Business Finance

Business and Finance supports the University through innovative thought and leadership, collaboratively promoting the best interests of the University, influencing cultural change, and being effective stewards of resources by providing high quality services.

Leadership and Offices

The Business and Finance offices report directly to Christine Regis, Vice President for Business and Finance and Treasurer.

Human Resources

Sheri Starkey, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

Office of Budgets and Finance

Ernie Barry, Associate Vice President for Budgets and Finance

Office of Facilities Planning and Management

Michael Molina, Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Management and University Architect

Campus Services

Alison Tweedy, Associate Vice President of Campus Services

Office of Risk Management

Leigh Ann Moffett, Associate Vice President and Chief Risk Officer

Campus Police

Jim Walters, Chief of Police

Contracts Administration

Melanie Bailey, Senior Contracts Administrator

Vice President for Business and Finance and Treasurer of the University

Christine Casey

Christine (Chris) Regis serves as the University’s chief business and financial officer.

Through supervision of seven direct reports, the vice president oversees a wide range of administrative functions supporting the University’s academic mission.

The Vice President oversees and is accountable for the Budgets and Finance Office, Human Resources, Campus Services, Facilities Planning and Management, SMU Police Department, Risk Management, and Contracts Administration.

Chris joined SMU in September 2007 from the University of California system, where she served as Assistant Vice President for Administrative Services for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Division since July 2005. Prior to her position at the University of California, she served for 12 years at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) as Vice President for Business and Administration. She is a certified public accountant, earned a B.S. degree in accounting from New Mexico State University, and an M.B.A. degree from WNMU.

Chris’ involvement in community and professional organizations include service as a Children’s Medical Center of Dallas Operating Division Associates Board member, National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) member, and previous service as a United Way Volunteer as a Community Impact Grant Panelist.

Chris was a 2021 Outstanding CFO finalist for the D Magazine CEO Financial Executive Awards and was a 2018 recipient of the Texas Diversity Council Most Powerful and Influential Women of Texas Award. 

She is a past member of the Hansen Agricultural Center Advisory Board, Rotary Club of Silver City, Business and Professional Women, Optimist Club of Silver City, and ex-officio member of the WNMU Foundation. She was the Young Careerist for the State of New Mexico and is a Paul Harris Fellow.


For information about this website, contact
Lisa Palacioz, Assistant to the Vice President for Business and Finance and Treasurer, via phone (214) 768-1178 or via email palacioz@smu.edu.