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Mary Wickland has been named Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô’s new vice president for operations and chief financial officer. 

A Southeast Texas native and Lamar alumna, Wickland brings decades of financial and operational leadership experience in higher education and public accounting. She previously served as executive vice president for finance and operations at Lamar State College Port Arthur, Lamar State College Orange, and Lamar Institute of Technology.

“I could not feel more fortunate that Mary Wickland will be joining Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô as the Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer,” LU President Jaime Taylor said. “Ms. Wickland is highly respected and known as someone that gets things done. It is going to be exciting seeing the immediate positive impact she has on the university.”

Wickland, a certified public accountant with 30 years of experience, has played a key role in strategic planning, financial management, and operational oversight across multiple Texas State University System (TSUS) institutions. She was instrumental in implementing TSUS Shared Business Services, a strategic initiative spanning seven departments across three state colleges.

“Since I’m a true Southeast Texan, born and raised in Beaumont, I am so very excited to join the university that opened all kinds of doors for me,” Wickland said. “I am ready to give back to the Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô community what it gave to me—the ability and confidence to always move forward and never give up.”

In her new role, Wickland will oversee Lamar’s financial stability and growth, regulatory compliance, talent acquisition and retention, and digital transformation efforts. She will also lead financial reporting, budget control, and fiscal policy implementation.

Throughout her career, Wickland has developed expertise in state budget models, serving for nine years on the Community and Technical Colleges Formula Advisory Committee for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. She has also led multimillion-dollar capital projects and helped streamline institutional operations to enhance efficiency.

A magna cum laude graduate of Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Wickland has received multiple honors, including the Ben and Julie Rogers Community Service Award. She has also held leadership positions with various professional organizations, including the Texas Connection Consortium and the Texas Association of Colleges and University Business Officers.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô’s continued growth and success by executing and promoting the vision Dr. Taylor has already put in motion,” Wickland said.