UA names associate vice chancellor for business affairs

Colleen Briney, assistant dean for finance in the College of Engineering, has been named the new associate vice chancellor for business affairs at the University of Arkansas, effective July 1.

Briney will be the chief business officer for the UA, responsible for areas including procurement, accounts payable, travel and surplus property which includes: risk management; transit and parking; print-mail-Copy services; the University Bookstore; and the Garland Center leased retail space. She will report to Tim O'Donnell, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Briney has worked at the UA for 32 years, starting as a staff accountant in the financial affairs office. She served as assistant fiscal officer in the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences and as director of accounting and information services in the Sam M. Walton College of Business prior to joining the College of Engineering.


“Colleen Briney brings a great deal of expertise to the associate vice chancellor position, in addition to her broad experience and understanding of this campus,” said O’Donnell. “The members of our search committee worked diligently to find the best person for this position. I’m delighted that person was so close to home.”

Briney said she’s humbled and excited to assume this new role.

“I am dedicated to using business analytics and innovation to streamline operations and to reduce the cost of doing business. I am also committed to upholding the UA's standards of integrity, transparency, and excellence,” she notes in the release.

Briney has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree from Walton College at the UA. She was licensed as a certified public accountant in Arkansas in 1983.