WHM Spotlight: Gloria Arcia

To continue our celebration of Women’s History Month and the remarkable women who help shape the Roger Williams University community, we’re introducing you to Gloria Arcia, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer.

A seasoned financial executive with more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education, Arcia oversees the university’s financial strategy and administrative operations. In this role, she helps guide the institution’s fiscal stewardship while supporting RWU’s academic mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.

Before joining Roger Williams University, Arcia served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the University of the Ozarks, where she led initiatives to strengthen financial planning, operational efficiency, and resource transparency. She previously held leadership roles at Broward College and Barry University, both located in Florida.

Arcia holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Development, a Master of Business Administration from Barry University, and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Florida International University.

Throughout her career, Arcia has focused on strengthening institutions through collaboration, transparency, and a deep commitment to student success.

Fun Facts About Gloria

• Outside of work, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her family – activities that she said help her recharge and maintain balance.
• She was a two-time finalist for the Arkansas Business CFO of the Year in Education award.
• One of her favorite moments in higher education is watching students cross the stage at graduation – a milestone she sees as both the culmination of hard work and the beginning of new possibilities.

In Her Own Words

Tell us about your role at RWU and what leadership looks like in your work.

As Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, I oversee the university’s financial strategy and administrative operations. My role focuses on ensuring that Roger Williams University remains fiscally strong and positioned to support our academic mission and students for generations to come.

Leadership in my work means balancing stewardship with vision. It involves creating systems and processes that allow the institution to make thoughtful, strategic decisions while maintaining transparency and collaboration across the university community. Finance is often perceived as being solely about numbers, but in higher education it is ultimately about people – students, faculty, staff, and the opportunities we create together.

What does it mean to you to be a woman leader at RWU?

It is truly an honor to serve as a woman leader at RWU, especially in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated. I take pride in contributing my perspective and experiences to the leadership of the institution, and I hope that my presence in this role demonstrates to others that leadership in finance and administration is open to anyone who is passionate about making an impact.

I also believe representation matters. When students and early-career professionals see women in senior leadership roles, it helps broaden what they believe is possible for their own futures.

What does “Give to Gain” mean to you and what do you give that helps others gain opportunity?

To me, “Give to Gain” reflects the idea that when we invest our time, knowledge, and support in others, the entire community grows stronger.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues. When people feel empowered with information and confidence, they are able to grow professionally and personally. I also deeply value collaboration – sometimes even a small contribution or perspective can help someone else achieve an important goal, and that collective success is incredibly fulfilling.

Mentorship is also something I cherish. Supporting individuals as they develop their careers and grow as leaders is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back.

Were there specific people who helped shape your path, and how did their influence guide you?

My mother has always been my greatest inspiration. I have always admired her sacrifices, strength, and words of wisdom. She constantly encouraged me to see beyond what I thought my potential was and to pursue opportunities with confidence and determination.

Another person who profoundly shaped my life was Dr. Carter E. Burrus. My journey into higher education began in a very unexpected way. I was sitting at a bus stop after taking a placement test, trying to understand the results, when a man stopped and asked what I was holding. He looked at the paper, invited me into his office, and asked me to bring my transcripts the next day.

After reviewing them, he said, “How does a full scholarship – books and fees included – sound to you in the Honors College?”

Dr. Burrus changed my life forever. He showed me the true purpose of higher education: a student-first philosophy that opens doors and transforms lives. I began as a student worker, later became an advisor and recruiter, and from that moment on I fell in love with higher education.

To this day, watching students graduate remains one of my favorite moments.

What has been one meaningful success in your work with RWU?

One of the most meaningful efforts I have been involved in at RWU is helping lead our ongoing fiscal transformation. While it is still very much a work in progress, we have worked collaboratively with the university community to build a more integrated and transparent budgeting and planning process.

Our goal has been to create a culture where financial decisions are not made in isolation but through collaboration and shared understanding. By institutionalizing transparency and encouraging cross-campus engagement, we are strengthening the university’s ability to plan strategically and sustainably for the future.

When you reflect on the journey that brought you to RWU, what experiences most prepared you for the work you’re doing now?

My career path has been somewhat nontraditional, and I believe that diversity of experience has been one of my greatest strengths. I have served at a variety of institutions – public, private, and faith-based – ranging in size and mission.

I began my career in student services as an academic advisor and recruiter before transitioning into academic administration. Eventually I moved, as I jokingly say, “to the dark side” of finance and business operations – and I never looked back because I discovered how much I enjoyed the strategic side of institutional leadership.

Those experiences helped me understand how financial decisions affect every part of a university and, ultimately, the student experience.

What advice would you offer to students or early-career professionals stepping into leadership?

My advice is simple: listen first. Effective leadership requires calmness and thoughtful consideration. It is important to listen to all perspectives before making decisions rather than reacting too quickly. Leadership is not about making everyone happy – that is impossible. Instead, it is about finding solutions that create the greatest positive impact for the broader community.