Sept. 29, 2023–Missouri Western State University has named Daniel Holt as vice president for finance and administration. Holt, currently vice president for finance and operations at William Jewell College, will begin his duties Oct. 25.
“Daniel has demonstrated the ability to strategically analyze and effectively address challenging financial and budgetary situations, empowering his team members to devise innovative solutions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “I’m thrilled that he will be joining our Missouri Western family.”
Holt has been at William Jewell since 2004, beginning as student employment and financial aid coordinator before serving as director of financial aid, associate vice president for institutional strategy and chief financial officer before assuming his current title last year.
“I’m excited to be a Griffon,” Holt said. “I look forward to helping Missouri Western strategically maximize student success and satisfaction with finite resources, developing creative and innovative ways to do that while preserving our core mission and values.”
Holt received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He previously held office in the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel (MASFAP) and the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He was selected for the Council of Independent Colleges Senior Leadership Academy in 2021, and received the MASFAP Bob Berger Newcomer of the Year Award in 2005, an award named for the longtime director of financial aid at Missouri Western.
As vice president for finance and administration, Holt will be Missouri Western’s chief financial officer. He will oversee the University’s accounting, budgeting, student billing and collections, payroll, purchasing, financial aid, physical plant, capital and construction management, security and safety services, human resources, information technology, bookstore, food services and many other administrative functions.
Daniel Holt succeeds Ron Olinger, who has served as interim vice president since March. Olinger will remain at Missouri Western through the end of October to assist in the transition.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.