Two open forums were held last week presenting candidates for the position of vice president for administration and finance.
The forums invited IUP employees and students to sit in, ask questions and hear about the candidates’ plans and goals for IUP.
The vice president for administration and finance at IUP is responsible for creating fiscal and administrative strategies, ensuring that the university is financially stable and overseeing certain operations that support IUP’s mission.
The position, previously held by Derba Fitzsimons, is currently being filled by Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance Larry Wakefield.
Wakefield took the position as interim vice president for administration and finance on March 24, 2025.
Wakefield said, “I am excited about joining the excellent team that President Driscoll has brought together and helping to continue IUP’s financial stabilization while supporting its vital mission.”
Months later, IUP is nearly set on a permanent vice president, inviting interested candidates to come and discuss what they want to do for IUP with the students and employees.
Originally, four open forums were scheduled, however two candidates withdrew from the search process throughout the week. Only two forums were held.
The forums took place on Monday and Thursday from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., with most of the attendees being IUP employees.
The first candidate, Patrick Shirdon, spoke on Monday, Nov. 10, in the HUB Susquehanna Room to share his ideas and plans for IUP’s finance and administration.
Gaining experience about financial and administrative roles since 1992, Shirdon’s professional summary, which can be found at iup.edu, said that he is “seeking to apply deep expertise in financial stewardship and operational excellence to advance the institutional priorities of a premiere research university.”
Shirdon has been currently employed at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) since August of this year as the vice president and chief financial officer, where he “provide[s] leadership in fiscal integrity, sustainability and strategic alignment with the institution’s mission.”
At his current job, Shirdon oversees financial operations, such as fiscal planning and grants administration.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, Peter Holden spoke at a forum about his plans and goals for IUP as the vice president for administration and finance.
Holden has been serving as a chief financial officer of the Williston Northampton School administration since 2023, where he is responsible for all financial, operational and personnel operations within the school.
One of Holden’s main points at the forum was that there is a “blank canvas” to work with at IUP.
“We can’t solve every problem overnight, but we have a blank canvas,” said Holden, using a blank whiteboard as an example. “There are no restrictions. What do we want to do? Tell me your ideas.”
Holden hopes to use this position to start building solutions to problems regarding administration and finance of IUP and create beneficial plans and “success stories.”
Students and IUP employees had the opportunity to answer a survey at the end of the week to decide which candidate would be the best fit for the role of vice president for administration and finance.
The candidate selected for the role of the permanent vice president for administration will be joining the IUP community in January.