Trent Grocock, associate vice president for financial planning and analysis at the University of Notre Dame, has been appointed the University’s vice president for finance, effective June 10. He succeeds Shannon Cullinan, who made the appointment as Notre Dame’s incoming executive vice president.
“Trent is a widely respected leader with an extraordinary commitment to stewarding the University’s resources,” Cullinan said. “His forward-looking mindset, collaborative approach and commitment to Notre Dame’s mission make him an ideal person for this important leadership role.”
As the vice president for finance, Grocock will direct the offices of the Controller, Treasury Services, Budget, Procurement Services, Financial Planning and Analysis, and the Northeast Neighborhood Redevelopment. His responsibilities will include oversight of University budgets, capital planning, treasury management, procurement, real estate acquisitions and development, financial reporting and analysis, accounting and financial services, the tax department, research and sponsored programs accounting, payroll and accounts payable.
“As stewards of the resources at Our Lady’s University, the finance division has a long legacy of wise and visionary fiscal management which can be attributed to the division’s dedicated employees and the strong leadership of Scott Malpass, John Sejdinaj and Shannon Cullinan,” Grocock said. “I am humbled and honored to be appointed to this role and afforded the opportunity to work with such a talented group of individuals. I look forward to the team building upon the financial foundation that has been established by our predecessors.”
A graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Grocock returned to his alma mater in 2001 as a senior financial analyst. While serving in various positions of increasing responsibility, he has played a leading role in numerous financial and operational projects, including the Advancing Our Vision savings initiative, Campus Crossroads financial model, development funding strategy and a nine-month assignment co-leading the Information Technology division.
In addition, Grocock coordinated the University’s first integrated planning project in which strategic priorities were aligned with financial resources in Notre Dame International, resulting in an increase in the number of students studying abroad. He also collaborated with Human Resources in investigating, benchmarking and launching the employee wellness center and pharmacy on campus.
Grocock’s work was recognized in 2015 with a Presidential Leadership Award for servant leadership, and in 2017 he was one of 16 people selected to participate in the University’s inaugural Executive Leadership Program. An active member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Grocock is a 2012 higher education fellow as designated by Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and has taught in Notre Dame’s Moreau First Year Experience.
Prior to his return to Notre Dame, Grocock served in finance positions with MCI Communications and GE Capital. He has been a member of the LOGAN board of directors since 2012 and was board chair from 2016 to 2018. He also serves on the Rink Foundation Board, a local scholarship foundation that awards funds to deserving students, and is a parishioner at St. Pius X Catholic Church.