KIM SAWERS TRADED HER OFFICE in McKenna Hall for one in Demaray Hall this past summer. The former professor of accounting and associate dean for undergraduate studies at SPU was promoted to vice president for business and finance.
From 1985 to 1995, Sawers served as University controller before she worked as the director of finance from 1995 to 1997. Prior to joining the SPU faculty, she worked at the University of California, Riverside, where she was an assistant professor of accounting.
“My 29 years at SPU have also given me a deep appreciation for the people who serve at SPU and their commitment to our students.” — Kim Sawers
“Kim has proven herself many times as a subject-matter expert in the areas of finance and accounting,” said Don Mortenson, retired SPU senior vice president for planning and administration. “She thinks strategically and always has the big picture in mind.”
With a master’s degree in business administration from Seattle Pacific and a PhD from the University of Washington, Sawers taught most of the accounting courses offered at SPU, with a focus on managerial accounting at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Her faculty research dealt with decision-making within a managerial accounting context, drawing on theories from accounting, economics, psychology, and organizational behavior. She has also been a reviewer for multiple academic journals and served as the editor for Issues in Accounting Education.
As SPU’s newest vice president and chief business and financial officer, Sawers will oversee campus functions of finance, budget, facilities, administrative technology, human resources, risk management, legal affairs, and endowment investments.
“I feel my experience as a faculty member and my understanding of the academic enterprise contributes to a more holistic view of the organization and an appreciation for how all the pieces fit together,” Sawers said. “My 29 years at SPU have also given me a deep appreciation for the people who serve at SPU and their commitment to our students. It’s an honor to serve alongside them and contribute in new ways.”
