Office of Finance

The Batten School & VIMS Office of Finance, led by the Chief Financial Officer, oversees several key functional areas including budgeting, financial planning, and analysis, sponsored programs, procurement, shipping and receiving, financial compliance and risk management. Together, these functions support the responsible stewardship of enterprise-wide resources totaling approximately $350 million across sponsored awards, capital outlay, institutional, and private funds. The office manages annual expenditures of nearly $80 million, ensuring financial operations are strategic, compliant, and aligned with the institution’s mission.

What do you need help with?

Purchasing, Procurement & Travel

For general procurement inquiries, please email procurement@vims.edu and your question will be directed to the appropriate person.

Find your dedicated Purchasing Contact:

  • Academic Affairs, Information Technology, ABC, Acuff Center: Samantha Uylengco (Samantha also manages Ricoh printer/copier contracts)
  • Dean & Director's Office, Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Advancement, Communications, Marketing & Engagement, Inclusive Excellence & Belonging: Kelsey Birch (Kelsey also manages EMS billings)
  • Analytical Services, Office of Research & Advisory Services, Virginia Sea Grant: Benita Debreaux (Benita also manages subrecipient payments)
  • Coastal & Ocean Processes, Natural Resources: Holly Sterner (Holly also manages Scientific Equipment Service Agreements)
  • Ecosystem Health, CCRM: Cynthia Vinson 

For dedicated travel assistance and travel-related purchases please contact Brandy Lowery.

Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)

For general OSP strategy, contact Maddie Eaton, Interim Director of OSP. 

Find your OSP Administrator for grant routing and post-award support:

Grants & Contracts Accounting:

  • Sponsored Programs Accounting Manager: Vacant
  • Sponsored Program Accountants:
    • Natural Resources, MAP, ESL: Katy Hertzog
    • Coastal & Ocean Processes, CBNERR: Vacant
    • Ecosystem Health, Virginia Sea Grant, CCRM: Alyssa Shackleford

Unit Budgets & Financial Officers

Your Financial Officer is your primary point of contact for unit-level budget management and financial forecasting.

Shipping & Receiving (S&R)

Handling all inbound/outbound logistics, freight, and asset tracking.

Risk Management, Service Centers, Financial Policies & Procedures

Contact this team for matters regarding Service/Re-charge Center Administration, Internal/External Audits, Financial Policies, Indirect Costs (IDC), Cost Share, and Intellectual Property Finances.

Institutional Accounting 

Contact this team for matters regarding Budget and Financial Planning, Capital Outlay, VIMS Foundation funding, and Equipment Trust Funding.