WASHINGTON – Howard University today announced the appointment of Stephen Graham as the chief financial officer (CFO), effective October 1, 2021. In this role, Graham will oversee the University’s financial operations in line with the Howard Forward strategic plan’s efforts to achieve greater financial sustainability and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

“I am pleased to welcome Stephen Graham to Howard University as the chief financial officer,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “His expertise and leadership in higher education finance will be a tremendous asset to the University in this consequential period and as we work to realize our vision of greater financial sustainability.”

Graham joins Howard after having served as the chief financial officer at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey for the last 10 years. There, he managed a $330 million operating budget and assisted in the growth of the Seton Hall University’s endowment to more than $300 million. Graham also facilitated the University’s transition to responsibility center management (RCM) budgeting and helped shepherd Seton Hall through the pandemic.

Prior to his decade of service at Seton Hall, Graham served for two years as the vice president for budget and planning at Pace University in Briarcliff, New York. He joined Pace as assistant vice president for internal audit in 2006. Graham also worked in the private sector as a senior associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, in Philadelphia and as a manager at the Siegfried Group, LLP, in Wilmington, Delaware. He also served as an internal audit specialist for five years at the University of Pennsylvania. Graham received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and his MBA from Drexel University. 

“I am honored to join Howard University at this pivotal point in the history of the University, the higher education industry and the country as a whole,” said Graham. “I am eager to serve this prestigious and important institution under the visionary leadership of President Frederick.”

In his new role at Howard, Graham will report directly to President Frederick and maintain responsibility for all aspects of the financial management of the University, including budget planning and resource allocation, accounting and financial reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, procurement, and cash management. He will provide oversight of Howard University Hospital’s financial management and oversee investment management for Howard’s endowment and pension, debt management and capital planning.

President Frederick also shared his sincere appreciation for the dedicated service of interim Chief Financial Officer Annemieke Martinez, saying “She has demonstrated a true commitment to excellence and service in her role, and we wish her continued success in her role as deputy CFO.”

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges in Washington D.C. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Howard University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.