LEWISTON, Idaho –– Julie Crea, a 21-year employee of Lewis-Clark State College, has been named vice president for finance and administration at the institution, LC State President Cynthia Pemberton announced Monday.
Crea was named one of three finalists for the position last month. The vice president position has been open since December when Todd Kilburn left to become the chief financial officer for the Idaho State Board of Education in Boise. The search for the position started last winter but then was put on hold in the spring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The position reports to President Pemberton and serves as the chief financial officer for the college, directing financial strategies, analyses forecasting, and financial operations.
“Dr. Crea rose to the top of a narrowed field of three strong finalists,” President Pemberton said. “Her knowledge, skills and expertise, along with her can-do attitude and abilities make her the right choice at the right time for LC State. I am very much looking forward to our continued work together, and have every confidence Dr. Crea will rise to the challenges associated with this next level of leadership on behalf of LC State.”
Crea will oversee the following areas: the budget office, controller’s office, human resources, physical plant, purchasing, risk management and auxiliary services associated with the Bookstore, Kinder College and the Tennis Center.
“I am extremely excited for this new opportunity and to continue working with such a great Administrative Services team,” Crea said. “I am honored that the LC community has chosen me for this position and I look forward to supporting the success of our institution in this new role.”
Crea has climbed the ranks during her LC career. She started out as a customer service representative for Workforce Training in 1999 and then spent four years as an administrative assistant and helpdesk supervisor in the IT department. After a year as an administrative assistant in Administrative Services, she became the director of the Student Union Building as well as for events and campus card services and worked there for 10 years. She then took over as director of administrative auxiliary services, and in 2017, was named senior director for budget and financial planning.
Crea earned Presidential Honors while achieving her Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management at LC in 1999 and then earned summa cum laude honors in receiving her bachelor’s in Psychology in 2004. She earned her MPA in 2008 and Ph.D. in Political Science in 2018, both from the University of Idaho. Her dissertation was on “Ethical Transformational Leadership in Public Administration.”
Crea began her new position on Monday.