Henry Ford Community College Appoints New Financial Services VP

Submitted by Gary Erwin

Henry Ford Community College recently appointed John S. Satkowski as vice president of financial services. He officially joined the college on July 16.

Satkowski brings more than 36 years of experience in various upper management positions in the private sector and higher education. He and his family live in southeast Michigan.

Dr. Stan Jensen, president of HFCC, believes Satkowski’s appointment is an important step forward for the college, which is working to close a $16.6 million deficit in the 2013-2014 academic year.

“John brings a tremendous wealth of experience to his position, and truly cares for the students and people he works with,” Jensen said. “He has an exceptional reputation in the financial services industry and the college will benefit greatly from his expertise for many years."

Satkowski said the move to HFCC felt like a great fit at the right time in his career.

“I am very happy to be at HFCC,” he said, adding that the college “has enjoyed an exceptional reputation in the higher education industry.

"HFCC’s brand of education is perhaps one of the best among community colleges," Satkowski said.

In this role, Satkowski reports to Jensen and oversees all financial activities and functions at the college.

A 22-year veteran of higher education, Satkowski has worked for the Medical College of Ohio (now the University of Toledo Medical Center) for nine years, the University of Toledo for seven years and Owens Community College in Toledo for six years. During his time in higher education, he has held various positions, including budget director, associate vice president for academic finances and executive vice president of finance and operations.

Prior to his career in higher education, Satkowski worked in the private sector for 15 years at Arthur Andersen & Company, and later at Ernst & Young. He specialized in information technology system design and implementation and rose to the position of senior manager, developing and coordinating the mid-range computer consulting practice in Detroit.

His duties included meeting with middle and upper management in presenting options for improving operations through the use of computer systems.

Satkowski earned his undergraduate degree in business from the University of Michigan, a graduate degree in accounting from the University of Toledo and a juris doctorate in law with certification in labor law and negotiations from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Some of his short- and long-term goals at HFCC include the development of an integrated, transparent budgeting process; working with greater numbers of faculty and staff to aid in building an appropriate college budget; and ensuring that all budgeting and financial operations support student services and college operations.