University Finance Team earns SACUBO best practice recognition
A longstanding collaborative effort between The University of Texas at San Antonio’s academic and finance leaders was recognized this week at the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) annual meeting in Dallas.
The University Finance Team (UFT) presentation earned first runner-up honors for SACUBO’s 2026 Best Practice Award, placing it among the top initiatives selected from 13 nominated presentations across the region. The recognition highlights UT San Antonio’s innovative approach to shared governance, financial transparency and cross-divisional collaboration.
The UFT session was presented by Sheri Hardison, vice president and chief financial officer for the academic campus, and Brian McNamara, assistant vice president for academic resource management, during the SACUBO Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas. The presentation — titled “Living the Mission: Building the Bridge to the Engine Room” — traced the evolution of UFT from its origins in 2018 to its current role as a critical forum for decision-making between Academic Affairs and Financial Affairs.
Originally established in 2018 by leaders in Business Affairs and Academic Affairs, UFT was created to oversee the university’s Incentivized Resource Management budget model. Over time, the team expanded its focus to address a wide range of academic and financial challenges, adapting its structure and priorities to meet the institution’s evolving needs while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
“UFT works through complex issues together so we can make informed recommendations to senior leadership and present unified decisions to the academic campus,” Hardison said. “It’s an example of collaboration, innovation and respect for different perspectives, and it’s a meeting many of us genuinely look forward to each week.”
The session also highlighted how UFT helps dismantle barriers that can develop between mission-driven academic units and finance and administrative offices. Drawing on experiences from multiple higher education institutions, team members emphasized that the trust-based model at UT San Antonio is both unique and impactful.
“This recognition belongs to everyone who has invested hundreds of hours in this work over the years,” Hardison said. “It’s a privilege to serve alongside such a committed group, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration as UT San Antonio moves forward as an integrated institution.”
