Sara Thorndike is the SVP, Finance and Business/Treasurer at Penn State University. Sara has held this position since January 2021.
Previously, Sara was the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance & Chief Financial Officer at East Carolina University from March 2018 to January 2021. Prior to that, they were the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller at the University of North Carolina Wilmington from June 2014 to March 2018.
Sara began their career as a controller and accounting director at The Principia Corporation in March 2005. Sara held this position until May 2014 when they transitioned to the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Sara Thorndike has a Doctor of Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Higher Education Leadership. Sara also has a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University in Business Administration and Management, General. Her undergraduate degree is in Accounting from Franklin University.
Sara Thorndike reports to Eric J. Barron, President. Some of their coworkers include William Sitzabee - Vice President for Facilities Management and Planning, Michael Wade Smith - SVP, Chief of Staff, and Michael J. Büsges - Interim VP, IT & CIO.
Current role