Duane Bonifer  |  Published September 19, 2019

Meet the New VP for Finance and Business

Higher education veteran Melony Sacopulos named College’s vice president for finance and business.

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Higher education veteran Melony Sacopulos has been named Monmouth College Vice President for Finance and Business.

MELONY SACOPULOS: Brings "impressive depth and breadth of experience" to her position. MELONY SACOPULOS: Brings "impressive depth and breadth of experience" to her position.Sacopulos – who has more than 25 years of experience in higher education administration, finance and law at Indiana State University – will assume her duties Dec. 1.

“Melony brings impressive depth and breadth of experience to this position,” said Monmouth President Clarence R. Wyatt. “Just as impressive is her commitment to higher education and her clear enthusiasm for this opportunity. Melony’s intellect, character and energy will be great assets as together we continue to strengthen the College’s ability to serve its mission for the long run.

“Melony distinguished herself among a strong pool of candidates, and I want to thank all of the members of the search committee for their excellent work.”

Sacopulos said she was attracted to Monmouth because “it is a college that clearly knows who it is and where it is going.”

“Everyone I met – President Wyatt, members of the board of trustees, and especially the faculty and staff – were very impressive in their commitment to the College’s success,” said Sacopulos. “President Wyatt is a strong, visionary leader who addresses important issues critical to the College’s growth over the long term. There is a lot of energy and momentum on campus, and for good reason.”

Monmouth leaders were equally impressed by Sacopulos’ higher education resume.

“She has a great combination of an outstanding educational background, professional experiences and deep community involvement,” said Monmouth trustee Jackie Bell Zachmeyer ’89, who is chair of the board’s Finance & Business Affairs Committee. “Melony is a well-rounded person with a background that will fit well into the Monmouth College community. I look forward to working with her on our continuous journey to make Monmouth College an even greater place for students, faculty, staff and alumni.”

In addition to continuing to evolve and innovate existing academic programs, Monmouth has started new programs in data science, engineering and neuroscience, and established a bachelor of science degree, all of which are pending Higher Learning Commission approval.

The 2020 edition of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges placed Monmouth No. 124 nationally in the publication’s “National Liberal Arts Colleges” category, an increase of almost 50 spots since 2013. In the current edition of the Washington Monthly’s College Guide and Rankings, Monmouth was ranked No. 82 among liberal arts colleges, up 101 spots since 2014.

“For the last several years, the board has made several strategic, focused investments that have significantly advanced the College’s position with current and prospective students,” said Monmouth Board of Trustees Chairman Mark Kopinski ’79. “Melony clearly demonstrated that she is the individual to help the College continue its national ascent.”

Sacopulos will succeed Richard Marshall, who has been the College’s chief financial officer for more than six years and will retire Dec. 31.

“Melony will be succeeding an exceptional CFO in Richard Marshall,” said Wyatt. “Richard’s long experience, his technical expertise, his strategic thinking and his desert-dry sense of humor have been invaluable. He is leaving the College a significantly sounder institution, and has helped place it on a path to even greater service and success. In addition to being an outstanding colleague, Richard is a good friend. We all wish him Godspeed as he moves into a well-earned retirement.”

Sacopulos earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University, a law degree from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a master of laws degree in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. In addition to her administrative duties at Indiana State, Sacopulos has also taught classes in accounting and law.

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