Zamora named Outstanding Chief Business Officer by leading organization
PASADENA, Texas — Teri Zamora, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs at San Jacinto College, has been named the 2023 Outstanding Chief Business Officer by the Community College Business Officers (CCBO) organization.
The Outstanding Chief Business Officer Award honors a senior member of the executive team, reporting directly to the college president, who acts as the chief financial officer, and displays distinguished service to their institution and community. The winners are nominated and chosen by their peers. Zamora was nominated by all 11 of her direct reports, and received letters of support from San Jacinto College Deputy Chancellor and College President Dr. Laurel Williamson, and her former supervisor and Houston Community College Chancellor, Dr. Cesar Maldonado.
I am deeply honored to receive the Chief Business Officer Award from the Community College Business Officers organization. Our commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability at San Jacinto College is of utmost importance, and it takes our entire team and all of our employees to ensure that happens. I sincerely appreciate my leadership team for nominating me for this award and thank the CCBO Board for selecting me.
Zamora was nominated by her team for her “commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic fiscal management.” The nomination went on to note that her “expertise and keen insights have helped us to navigate complex budgetary challenges while effectively supporting College operations. Her meticulous attention to detail and ethical approach to all challenges have earned the respect and admiration of colleagues across the institution and the broader community college universe.”
Aside from the everyday duties she performs at San Jacinto College, Zamora has devoted significant time to supporting statewide higher education organizations. She is a past president of the Texas Association of Community College Business Officers, and served for many years on the Community College Constituency Council of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. She has also devoted time to the Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference, and she serves on various statewide committees and boards.
Zamora’s input was essential during the 88th Texas Legislative session, when state leaders were developing and debating House Bill 8 (HB8), the community college funding model that tied funding to measurable student outcomes to $683 million in new funding for Texas community colleges. Zamora represents San Jacinto College at the state level on a standing advisory committee tasked with studying and providing counsel and recommendations regarding funding formulas, administration and other components of the Public Junior College Finance Program established by HB8.
“Teri is involved in all aspects of the College community and often brings forward suggestions that address issues as they are emerging,” said Williamson. “Her efforts to promote fiscal understanding among all stakeholders and to provide proactive support are a true departure from what we have experienced in the past; and I credit her approach with accelerating some of the innovative efforts that distinguish San Jacinto from most of our peers.”
Maldonado said in his letter of support that, “After more than two decades of my own community college leadership experience, I can truly state that I have never encountered a more capable, even-tempered, trustworthy, and valuable employee than Mrs. Zamora. It is my belief that she embodies all the characteristics of an exemplary Business Officer.”
Zamora has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in higher education. At San Jacinto College, she oversees facilities services, contracts and purchasing, safety and risk management. accounting and financial services, the police department, construction, internal audit, auxiliary services, grants, and emergency management. She holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Texas – Pan American.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute, and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
