Lillian Wanjagi

Executive Vice President Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Southern Connecticut State University

Dr. Lillian Wanjagi is the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Southern Connecticut State University, where she provides executive leadership for the university’s financial and administrative operations. Her portfolio includes finance, budget, human resources, facilities, procurement, technology, public safety, and other core administrative functions that support institutional strategy and student success.

A seasoned higher education executive, Dr. Wanjagi has extensive experience leading complex organizations, aligning financial strategy with institutional priorities, and driving operational transformation. She has overseen major capital initiatives, strengthened financial governance and risk management practices, and led enterprise technology implementations that improve efficiency and decision-making across the institution.

Prior to Southern Connecticut State University, Dr. Wanjagi served in senior leadership roles at Fayetteville State University, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Houston, and Rice University. She brings deep expertise in strategic financial planning, capital project oversight, and operational excellence in higher education.

Dr. Wanjagi holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Houston, an MBA from Gardner-Webb University, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wingate University.