Wrapping Up UBI Finance 2.0 Office Hours

UBI Finance 2.0 resources are available

Since July 15, the UBI Finance 2.0 team has hosted weekly Office Hours every Tuesday, providing a space for Finance users to ask questions, see demonstrations, and get comfortable with the new reporting tools. These sessions have been well attended and highly engaging, with strong participation across the Finance community.

The final Office Hours session was held on September 30, marking the close of this summer’s full schedule.

Resources at Your Fingertips

If you missed a session or just want to revisit the material, you can find all resource documents, presentation slides, and recordings on the Business Intelligence Analytics site. These materials are available anytime to help you continue exploring and using UBI Finance 2.0 with confidence.

Legacy Reports Being Discontinued

As part of the transition to UBI Finance 2.0, the following reports will be discontinued on October 17, 2025:

• WD Journal Lines
• WD Journal Lines Actuals
• WD Journal Lines Inc Statement
• WD Financial Reporting
• WD Budget vs Actuals
• WD Fund Balances
• WD NACUBO Function Analysis

All of this information has already been migrated into the UBI 2.0 Apps, so you’ll continue to have access in a more streamlined and powerful reporting environment.

Thank You

We’re grateful to everyone who joined the UBI Finance 2.0 Office Hours over the past few months. Your questions, feedback, and participation have helped make the sessions valuable for the whole community. As we move forward, we encourage you to continue exploring the UBI 2.0 Apps and take advantage of the resources available on the Business Intelligence Analytics site.

UVAFinance in Action: September 2025

Getting grubby for a good cause!

UVAFinance Supports Day of Caring

On September 17, members of the UVAFinance Team joined volunteers from across the area for the United Way of Greater Charlottesville’s 34th Annual Day of Caring. Our team members rolled up their sleeves to support projects in local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations: a meaningful reminder of the impact we can make when we step outside our daily routines and give back together.  Thank you to everyone who participated!  See the rest of the pictures on Flickr.

Congrats, Amanda!

Amanda Meares Chosen as NACUBO Emerging Leader

Amanda Meares, Finance Manager in UVAFinance, has been selected as a participant in the 2025–26 NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program!

Meares joined UVAFinance in 2023 as a Senior Financial Reporting Analyst and was soon promoted to Finance Manager. In this role, she has been integral to advancing UVAFinance’s goals and supporting UVA’s mission, working closely with University leadership on priority projects while also collaborating with stakeholder groups like the Finance Advisory Network (FAN). Her work ensures that our financial systems and strategies not only run smoothly but also enable the University to deliver on its mission of education, research, and service.

The NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program, now in its fifth year, equips promising mid-level managers with the skills to strengthen leadership abilities, foster cross-campus collaboration, and expand professional networks. This year’s cohort is the largest yet, with 78 participants representing 69 higher education institutions across 31 states and D.C.

Thank you, Chris!

Peper to be Interim Leader of Financial Planning & Analysis

As Katie Walker, Associate Vice President and Chief Budget Officer, departs UVA to take on her new role as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Indiana University Bloomington, we are pleased to announce that Chris Peper will lead the Office of Financial Planning and Analysis in the interim while a search for Walker’s successor is underway. 

Peper has served as Director of Budgets and Planning since July 2022, guiding the UVA community through the budget development and implementation processes with expertise and dedication. Prior to that role, he was Senior Director of Finance in the School of Education and Human Development, where he built strong partnerships and deep knowledge of UVA’s academic operations. 

UVAFinance appreciates Peper stepping into this interim leadership role and continuing the important work of supporting UVA’s mission through thoughtful planning and analysis. 

Celebrating Growth in the Procurement Team

Congratulations and welcome to the 
new and promoted team members!

UVAFinance is pleased to announce that we have new talent joining Procurement Services and current colleagues stepping into expanded roles.

Bryon Gilstrap has joined the team as Sourcing Director.  Gilstrap brings 20+ years of procurement and supply chain leadership, spanning higher ed, healthcare, and global organizations. His experience leading sourcing transformations and building vendor partnerships will be a major asset as we move forward. 

In addition, following competitive searches, several of our own team members are taking on new roles:

• Kevin Crabtree: Contracts Director
• Krista McDaniel: Contracts Manager
• Heather Hite and Garret Morris: Sourcing Manager
• Devon Stribling: Special Projects Lead
• Anders Coe: Customer Engagement Specialists

These promotions reflect the incredible talent within our team and our shared commitment to growth, collaboration, and service to UVA.

Tech Tips from our LSPs: Data Do’s and Don’ts for AI

Protect UVA's Data when Using AI

When it comes to using AI tools, data safety is non-negotiable. Think of it like this: if you wouldn’t post it on a public website, don’t paste it into an AI prompt.

UVA’s licensed Generative AI tools (Copilot Chat and Copilot for Microsoft 365) include contractual data protection of university information. With appropriately licensed tools, “Sensitive” data may be used in chat prompts. “Highly Sensitive” data, as explicitly defined in the University Data Protection Standards, cannot be included in chat prompts.

UVA staff can use an approved, licensed version of Microsoft’s CoPilot. All info about Microsoft CoPilot at UVA and a form to submit a request for a license can be found here

 Do:

• Use AI with information that is general, public, or non-sensitive
• Share outlines, drafts, or generic text for editing or brainstorming
• Ask AI for help with style, formatting, or idea-generation
• Use Caution with names, numbers, or details ( strip them out or replace them with placeholders if you’re testing an idea).)

Don’t:

• Enter restricted or confidential University data (budgets, salaries, grades, health records, SSNs, etc.).
• Paste in drafts of sensitive reports, agreements, or contracts.
• Upload or copy/paste emails that include private or identifiable details.
• Assume the tool is “private” (many AI systems store prompts for training or troubleshooting).

Treat AI like an external consultant. Share what helps you get useful results, but never what could put UVA Finance’s data or reputation at risk.

_______________________________________________

Read more:  https://genai.provost.virginia.edu/guidance-for-faculty-students / Safely Using Gen AI at UVA

UVA Employee Bike Social

Whether you’re already biking to work or just curious about giving it a try, come join UVA Sustainability for the UVA Employee Bike Social! 

Enjoy free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, music, and lawn games while connecting with fellow bike enthusiasts. Explore tables from local bike-related community organizations, try out demo bikes, and take advantage of plenty of bike parking. The event is hosted by UVA Parking & Transportation, UVA Recreation, and the UVA Office for Sustainability. In case of rain, we’ll move the fun inside the AFC.

Details: 

• Wednesday, October 1
• 3-6 pm
• Outside the Aquatic & Fitness Center

• 
  

Launching the UVA Staff Sustainability Leadership Program

Begins in January

October will be an exciting month for Sustainability at UVA. The Office for Sustainability is thrilled to announce the launch of the new UVA Staff Sustainability Leadership Program: a professional development pilot beginning in January 2026. 

 

UVA Staff Sustainability Leadership Program 🌍 🤝
The UVA Staff Sustainability Leadership Program will engage UVA staff in advancing initiatives that conserve resources and reduce waste within their departments. Participants will move through three phases — Learning, Empowering, and Leading — to build sustainability knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and implement a workplace project that supports UVA’s 2030 sustainability goals.

The program includes:

• Bi-weekly, in-person sessions on Thursday mornings (January–April)
• Monthly project support meetings (May–July)
• Final showcase and reception (August)

Applications are due November 1, 2025. Space is limited to 10–15 participants, and all applicants will be notified of their status by December 1. This program is offered at no cost to UVA staff.

Learn more and apply at sustainability.virginia.edu/uva-staff-sustainability-leadership-program

OE Sponsored Workshop: Leading Resilient Organizations

Learn how to make change approachable

Change can often feel slow and frustrating, especially in large institutions where new ideas are met with hesitation. But innovation does not always mean introducing something entirely new. It can also mean building steady habits and practices that allow teams to move forward with clarity. The goal is to grow with change while continuing to anticipate challenges, adapt to new circumstances, and stay true to core values and purpose.

 
This fall, Organizational Excellence is hosting a two-session workshop with Teibel Education Consulting that will help participants strengthen these skills and approaches.

About the Workshop:

• Leading Resilient Organizations: Adapt, Innovate, and Thrive will offer strategies to:
• Create a culture of innovation that supports meaningful change
• Encourage productive mindsets across the organization
• Build strong networks of commitment through intentional communication

Workshop Details

• Dates: October 28 and  October 30, 2025
• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Online, with link provided upon registration
• Presenters: Howard Teibel and Mary Herbert, Teibel Education Consulting
• Cost: $425

Participation is first-come, first-served. For more information or to register, contact Tim Kelley at orgex@virginia.edu

You're Invited: Hoo Serves Community Fair

 

You're invited!

Drop by the Hoo Serves Community Fair this October 7 to meet representatives from local service organizations that could use your help! 

At the fair, you can explore meaningful opportunities for making a difference in our community that might fit with your passion and expertise - whether it’s hands-on service, ongoing volunteer work, or even stepping into a public service board role.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn from one another!  Ask fellow staff members about their volunteer experiences. Remember that every team member has up to 16 hours of paid school assistance and volunteer service leave time each year, so you can make an impact while on the clock. 

Come explore, connect, and get inspired to make a difference!

 

 

 

UVAFinance In Action: September 11, 2025

From L to R: Syd Dorsey, Ajoni Wynn-Floyd, 
Sara Johnson-Ward

Procurement Team at Convergence 2025

Members of the Procurement Team represented UVA at Convergence 2025, a Supplier Expo & Career Fair hosted by Dominion Energy.  The event was held on September 9 in Richmond, and featured more than 65 exhibitors ready to network with attendees representing small, local, and diverse businesses.  Syd Dorsey, Sarah Johnson-Ward, and Ajoni Wynn-Floyd talked with hundreds of attendees about business opportunities at UVA, and Wynn-Floyd even presented a breakout session on "How to do Business With UVA."  Thank you for your community outreach!

Logan Hobbs

Logan Hobbs Helps International Students Navigate Tax Questions

Starting at a new university can be daunting—especially when it involves navigating a new country’s requirements and systems. At UVA’s International Orientation this fall, nearly 1,000 new international undergraduate and graduate students were welcomed to Grounds. Among the many University resources on hand was UVAFinance’s own Logan Hobbs, Compliance Manager in Financial Operations & Tax.

Hobbs set up a table alongside Student Health, the University Police Department, the Lorna Sundberg International Student Center, and the Honor Committee to offer guidance on tax matters. His expertise proved valuable, as he answered questions for 50–60 students during each session, while many others stopped by to pick up flyers and resources to review later.

By providing this kind of one-on-one support, Hobbs demonstrates how UVAFinance plays a vital role in helping students succeed from the very beginning of their UVA journey. 

We’re hiring: Tax Analyst / Senior Tax Analyst

Join the UVAFinance Team!

Are you a tax professional looking to grow your career in a collaborative, mission-driven environment? Do you know someone who might fit that bill?   UVAFinance at the University of Virginia is seeking a Tax Analyst or Senior Tax Analyst (depending on experience) to join our Financial Operations team.

In this role, you’ll:

•  Ensure compliance with tax laws related to the University’s educational and research activities
•  Guide departments and international students on complex tax and immigration-related issues
•  Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate tax withholdings
• Contribute to a range of tax functions, including sales tax, VAT, unrelated business income tax, and more

We’re looking for someone who brings integrity, strong analytical skills, and a customer-service mindset, someone excited to translate complex tax issues into clear guidance for our diverse UVA community.

Feel free to share with your network!  

Harmonizing People and Process: Introducing Holly Bolton

This city girl is rediscovering her roots

As a a student, Holly Bolton dreamed of life on the stage as an opera singer. Though her path shifted, she never lost her voice: it simply took on a different form. Today, she uses it to shape teams, strengthen organizations, and create spaces where people can do their best work. 

That voice has guided her through a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from New Jersey City University and more than 15 years of leadership roles in higher education. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff to both the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at New York University, where she led cross-functional teams, advised senior leadership, managed operations for more than 1,600 employees, and championed inclusion efforts. 

Now, Bolton brings her experience and energy to UVA as Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chief Financial Officer. She’s eager to provide structure and clarity in ways that help others thrive, ensuring that UVAFinance is not only respected as a partner across Grounds but is also a place where colleagues feel included, supported, and empowered to do their best work. 

Just a few weeks into her new role, Bolton is enjoying being on the UVAFinance Team.  “I like the people and their willingness to just jump right in,” she says. “Everyone wants to be of help, and there are no big egos.” 

As Bolton enjoys the collaborative, servant-leader spirit she’s found here, she’s also adjusting to life in Charlottesville and rediscovering her Southern roots (she has two bachelor’s degrees, one from Auburn University and another from the University of Alabama at Birmingham).  One of the biggest transitions, she says, is navigating the transition from city sidewalks to car commutes.  

Outside of work, she loves exploring off-the-beaten-path places and finding hidden gems, getting outdoors on her bike, and immersing herself in the fantastical worlds of sci-fi and Marvel stories.  “My movie interest is that of a teenage boy,” she laughs.  

We’re grateful to have Holly as part of the team and look forward to her using her influence to harmonize people, processes, and possibilities.   

Wellness Resources: September 2025

Fall is here, and with it comes a reminder to slow down, reset, and take care of yourself. This month’s wellness opportunities show how small actions can make a real difference. Maybe it’s a short break to clear your head, a fitness class to get your body moving, or a visit to the Expo to explore helpful resources. However you choose to show up for yourself, these moments all add up to support your well-being.

Micro Health Breaks

• Begin on September 15
• Ten-minute sessions designed to help you step away, stretch, and reset
• A simple way to ease stress and strengthen your body throughout the day
• Check them out on the HR website

Fall Fitness with Hoos Well and UVA Rec

• Free drop-in fitness classes and training are available this fall
• A chance to explore new workouts or simply stay active at no cost
• Visit the Hoos Well site.

Benefits and Well-Being Expo

• Wednesday, October 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Newcomb Hall Ballroom on the third floor
• Meet benefits providers and resource partners
• Presentations offered in person and virtual with the schedule to be released later this month
• Flu vaccines available on site
• Additional Expos at UVA Wise and the UVA Medical Center
• Read more on the HR site

Building on Experience: Mike Priddy Joins UVA Finance in a New Role

The Priddy Family

The Workday Support Team is pleased to welcome Mike Priddy to the team!

Priddy has built his career here at UVA, previously working in the Office of Sponsored Programs, where he supported the University in areas such as research administration and financial compliance. His experience in that role, along with similar exposure during his 11 years in corporate America, sparked an interest in data and analytics and drew him to this new opportunity. Having worked with the team in the past, he is glad to return in a new capacity where he can contribute to the culture and community he knows well.

In his new position, Priddy is eager to be an asset to the team by applying careful analysis and problem-solving to improve UVA’s financial systems and processes. He is looking forward to making an impact that reaches across the University, strengthening the systems that support students, faculty, and sponsored programs on a large scale.

Outside of work, Priddy spends time with his community and family. He coaches two travel basketball teams and serves as an assistant coach for a local high school golf team, finding joy in mentoring young athletes. His commitment to youth extends beyond the court as he has helped run a nonprofit for more than three years that introduces local kids to golf, called Fore The Valley. At home, Priddy and his wife, Erika, are raising three children who each pursue their own passions in music, acting, singing, scouting, and sports. The family also has two dogs: one named Hatch, after the famous Hatch green chili pepper, and the other named Carl.

We are glad to have Priddy on the team and look forward to all he will bring to UVA Finance.

Andrew Sallans Completes Cornerstone Program with Practical Results for the School of Data Science

Sallans was part of the 10th
Cohort of the Cornerstone Program

This fall, Andrew Sallans wrapped up a yearlong journey as part of the University of Virginia’s Cornerstone Program, a leadership development initiative launched in 2014 to prepare emerging leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. Sallans was part of the program’s 10th cohort, which will officially graduate on September 30.

Cornerstone is designed to help participants grow through 360 feedback, one-on-one mentoring, monthly classroom sessions, and, perhaps most importantly, collaborative team projects. These projects bring together participants from across UVA to tackle a real organizational need and present their findings to leadership.

For Sallans, that project was with UVA’s newest school: the School of Data Science (SDS). Alongside his teammates Jennett Murphy (Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy) and Bob Jones (ITS), Andrew set out to explore how SDS could better support its international scholars (a group that includes postdocs, graduate students, and faculty) navigating the unique challenges of studying and working in a new country.

“It’s a highly competitive space,” Sallans explains. “Data science scholars are in demand, and they expect a high level of support. Everything from signing a lease to getting a driver’s license can feel overwhelming in an unfamiliar environment and can become a barrier to attracting top talent.”

The team’s original plan to interview international scholars was complicated by external factors, including changes in federal policy. The team regrouped and pivoted to a landscape survey, mapping out what resources already exist at UVA (like visa services from the International Studies Office or integration support from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs), identifying gaps (such as housing assistance), and creating a practical resource guide that SDS can immediately put to use.

The result? A deliverable with real staying power. The School of Data Science is incorporating the guide into its operations, and Sallans sees potential for broader impact: “This could easily be something that other schools use. There’s never been a centralized guide like this, and it might even spark a community of practice across UVA to support international students and scholars.”

That kind of ripple effect is exactly what the Cornerstone Program aims for: preparing leaders not only to think strategically, but also to deliver meaningful results that benefit the broader University community.

Please join us in congratulating Andrew on completing the Cornerstone Program and on leaving behind a resource that will make UVA a more welcoming place for international scholars.

___________________________________________________________

Interested in the Cornerstone Program?  Read more here. 

How the Federal Shutdown Affects Sponsored Research

Updates from our friends in Sponsored Programs and the VPR

During a recent update from the Office of Sponsored Programs, Laura Kozma, Associate Vice President for Research Operations and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs, shared how the ongoing federal shutdown and related government activity are influencing UVA’s sponsored research.

The good news:

• Payments are still coming through. Federal drawdowns are continuing as usual, meaning UVA is still being reimbursed for grant expenses.
• Cash flow remains stable. The University’s twice-monthly draw schedule hasn’t been disrupted, and most agencies’ systems are still operational.

Areas to watch:

• No new federal awards are being issued during the shutdown. A short closure has limited impact, but the longer the shutdown lasts, the greater the potential delay in issuing new awards once federal staff return.
• Proposal reviews may be delayed. Even though proposal submissions continue, review panels and award recommendations are paused in some cases.
• Stop-work orders have been received for a few federal contracts, requiring an immediate halt to work and reallocation of personnel to other projects or non-sponsored accounts.
• Terminations and appeals continue to be processed, and OSP is working closely with General Counsel to ensure compliance while protecting UVA’s interests.

Overall, UVA remains financially stable through the shutdown, though research teams could see delays in new awards and federal processing times once operations resume.

More Information

• For more information, visit the Office of the Vice President for Research or the VPR’s Federal Updates page.
• Have questions on how this relates to Accounts Payable? Reach out to us at askfinance@virginia.edu.