The University of South Carolina Upstate has announced the appointment of Steven Hardy, Ed.D., as the new vice chancellor for finance and administration, effective June 1. Hardy brings a wealth of experience to USC Upstate, having previously served as vice president for finance and administrative services at Passaic County Community College in Paterson, New Jersey. In his new capacity, Hardy will be a pivotal member of the chancellor’s leadership team, managing a $90 million budget and steering strategic direction in core administrative sectors such as human resources, facilities, public safety, and business services. Chancellor Bennie Harris expressed his enthusiasm about Hardy’s appointment, stating, “I am pleased to welcome Steven to our leadership team at USC Upstate. His extensive experience in finance and administrative operations at public colleges, coupled with his proven leadership and collaborative skills, will be invaluable as we pursue our strategic priorities to propel regional economic growth and enhance social mobility.” Hardy’s role will encompass financial oversight of all university funds, capital planning, major contract management, and ensuring compliance with system, state, and federal regulations. Additionally, he will represent USC Upstate on system-wide financial committees and offer guidance on legal and contractual matters. Hardy shared his excitement about joining USC Upstate, saying, “I am inspired by all the success that the institution is achieving. I look forward to working with everyone to contribute to its success and help optimize its performance and resources to achieve its mission and reach its goals.” Hardy’s professional journey began at Passaic County Community College in 2014, where he initially served as vice president for finance and administration. By 2016, he was vice president for finance and administrative services, overseeing budgeting, procurement, regulatory compliance, and institutional planning. His responsibilities extended to advising senior leadership on strategic initiatives and capital funding, in addition to managing audits, financial reporting, and investment performance. Prior to his tenure at Passaic, Hardy held the position of assistant vice president for financial affairs and university controller at the University of Texas at San Antonio. There, he was responsible for financial reporting of approximately $1.2 billion in assets and supervised accounting, payroll, grants, and disbursements. His career also includes a role as vice president of administration and finance at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In this role, he directed financial operations, campus safety, strategic planning, and capital project financing, successfully steering the college through multiple clean audits and major compliance initiatives. Hardy’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Additionally, he is a certified treasury professional (CTP) and a graduate of the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education. Note: This article is inspired by content from https://uscupstate.edu/steven-hardy-new-vice-chancellor-for-finance-and-administration-2/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.
Steven Hardy Appointed as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at USC Upstate
