Announcing the vice provost for academic strategy and budget

Dear colleagues,

Following a thorough internal search, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David Pappone as the University of Minnesota’s inaugural vice provost for academic strategy and budget, effective immediately.

This foundational leadership portfolio was created to forge a direct, permanent connection between academic planning and financial stewardship across our five campuses. We sought a strategic leader capable of interrogating complex financial models while remaining grounded in our academic mission.

Dave brings a rare combination of world-class macro-financial expertise and deep collegiate administrative experience. Prior to his 18-year tenure at the University, most recently as assistant dean for operations and chief financial officer in the College of Science and Engineering, Dave spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., including seven years as a senior analyst for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget and two years in the U.S. Department of Education budget office. Holding a doctorate in education policy and administration with a focus on higher education finance, he pairs theoretical expertise with practical operational insights.
Since stepping into the interim vice provost role in August 2026, he has demonstrated exceptional judgment, quiet confidence and an unwavering commitment to collaborative leadership. As a strategic advisor to my office, campus chancellors and collegiate deans, he balances the rigor needed to navigate our complex budgets with the courage to constructively challenge assumptions and the humility to build consensus through dialogue.

In this role, Dave will lead a strategic framework built around three core principles that power faculty, staff and student success: simplifying processes to reduce administrative friction and make financial insights clear, connecting colleges, campuses and external partners to align resources directly with the goals of Elevate Extraordinary 2030, and amplifying shared strengths to shift from reactive cost-cutting to sustainable institutional growth.

I extend my sincere appreciation to search chair Dean Melinda Pettigrew, the entire search committee and the many colleagues across our campuses who participated in this process.

Please join me in congratulating Dave as he steps into this important leadership role for the University of Minnesota.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Executive Vice President and Provost