For his 35 years of leadership in higher education, Dr. Benjamin F. Quillian, executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer of the California State University Office of the Chancellor, received the Distinguished Business Officer Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). The award was presented at the NACUBO’s national conference on July 14.
The Distinguished Business Officer Award is the highest individual honor NACUBO confers, recognizing outstanding achievement in the field of business and financial management in higher education.
“Dr. Quillian’s outstanding oversight of operations helped the CSU navigate a period of severe state budget cuts to emerge as a more efficient and effective university,” said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White. “We are proud of what Ben has accomplished as a leader in higher education and thrilled that he was selected to receive this prestigious award.”
Quillian joined the Chancellor’s Office in 2008 and was named executive vice chancellor for business and finance and chief financial officer in 2009. In this role, he oversees the Division of Business and Finance—supporting the CSU’s educational mission through strong stewardship of fiscal assets, capital projects, information technology, risk management, public safety, support services and budget advocacy.
Prior to his Chancellor’s Office appointment, Quillian served as the senior vice president for business and chief financial officer for the American Council on Education from 2003-2008, and as vice president for administration and chief financial officer at Fresno State from 1993-2003.
Quillian’s career in education has also included serving as an elementary school teacher, a college professor and an education association executive. In 1978, he was hired as the first affirmative action officer at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville—his first position at the senior administrative level.
Quillian earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Harris Teachers College, an M.S. in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and a Ph.D. in Social Relations in Education from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
