Key players Dolan and Frost leaving Fairfield

Two top administrators are leaving Fairfield this summer and have accepted positions at other schools.

President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., announced on Wednesday, June 6, the departure of Vice President of Finance and Treasurer Julie Dolan and Vice President for University Advancement Stephanie Frost.

After three years of service at Fairfield, Dolan will move to Clark University in Worcester, Mass. as that school’s new Executive Vice President and Treasurer. She replaces James E. Collins at Clark, who is retiring.

In the recent years, she focused on developing a 10-year financial prediction model that was supported by analysis of undergraduate and graduate programs and the restructuring their resources. Before Fairfield,  Dolan held administrative and financial positions at Vanderbilt University, Harvard University and Tufts University.

According to Dolan, the position at Clark University “was not one I could pass up,” even though she had not planned on leaving Fairfield.

“It will also be much closer to my family in New Hampshire,” Dolan said.

Frost has accepted a position as Associate Vice President of External Affairs at Stanford University. She served as Fairfield’s Vice President for University Advancement since the summer of 2006. Under her leadership, the department has seen the development and growth of Major Gift, Planned Giving and Annual Fund teams. Fairfield’s fundraising revenue has increased by 30 percent since her appointment.

Her previous experience included 16 years of fundraising positions including service as Director of Major Gifts at Yale. Her work in Stanford, Calif. will begin in early September.

Frost said: “I have decided after much personal and professional consideration to pursue this opportunity at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.  It was always my intent to stay at Fairfield for the duration of the Fairfield Rising campaign, so this is not a decision I came to lightly.”

The two departments – advancement and finance – are responsible for matters such as Fairfield’s new developments and budget. The sectors under the departing administrators’ management have faced challenges amid the Great Recession.

In these situations, management comes under fire. 

Recent graduate Jordan Freeman said in reaction to Dolan’s departure, “Dolan was a ‘joke’ for lack of better terms. No real financial background. Hopefully Fairfield’s next hire will have some background in Accounting, or Finance so we can avoid a huge deficit like she ran up her first year.”

In addition, Chris Tecchio ‘11 said, “Dolan was here what [two] years at most? Her departure is puzzling.”

Senior Vice President for Administration and Chief of Staff Mark Reed will oversee the areas Frost administered until a replacement is found for her.

Assistant Vice President and Controller Ken Fontaine will oversee Dolan’s past departments along with retired Associate Vice President for Finance Michael Maccarone, until a new Chief Financial Officer is found.

Both Dolan and Frost expressed confidence in the respective interim of their departments.