Mark M. Polatajko

Dr. Mark M. Polatajko joined Kent State University in January 2016 and serves as the senior vice president for Finance and Administration.

In this role he provides strategic and innovative leadership to enhance, evaluate, develop and implement customer-driven financial system policies, procedures, and processes for the efficient and effective delivery of services to the university community.

He is responsible for the overall leadership of the Division of Finance and Administration which includes: budget, business and administration services, compliance and risk management, facilities planning and operations, financial reporting, human resources, internal audit and public safety.

Polatajko has over 15 years of senior fiscal management experience in both government and not for profit organizations. Prior to coming to Kent State he served for four years as the vice president for Business and Fiscal Affairs and University Treasurer at Wright State University. He has also served as the vice president of the Administration and Finance Division of Cuyahoga Community College, Deputy Director of Finance for the Ohio Lottery Commission, and has five years of public accounting experience with Ciuni & Panichi, Inc.

A certified public accountant, Polatajko is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Inter-University Council Fiscal Officers, and formerly served as chairperson of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Fiscal Officers in 2009-2010.

Polatajko earned his doctorate in urban education from Cleveland State University, specializing in leadership and lifelong learning.  He also has a master of business administration degree from Ashland University and a bachelor of science degree in accountancy from the University of Akron. His research focuses on topics in public university finance; specifically, performance funding of state public higher education.