Last summer, Fordham University hired Joshua Burgher as the new vice president of Finance. Burgher has worked in higher education since 2007 at Columbia University, Georgetown University, and Golden Gate University, and was most recently the chief financial officer of The New School.
“I feel these experiences have given me a unique perspective on and respect for the many facets of the university as we work collaboratively to achieve the university’s mission in a financially sustainable way,” he said.
Burgher succeeds Nicholas Milowski, who served as vice president of Finance and assistant treasurer from 2015-23.
Burgher holds master’s degrees from Columbia and Colorado School of Mines, as well as a bachelor’s from Purdue University.
He is currently finalizing his doctorate, “Enhancing Social, Environmental, and Economic Impact Efforts In and Through Universities,” at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. Before entering higher education, he worked as a management consultant at Ernst & Young, focusing on finance and performance management, as well as at a software startup.
In his role at Fordham, Burgher will be handling financial planning and analysis, accounting and financial reporting, treasury operations, cash management and financing, payroll, strategic sourcing and accounts payable.
“The mission of Fordham is aligned closely with my personal mission. The focus of this role is as a partner, working across the university to support investments in students, faculty, instruction and research,” said Burgher. “Helping to realize this mission is especially exciting.”
This year, Fordham is set to release the draft of its new 2030 strategic plan. Later this semester, the university will continue to host listening sessions throughout the year with students and staff to hear feedback on the plan.
“I am excited to be joining Fordham during such an exciting phase in its history and during the development of the next strategic plan,” said Burgher. “The envisioning work being completed this year will set the stage for years to come.”
As the VP of Finance, Burgher’s job doesn’t include much interaction with students, but he hopes to keep his door open anyway.
“I would like students to know that we are here to support them and specifically, their formation, development and success. I am always available to meet with students and assist them in any way that I can,” he said.
As his first year kicks off, Burgher hopes to get to know the campus and build relationships across Fordham.
