Ellen Herbst

Ellen Herbst

Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, University System of Maryland

Throughout her career, Ellen Herbst has held a number of senior leadership positions working in diverse sectors such as federal government, higher education and commercial business.

For nearly six years, she has served as the senior vice chancellor for administration and finance at the University System of Maryland. Herbst previously worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce for 12 years rising to the position of chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration. She also was vice president of sales and marketing for Spectra Systems Corporation, Virtual Compliance Inc, and Giesecke & Devrient respectively. She worked for DuPont for 15 years. Herbst earned an executive Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the University of Delaware.

What is the biggest challenge facing higher education?

In today’s higher education climate, I see the biggest challenge around how we can better meet the needs of our students. There is such a variety of student backgrounds today. We continue to strive to help all students and are mindful of the particular needs of working adults, part-time students, and first-generation students.

What is the most encouraging new development in higher education?

I’m especially encouraged that in higher education today there is a recognition that we must “meet the student” where they are in life. This means offering solutions and support that makes their higher education experience easier, rather than demanding that they conform to longstanding approaches offered to more traditional students.

What do you do to unwind?

I enjoy spending time with my family as a way to unwind.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Higher Education Power List for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at thedailyrecord.com.