Transition in W&M's administration
William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe sent the following message to the campus community Feb. 17, 2020. - Ed.
Dear W&M Community,
I write to let you know that Senior Vice President Sam Jones has shared with me his intention to retire this year, after more than three decades of passionate and dedicated service to William & Mary. Sam has been a steadfast and inspiring partner to five presidents. From overseeing major construction to securing our budget priorities in Richmond to leading emergency management and many business operations and initiatives, Sam has played a critical role in advancing the prosperity of this university and community. A press release on Sam’s accomplishments and remarkable service to W&M is linked here.
Sam will step down from his role at the end of June. I am pleased to announce that Amy Sebring, currently our vice president for finance and technology, has agreed to take on additional responsibility as Chief Operating Officer. In that role, Amy will oversee a consolidation of areas previously under both her and Sam, including auxiliary services, emergency management and public safety, facilities, finance, human resources, risk management and compliance, information technology and real estate. The new structure allows us to eliminate one vice president position.
As indicated by the adjusted title – Chief Operating Officer – this restructuring allows us to streamline administrative operations in a single, cohesive leadership team, under one executive. The COO’s leadership team will partner with and support academic leadership, advancing our educational mission. This partnership is especially important as we finish this year’s phase of strategic planning.
Four years ago, Amy Sebring was selected in a national search as Sam Jones’s eventual successor – with a view to the continuity that a gradual transition in this essential role would provide. She has proved a trusted and effective leader, joining Sam as a full partner in the senior leadership team at William & Mary. I am delighted she has agreed to this expanded role. I have enormous confidence in her vision and leadership.
I am also sensible of how fortunate I am to have benefited from Sam’s wisdom and warm welcome over these past two years at William & Mary. There will be many occasions this spring to celebrate him and I hope you will join me in sending him your very best wishes.
Best regards,
– Katherine A. Rowe
President
The role of the Chief Operating Officer
Reporting to the president, the COO partners with senior leaders in developing university strategy while overseeing a complex financial and business operation. Guided by the university’s vision, mission, and values, the COO advances organizational sustainability and innovation, championing a culture of inclusive excellence. The COO is a member of the President’s Executive Leadership Team as well as the President’s Cabinet. The COO is responsible for strategic management of the university’s financial affairs, debt, and budget; human resources; information technology; campus planning, maintenance, and capital projects; procurement and auxiliary services; safety and security.