Impressed by campus community’s resilience, buoyed by an unshakable resolve
By Fred Sgambati (’83, ’85)
Meet Acadia’s VP Finance and Administration, Erin Beaudin
Erin Beaudin started working as Acadia University’s Vice-President, Finance and Administration, and Chief Financial Officer on January 22, 2024. To say that the last two years have been instructive and eventful would be an understatement, but Erin has approached the many challenges and opportunities with thoughtfulness and equanimity, seeking solutions amidst unrelenting cultural and academic upheaval on campus, particularly over the last 18 months.
Her portfolio is substantial and includes responsibility for facilities management, financial services, safety and security, technology services (IT), varsity athletics, event services, and human resources. A graduate of Mount Allison University, her professional experiences in municipal government as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of Wolfville (2014 to 2024), CAO for the Municipality of the District of Chester (2009-2014), and Executive Director of the Kings Regional Development Agency (2005-2009), plus Master’s degrees in Economic Development and Public Administration from Waterloo and University of Victoria respectively, have honed an ability to manage complex portfolios efficiently and parse information collaboratively to help inform the University’s decision-making process and direction.
Her time in Wolfville as CAO forged a myriad of on-campus contacts and when the VP role opened up due to a retirement, Erin felt quite comfortable tossing her hat in the ring.
“I’m not an accountant, which is atypical for this role,” she says, “but with my educational background and experiences as a CAO I’ve developed financial leadership skills on the job, and felt like I was well aligned to be successful on that front.”
Another factor in her decision arose while attending Dr. Jeff Hennessy’s (’99) on-campus talk to the Acadia community when he was being considered for the position of University President. “It really spoke to me,” Erin says. “His vision resonated, and I thought he was someone I would love to support.”
From left to right: Scott Duguay, Vice-President, Student Experience; Erin Beaudin, Vice-President, Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer; Nancy Handrigan (’92), Vice-President, External Relations; Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo, Provost and Vice-President, Academic; Dr. Jeff Hennessy (’99), President and Vice-Chancellor
Sudden shift
On the day Erin started at Acadia, the Canadian government announced a temporary two-year intake cap on new international student permits, resulting in enrolment decreases, budget shortfalls, and forcing universities to explore staff reductions to reduce operating costs.
The Nova Scotia government’s passage in early 2025 of Bill 12, the Act Respecting Advanced Education and Research, which significantly increases government control over universities by allowing the minister of advanced education to appoint up to 50 per cent of board members and align research funding with political priorities, has further complicated matters in the post-secondary sector.
“The international student policy situation has been disruptive to our revenue,” Erin says, “and the circumstances generally have been more challenging than expected because there always seems to be another fire.”
Consequently, 31 staff positions in administrative and service roles at Acadia were eliminated in March this year to address significant projected operating deficits. Even with these reductions, along with the elimination of 23 staff positions through a hiring freeze and the recent uptake of Voluntary and Early Retirement Incentives for faculty, the 2026-27 Operating Budget is still projected to be a $1.8 million deficit.
The University is running its fourth consecutive deficit budget going into 2026-2027. Its bilateral agreement with the province, which included a tuition freeze for domestic undergraduate students in its recent iteration, will be renewed April 1, 2027, and there is some speculation that the pot might be smaller next year, Erin says. “It’s difficult to work toward a longer-term plan with so many variables up in the air. There is no quick and easy path, but next year we will have more pieces in view so we can map out a plan.”
Tackle challenges
She adds, “Acadia has been out in front of a lot of this and made decisions with the Board of Governors and Board Executive to tackle the challenges. I have been through two full budget cycles now and have a better appreciation of what works and what requires additional efforts.
“We are taking pretty big steps to do everything in our control to make us financially viable,” Erin says, “but we’re not there yet.” It’s a long game, and she understands that the process has had an impact on Acadia’s campus culture.
“People are stressed,” she says frankly. “The challenges of the last 18 months have taken a toll and it has been very difficult for faculty, students and staff living through financial constraints, cutbacks, and transformative change.”
What has impressed her most, though, is a collective resilience amidst such dramatic evolution. “We can’t keep doing more with less and carry on as if it’s business as usual,” she says. “But the campus community has been very resilient, and even through all the uncertainty, turmoil and change, folks still love Acadia. People love what they’re doing here: supporting students, teaching, doing research, and all of that ties into the resilience I’ve seen. People truly want Acadia to be successful. They are doing phenomenal things and care very deeply, and that’s a virtue.”
Alumni play significant role
Alumni and the Acadia Alumni Association are key elements in the equation. “Despite the challenges,” Erin says, “alumni and the Alumni Association continue to encourage people to come to Acadia. They know Acadia is a great school and students will have a great experience, and they do their best to represent that.
“Alumni are powerful ambassadors who encourage students to write their own stories. We need people who love Acadia to continue to talk passionately about the University and encourage prospective students to attend.” She also offered kudos for the incredible response from alumni and friends in support of the fundraising campaigns undertaken by Vice-President Nancy Handrigan (’92) and her team in External Relations. “It has been invaluable and inspirational!”
At its heart, Acadia’s intention hasn’t changed: to ensure that its students have the finest educational and social opportunities to learn and grow. “It’s something really special,” Erin says, “and it has been rewarding to be part of the discussions, even if they’re hard.”
Is she optimistic then? “I’m resolved,” she says. “This team is committed to seeing this through and although we’ve taken some hits by being the first school to talk publicly, I’m proud that we’ve done that. We are positioning ourselves and making hard decisions so we can thrive, and the community is coming together to make things better. I’m fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity, to be part of this community, and to be entrusted with these files and portfolios. I feel very lucky.”
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