Carla L. Hoʻā
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer
Carla Hoʻā was appointed as the new Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oregon State University on September 3, 2024. She provides leadership, oversight, and stewardship of the university’s $1.6 billion annual budget and most of its administrative operations and services. In partnership with Executive Vice President and Provost Ed Feser, Vice President Hoʻā ensures that OSU’s financial resources and administrative and physical infrastructure are closely aligned with its mission as a leading land grant research university with a focus on inclusive excellence and the deep integration of research, teaching, and engagement.
With over three decades of experience in higher education finance, Carla oversees nearly 700 employees across ten distinct units, including budget and fiscal planning, accounting and treasury operations, enterprise project management, capital planning and construction, facilities maintenance, transportation, environmental health and safety, procurement and contracting, and public safety. She leads the Division of Finance and Administration in advancing four main strategic priorities in support of OSU’s Prosperity Widely Shared strategic plan: advancing a safe and inclusive environment, modernizing administrative processes, modernizing infrastructure across the university’s locations, and becoming an employer of choice in Oregon.
In her role as vice president, Carla reports directly to President Jayathi Murthy and serves as a key advisor and member of the President’s Cabinet. Vice President Hoʻā is committed to supporting the implementation of OSU’s strategic plan, advancing President Murthy’s agenda, and advocating for OSU’s interests among colleagues across the State of Oregon and the nation. She serves as an ex officio member of the OSU Board of Trustees’ Finance and Administration Committee, working closely with the committee’s chair. She actively participates as part of the Oregon public universities’ council of vice presidents.
About Carla Hoʻā
Carla Hoʻā is a seasoned leader in higher education, recognized for her strategic, mission-oriented approach. She has a proven track record in resource strategy creation, developing fiscal resilience, and leading transformative initiatives that support organizational success. Known for her collaborative style, Carla fosters innovation and builds resilient operational frameworks.
Most recently, Carla served as the Interim Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Administration and Finance at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she oversaw the university’s Division of Administration and Finance, ensuring alignment of financial, human, and physical resources with the institution’s strategic goals. Prior to this, she was the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, providing executive leadership, policy formulation, operational management, and oversight of the administrative organization.
During her nearly decade-long tenure at the University of Colorado Boulder, Carla was instrumental in developing and implementing long-term financial strategies, fostering a culture of transparency, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Her leadership saw the creation of a dynamic long-range financial model, a budget model redesign, and the successful Financial Futures initiative, significantly boosting the university’s mission-based impact.
Carla’s earlier career includes key roles at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado Community College System, and University of Colorado Denver and Health Sciences Center, where she honed her expertise in budget, finance, and administrative leadership.
Her leadership is marked by her ability to navigate challenging circumstances and transformational change through clear communication and authentic relationship-building. She has consistently championed financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, leadership development, and inclusive practices.
Carla’s strategic vision and fiscal acumen have led to the successful management of large-scale capital projects, improved transparency in capital planning, and enhanced student affordability initiatives. Her efforts have directly contributed to increased enrollment and graduation rates, as well as reduced student costs. A first-generation college graduate, Carla earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, both from the University of Colorado Denver.
Contact Executive Assistant to the VPFA, Andrea McDaniel, to schedule an appointment, request a signature or provide input.