Rochester Institute of Technology appoints veteran finance leader Chris Regis as new senior vice president and chief financial officer

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology is turning to one of higher education’s most experienced financial leaders as it prepares for the next phase of institutional growth and long-term planning.

University President Bill Sanders has appointed Christine “Chris” Regis as the institution’s new senior vice president and chief financial officer. The appointment becomes effective July 1 and places Regis in charge of overseeing the university’s financial strategy and administrative operations at a time when colleges across the country continue facing economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and increasing pressure to invest in student success initiatives.

Regis arrives at Rochester Institute of Technology after a lengthy tenure at Southern Methodist University, where she spent nearly 20 years serving as senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer. During her time there, she became known nationally for her work in higher education finance and institutional management.

Her career spans more than three decades and includes experience overseeing large-scale financial operations at both private and public universities. At SMU, Regis managed a yearly operating budget of roughly $900 million while also supporting a $2.2 billion endowment. She additionally supervised more than $1 billion in capital development projects, placing her at the center of major institutional investments and campus planning efforts.

RIT officials believe that background makes her especially well suited for the university’s current priorities, which include continued innovation, strategic investment, and operational stability.

“Chris brings the experience, judgment, and collaborative leadership that RIT needs as we continue advancing our Strategic Framework and investing in our future,” Sanders said. “She understands that strong financial stewardship and operational excellence are not ends in themselves — they are essential enablers for innovation and student success.”

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Throughout her time at SMU, Regis developed a reputation for focusing not only on financial stability but also on efficiency and reinvestment. One of her major accomplishments involved leading a broad administrative efficiency initiative that ultimately generated $20 million in recurring savings. According to university officials, those savings were redirected toward academic and research priorities.

Her work extended beyond traditional budgeting and accounting responsibilities. Regis also oversaw modernization efforts involving financial and administrative systems, while helping strengthen cybersecurity measures and enterprise risk management practices. She also played a role in improving campus energy efficiency initiatives and maintaining stable credit ratings alongside successful external audits.

Those achievements come at a critical moment for universities nationwide, many of which are balancing technological transformation with growing expectations from students, faculty, and stakeholders.

Regis said she sees RIT as a university positioned for continued momentum and institutional advancement.

“I am honored to join RIT at such an important moment in its continued transformation,” Regis said. “RIT has a clear sense of purpose, a strong culture of innovation, and a deep commitment to student success. I believe financial strategy is most effective when it is transparent, data driven, and closely aligned with institutional priorities, and I look forward to working alongside the campus community to help advance that mission.”

She added: “I am honored to be selected. My visit to the RIT campus was incredible. It is clear there are many exciting things going on and that with President Sanders’s leadership, there is renewed excitement for the future.”

University leaders emphasized that Regis has consistently worked closely with presidents, provosts, deans, and governing boards throughout her career, helping institutions align financial planning with academic objectives and long-term organizational goals. Her approach, according to Sanders, centers heavily on collaboration and measurable results.

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“Her leadership approach emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and reinvestment in people and programs that deliver measurable outcomes,” added Sanders.

Regis’s academic background is rooted in business and accounting. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Western New Mexico University and later completed a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at New Mexico State University. She is also a certified public accountant and has received national recognition for her leadership within university finance administration.

The move to Rochester also carries personal significance for Regis. Although she spent much of her life away from the region, she was born in Rochester before relocating as a child. Family ties remained strong over the years, and she continued visiting relatives who still live in the area.

Her appointment also marks a transition in leadership for RIT’s finance division. Regis succeeds Jim Watters, whose tenure included periods of significant institutional development and organizational change.

Sanders praised Watters for his years of service and leadership during pivotal moments for the university.

“I am deeply grateful for Jim’s service, and I know you join me in thanking him for his exemplary leadership.”

According to university officials, Watters will begin a sabbatical in July and will continue assisting with projects connected to the RIT Global Delivery Corporation.

With Regis preparing to step into the role this summer, RIT leadership appears focused on maintaining financial discipline while continuing to invest in innovation, infrastructure, and academic growth. For a university known for blending technology, research, and career-focused education, the arrival of a veteran financial strategist may signal a broader push toward long-term sustainability and future expansion.