Walt Branson

Walter “Walt” Branson joined the University of Redlands in November 2025 as the Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration.   

Branson has over 30 years of experience as a chief financial officer at higher education institutions. He comes to the University of Redlands via The Registry, an organization that includes a membership of strong, vetted, and experienced professionals who serve in short-term positions while a new, permanent leader is found. 

In this role, he oversees many University departments, including Finance, Budget, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Public Safety, Administrative Services, Event Services, and the University Bookstore.  
 
Most recently, Walt served as Interim Chief Financial Officer at Georgetown University Law Center.  His career also includes leadership roles at UC Santa Cruz, Arkansas Tech, and Wright State University, where he managed a $363M campus-wide budget.  Known for his collaborative approach, strategic vision, and transparency, Walt has consistently earned the trust of faculty and staff at the institutions he has served. 

Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration 

The Vice President for Finance and Administration reports to the President and serves on the President’s Cabinet. The vice president provides vision, leadership, strategic direction, management, and support for university operations. This includes advising the President on a wide range of organizational and administrative issues, including the development and implementation of policies and the effective utilization of human, financial, and physical resources.