Hendrix Names Karen Tumlinson VP for Finance & Operations & CFO (Super Mover)

Karen Tumlinson will oversee Hendrix College’s accounting, budgeting and finance. (Provided)

Karen Tumlinson has been appointed as the next vice president for finance and operations and chief financial officer at Hendrix College in Conway. In her position, which she begins in August, Tumlinson will oversee the college’s accounting, budgeting and finance. “Her innovative spirit and proven success in managing complex systems and driving institutional transformation will be an asset to our team,” said Hendrix College President Karen Petersen in a news release announcing Tumlinson’s appointment. “I am thrilled to welcome her to Hendrix and look forward to the strength and vision she brings to this pivotal role.”

Tumlinson is coming to Hendrix from Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she served as vice president of finance and administration and treasurer. During her three years there, she led efforts to restructure the college’s financial operations, which included introducing zero-based budgeting, a new enterprise resource planning system and a market-driven, open staffing model. Prior to Central College, she held financial leadership positions at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas; Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas; and the University of Arizona in Tucson. Her experience includes developing student programs and refining financial operations through new budgeting systems.

Tumlinson has received a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in business and advanced data analytics, a bachelor’s degree in business and three associate degrees in accounting, business and computer programming. Additionally, she has studied accounting, law and public administration through graduate coursework.