NJIT Employees Selected for NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program

Employees in New Jersey Institute of Technology’s finance office were selected to join the Emerging Leaders program of a national organization for the third consecutive year.

This year’s selections are Mohieb Mohsen, bursar in NJIT’s Office of Student Accounts, and Rob Dennis, contract administrator in NJIT’s Office of Procurement Services, both of whom will participate in the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Emerging Leaders Program.

NACUBO is a non-profit organization founded in 1962, representing business officers from 1,700 schools across the country. Their goal for the program is to show university financial managers how to engage in the latest trends, understand the importance of cross-campus relationships, and make the best choices that can ripple across their respective communities. Such training is especially important as NJIT continues to evolve its financial and administrative practices in response to emerging needs and challenges.

Mohieb Mohsen
Mohsen, who leads NJIT’s Office of Student Accounts, plays a critical role in supporting students and their families through the financial aspects of their education. “The Bursar’s office provides essential information to service students and their families in all matters of their financial account,” he said.

Like many in higher education finance, Mohsen faces a balancing act. “Some of the current challenges include balancing affordability and revenue compliance with financial aid and regulatory policies, managing delinquent accounts, and maintaining cash flow,” he explained.

For Mohsen, joining the NACUBO program is an opportunity to enhance his leadership capabilities. “The NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program offers an enriching environment to cultivate leadership skills, gain deeper insights into financial management, and develop strategies to handle the challenges faced by higher education,” he said. “By enhancing your leadership abilities, improving your strategic thinking, and expanding your professional network, the program helps you grow into a more effective leader who can navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.”

Mohsen views the program as a chance to better understand the evolving nature of higher education finance. “With rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts, and economic fluctuations influencing the higher education sector, finance professionals are compelled to adapt and innovate in response to emerging trends and challenges,” he said. “This program will provide me with the tools to do just that.”

Reflecting on how the cohort experience will shape his approach to leadership, Mohsen sees NACUBO as a transformative influence. “By fostering collaboration, encouraging diverse perspectives, and focusing on strategic, people-centered leadership, the program will help me become a more effective, adaptive, and forward-thinking leader,” he shared. “By immersing myself in this dynamic program environment, I aspire to refine my expertise, expand my professional network, and stay abreast of industry best practices, thereby positioning myself as a trusted advisor and change agent within NJIT.”

Rob Dennis
Dennis joined NJIT in a position designed to streamline the university’s contracting process and ensure compliance with institutional policies. “The key responsibility of my contract administration role is to ensure that the University’s agreements with suppliers for goods and services comply with established policies and regulations,” he explained. “Related responsibilities include overseeing the entire contracting process, from initiation to execution, and I’ve also developed a centralized contract management system in close coordination with IST and the Office of General Counsel.”

One of the challenges Dennis faces is managing the wide variety of contracting needs typical in higher education. “It often involves high volumes and varying complexities,” he said. His work requires balancing multiple stakeholders and projects while ensuring each contract adheres to the necessary standards.

By joining the NACUBO program, Dennis hopes to sharpen his leadership skills and broaden his understanding of higher education finance. “I am hoping that NACUBO's Emerging Leaders Program will provide me with a comprehensive set of tools tailored to my current role at NJIT and future career aspirations,” he shared. “I anticipate this program will help strengthen my leadership abilities, including communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.”

While Dennis’s career has largely focused on procurement, he recognizes the strong financial components tied to his role. “There are significant financial aspects and impacts of strategic sourcing and contracting,” he said. “Through NACUBO’s program, I hope to gain broader insights into the inner workings and impact of higher education finance and business services. Understanding the complexities of financial management, budgeting, compliance, and other critical functions within this context can enhance my effectiveness as a manager and strategic thinker.”

Dennis believes that NACUBO's Emerging Leaders Program will play a significant role in preparing him for future leadership positions. “I envision that NACUBO's Emerging Leaders Program will offer a holistic approach to professional development, combining leadership training, industry insights and networking opportunities to empower managers or aspiring-managers like myself to learn and prepare for future leadership positions within the higher education sector.”