URI Appoints New VP For Administration

The University of Rhode Island has hired a new vice president for administration and finance to succeed former Rhode Island congressman Robert Weygand, who held the position since 2004.

The Rhode Island Board of Education Monday approved the appointment of Christina Valentino, an official at the University of California at Santa Cruz. 

Valentino will serve as URI's senior operating officer, supporting the president and provost on all matters relating to the university's administration. She will oversee URI Budget and Financial Planning, Campus Planning and Design, Capital Projects, Controller's Office, Facilities Services, Human Resources, Internal Audit, Payroll, Public Safety and Risk Management, Purchasing, Property and Support Services and Transportation Center, in addition to the Boss Arena, Ryan Center and W. Alton Jones Campus.

Valentino has worked for 20 years at UC Santa Cruz in administration, finance, human resources, strategic planning, development and other areas. She served for more than a decade as vice chancellor and associate vice chancellor for business and administrative services, where she provided leadership for most of the areas she will oversee at URI. She also served as chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, incident commander for emergency management and chair of the executive committee on sustainability. 

Valentino has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles and a graduate certificate in public affairs through the CORO Foundation Fellowship program. 

“It is a pleasure to join President Dooley’s leadership team at the University of Rhode Island and become part of the URI campus community,” Valentino said. “URI is both an impressive academic institution and an essential economic force in the New England region, creating knowledge and producing the next generation of world leaders, while generating revenue, providing jobs, and serving as a key factor in the financial vitality of Rhode Island. The vice president of administration and finance plays an important role by continually and strategically strengthening campus operations in support of the academic mission. I look forward to being a part of a truly visionary team.”

"Christina has proven to be an effective leader in higher education and will be a tremendous asset to my leadership team here at the University of Rhode Island," said URI President David M. Dooley. "Her comprehensive experience and vision will strengthen our ability to manage our operations, facilities and finances."

With URI, Valentino has entered into a three-year contract with an annual salary of $225,000, and will begin her new job on Oct. 1.