Kelly Collins named associate vice president for financial operations

Kelly Collins has been named associate vice president (AVP) for financial operations within Clemson University's Division of Finance and Operations. Collins will report to Chief Financial Officer Rick Petillo and will support strategic business decisions for the University. Her position became effective April 22, 2024.

Collins will be charged with ensuring the integrity, accuracy, compliance and feasibility of the total annual operating budget while providing enterprise-level budgeting, long-term planning, forecasting and data analysis. In addition, Collins will strategically leverage opportunities to better utilize resources and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Clemson's financial operations.

"Clemson's path towards strategic business transformation is an exciting one, and I am thrilled to join the journey as the new associate vice president for financial operations," said Collins. "I am eager to contribute to the finance and operations team, leveraging my experience to drive our institution forward so together we can embark on this transformative path and continue to shape Clemson's future success."

"I am truly excited for both the University and our team that Kelly will be leading this effort," said Chief Executive Officer Rick Petillo. "Kelly has an outstanding reputation as a confident, level-headed leader who can lead complex initiatives and bring all the various perspectives together to accomplish a common goal. Also, Kelly has demonstrated an understanding of the needs of the colleges and those of the broader Clemson enterprise, and she will be instrumental in developing and maintaining an alignment between these two perspectives."

Most recently Collins served Clemson University as the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences' chief of staff and operations.