Stronger Together: How CFO-CIO Collaboration Drives Institutional Resilience

Today’s CFOs and CIOs face mounting pressure to lead institutional transformation amidst economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and evolving student expectations. The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and EDUCAUSE have each released their respective lists of top issues keeping higher ed leaders up at night—and while their perspectives differ, the overlap is striking. 

What these overlapping challenges reveal is not only a shared sense of urgency but also an emerging opportunity: the chance for CFOs and CIOs to join forces as strategic partners to drive change. And they don’t have to do it alone. 

CampusWorks, a trusted partner to colleges and universities for more than two decades, is uniquely positioned to help institutions tackle these critical issues—many of which fall squarely at the intersection of finance and technology. 

Aligning Around the Same Goals 

Let’s take a closer look at the overlapping themes from NACUBO and EDUCAUSE: 

This convergence shows that the challenges are not isolated to a single division—they are systemic. Success requires institutional alignment, and that alignment begins with a strong CFO-CIO partnership. 

The Power of a Strategic CFO-CIO Alliance 

Higher ed institutions can no longer afford to treat financial strategy and technology strategy as parallel efforts. The most effective leaders are those who approach them as deeply interwoven. When the CFO and CIO operate in lockstep, they create a powerful force for institutional resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth. 

• The CFO brings fiscal discipline, resource planning, and a deep understanding of institutional economics. 

• The CIO brings technological vision, data strategy, and insight into how systems can support (or hinder) operations and student outcomes. 

Together, they can answer tough questions: 

• Where should we invest for maximum impact? 

• How can we use data to inform decisions, improve equity, and demonstrate ROI? 

• What technology can reduce costs while improving service? 

• How can we ensure staff are supported, not overwhelmed, by digital transformation? 

This partnership becomes even more critical when you consider the dual pressures outlined by NACUBO and EDUCAUSE: the need to modernize systems and processes while also navigating labor shortages, regulatory change, and shifting enrollment patterns. 

How CampusWorks Bridges the Divide 

CampusWorks exists to help institutions overcome exactly these challenges by serving as a connector across silos—especially finance and IT. Here’s how we help colleges and universities build momentum across the five major areas where NACUBO and EDUCAUSE overlap: 

1. Empowering the Workforce and Managing Change

Institutions are facing workforce fatigue, talent gaps, and complex regulatory changes. EDUCAUSE’s call to “put people first” and NACUBO’s focus on supporting the workforce both underscore this reality. 

CampusWorks helps institutions: 

• Optimize HR and payroll systems for compliance and efficiency, particularly with evolving DOL regulations. 
• Fill leadership gaps through interim CIOs and functional area leaders who stabilize operations during times of change and expand capacity with on-demand access to specialized skillsets. 
• Manage technology transitions with project leadership that reduces the burden on internal teams and accelerates time to impact. 

CFOs ensure the institution can afford to retain and attract top talent. CIOs ensure they have the tools and systems to thrive. CampusWorks ensures both happen. 

2. Focusing on Student Outcomes with Data-Driven Precision

Today’s students expect personalized, seamless experiences. Meanwhile, governing bodies and the public demand proof of outcomes. 

CampusWorks’ CampusLens platform provides actionable insights that help institutions inform strategic decisions with predictive analytics. 

We also support process optimization and ERP/SIS modernization that aligns student services—from financial aid to academic advising—with student needs. 

The CIO brings the data strategy; the CFO ensures it supports ROI. CampusWorks makes the data meaningful, actionable, and human-centered. 

3. Modernizing Technology to Build a Sustainable Future

Outdated systems, disjointed platforms, and cybersecurity risks are barriers to transformation. 

CampusWorks provides: 

• ERP/SIS modernization to migrate from legacy systems to cloud-based platforms 
• Application managed services and staff on-demand to stabilize and support operations without ballooning headcount 
• IT assessments that map current-state risks and recommend future-ready solutions 

CIOs gain system reliability; CFOs gain predictability in cost and performance. CampusWorks brings the roadmap and the bench strength to get there. 

4. Addressing Affordability and Operational Efficiency

As institutions wrestle with FAFSA simplification, changing enrollment, and rising costs, the pressure to do more with less intensifies. 

CampusWorks helps by: 

• Streamlining financial aid operations to reduce errors, improve aid distribution, and enhance student affordability 
• Redesigning administrative processes to eliminate inefficiencies and free up capacity
• Introducing AI-enabled tools that improve decision-making and reduce manual work 

The CFO is tasked with financial sustainability. The CIO is tasked with digital transformation. CampusWorks helps both deliver results faster, better, and cheaper. 

5. Planning for Institutional Resilience

From aging infrastructure to legislative uncertainty, resilience is the new imperative. But it takes a cross-functional view. 

CampusWorks supports resilience with: 

• Strategic planning that aligns physical infrastructure, academic priorities, and budget realities 
• IT assessments that uncover risk and recommend safeguards 
• Interim leadership and backfill staff to ensure continuity during key transitions. 
• Project management to ensure accountability and adoption during critical technology modernization initiatives. 

CFOs and CIOs are the stewards of institutional risk. CampusWorks helps them anticipate and adapt. 

Making the Most of the Moment

If your institution is grappling with the same issues outlined by NACUBO and EDUCAUSE—and chances are, you are—then now is the time to rethink how you collaborate. The future doesn’t belong to the institution with the most data or the biggest budget. It belongs to those who can build cross-functional strategies that are bold, informed, and people-centered. 

CampusWorks stands ready to be your strategic partner. Whether you’re navigating a system overhaul, filling leadership gaps, improving student outcomes, or preparing for an uncertain future, we bring the experience, perspective, and people to help you get there—together. 

Let’s turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s competitive advantage.