wolves soccer teams and the Portland Timbers.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
