RIT names veteran higher ed finance exec as CFO

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Rochester Institute of Technology has named Christine “Chris” Regis as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 1. Regis joins RIT from Southern Methodist University, where she spent nearly two decades serving as senior vice president for business and finance and CFO. 

Regis brings more than 30 years of experience overseeing financial and administrative operations at both private and public universities. At SMU, she managed a $900 million annual operating budget, supported a $2.2 billion endowment and oversaw more than $1 billion in capital projects. 

“Chris brings the experience, judgment and collaborative leadership that RIT needs as we continue advancing our Strategic Framework and investing in our future,” said Bill Sanders, RIT president. “She understands that strong financial stewardship and operational excellence are not ends in themselves — they are essential enablers for innovation and student success.” 

During her tenure at SMU, Regis led a university-wide administrative efficiency initiative that generated $20 million in recurring savings, which were reinvested into academic and research priorities. Her work also included modernization of financial and administrative systems, strengthening enterprise risk management and cybersecurity efforts, improving campus energy efficiency and maintaining stable credit ratings alongside clean external audits. 

“I am honored to join RIT at such an important moment in its continued transformation,” Regis said. “RIT has a clear sense of purpose, a strong culture of innovation and a deep commitment to student success. I believe financial strategy is most effective when it is transparent, data-driven, and closely aligned with institutional priorities.” 

Regis earned an MBA from Western New Mexico University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from New Mexico State University. A certified public accountant, she has received national recognition for her leadership in higher education finance. 

Regis also has longstanding ties to the Rochester region. Though she moved away as a child, she was born in Rochester and has regularly returned over the years to visit extended family who still live in the area. 

She succeeds Jim Watters, who has served as RIT’s senior vice president and CFO during a period of significant institutional growth and change. Watters will begin a sabbatical in July and assist with work related to the RIT Global Delivery Corporation. 

“I am deeply grateful for Jim’s service, and I know you join me in thanking him for his exemplary leadership,” Sanders said. 

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