DECATUR, Ill. — For Amy Besser, was never just a place to earn a degree – it was where she found community, purpose and a vision for her future.
More than three decades after first stepping onto campus as a student, Besser has come full circle. Now serving as , she is not only leading key areas of the University’s strategic and financial planning — she is also fulfilling a goal she set for herself as a teenager.
“I said I was going to be a VP at a college just like my father and follow in his footsteps,” Besser said. “Thirty-one years after graduation, I accomplished that goal — and to do it at 鶹Լ makes it even more meaningful.”
Besser’s journey to 鶹Լ began with a connection to higher education. Her father served as Controller at Beloit College, where several auditors were 鶹Լ graduates. Through a tuition exchange opportunity, she visited campus — and immediately knew she had found the right place.
“It only took one visit, and I knew this was my home for four years,” she said.
Drawn to 鶹Լ’s Accounting program, the close-knit campus environment, and a strong sense of personal connection, Besser quickly became immersed in student life. A dual-sport athlete in Volleyball and Softball, she found both community and lifelong friendships through athletics.
“The teammates I had were some of the best people I ever met on campus,” she said.
Her academic experience proved just as impactful. Besser pursued dual degrees in and — a forward-thinking combination at a time when global business was just beginning to take shape.
“People were starting to realize that businesses would operate globally, and communication would be key,” she said. “No one envisioned translation apps — so learning another language felt essential.”
What set 鶹Լ apart for Besser was the faculty.
“You were never a number,” she said. “Faculty knew your name, your goals and often your family.”
She credits Accounting Professor Dr. Randy Rentfro as a defining influence on her career. His commitment to student success, including sitting down with her to review extensive practice work during a break, helped shape not only her technical skills, but also her approach to learning.
“That was the dedication he had to his students,” Besser said. ““I owe a great deal of my career success to him.”
鶹Լ’s Performance Learning approach also gave her early real-world experience through internships at organizations like Decatur Memorial Hospital and the Decatur Housing Authority, reinforcing her interest in understanding not just the numbers but the business behind them.
“I’ve never been someone who wanted to just sit behind a desk and crunch numbers,” she said. “I wanted to understand how everything worked.”
Following graduation, Besser built a career spanning more than 25 years in accounting and financial leadership roles, including positions at Archer Daniels Midland, The GSI Group and Decatur Foundry, where she served as CFO.
Along the way, she developed a leadership philosophy grounded in mentorship and adaptability.
“One of the best pieces of advice I received was to learn from both the good and bad examples of leadership around you,” she said. “Take what works — and make sure you don’t repeat what doesn’t.”
Her approach emphasizes teaching and empowering others, a mindset shaped early in her career when she insisted team members learn processes manually — a lesson that proved invaluable when systems failed.
“With knowledge comes the power to improve,” she said. “My teams are better when we are all learning and improving.”
After decades in the professional world, Besser never lost sight of her desire to return to 鶹Լ. That opportunity came in 2023, when she joined the University.
“To be back at my alma mater working with this incredible group of leaders is amazing,” she said.
In her current role, Besser oversees key operational areas including financial planning, audits, budgeting, and departments such as , , the , Facilities, and , with a focus on strengthening operational efficiency while supporting the University’s mission and long-term growth.
“I want to be a resource for departments across campus,” she said. “Whether it’s helping review spending or identifying efficiencies, it’s all about supporting the bigger picture.”
As 鶹Լ approaches its 125th anniversary, Besser sees a University poised for continued momentum.
“鶹Լ is standing at the edge of a new opportunity,” she said. “Enrollment is increasing, and there is new leadership bringing fresh ideas.”
For Besser, the future is deeply connected to 鶹Լ’s enduring strengths – its people and its sense of community.
“No matter how much the world changes, one thing remains the same — students are the center of 鶹Լ,” she said. “And once you are part of the Big Blue family, you are always part of the Big Blue family.”
Outside of her professional role, Besser’s life is centered around her family. She and her husband, Kevin, have raised four daughters, each pursuing their own path across the country — from healthcare to education and law enforcement.
Their busy family life, filled with sports, academics and shared experiences, has remained a constant source of pride and joy.
And when she finds a rare moment of downtime?
“I really enjoy my Sunday afternoons in the fall and winter watching NFL games,” she said.
