Dive Brief:

• University of Connecticut named Anthony Rini to become its next CFO, effective April 27, according to a university spokesperson. Rini is joining after holding a variety of roles over the past 14 years at Northeastern University in Boston, including most recently as chief operating officer, according to his LinkedIn account. 
• Rini succeeds Jeffrey Geoghegan, who previously served as CFO and executive vice president for finance at both UConn and UConn Health from 2022 until last summer when he returned to UConn Health full-time as CFO, according to a release from UConn President Radenka Maric last year. Reka Wrynn has served as UConn’s interim EVP and CFO since that time. 
• “Anthony will play a pivotal role in collaborating with the Board of Trustees, university leaders, and faculty to explore funding sources and an operating model that will pave the way for our success,” Maric said in a March 23 letter announcing the appointment, which noted the school’s financial stability faces increasing risks as pressure from federal and state government mounts. 

Dive Insight:

Over the past year, many state and Ivy League institutions have been affected directly by research funds canceled by President Donald Trump. In response schools have instituted hiring freezes, research pauses, broad budget cuts and in some cases layoffs, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

The University of Connecticut is pinched too. The institution is moving ahead with a controversial review of programs that could reshape and reduce its academic offerings, sparking criticism from some faculty members who fear the cuts are going too far, CTInsider reported. 

The university CFO oversees the budget for both UConn Athletics as part of the larger $1.8 billion budget for UConn Storrs (flagship campus) and the regional campuses in Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury, and Avery Point, the spokesperson said. 

But while UConn faced operating budget shortfalls when it adopted its 2025-2026 budget last year, its strong athletic program could potentially deliver some happy news: UConn’s men’s basketball team is headed to the March Madness Final Four game this weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana after a buzzer- beater shot powered them past Duke on Saturday. 

A strong finish in the tournament could also bring a financial bump. Known as the “Flutie effect,” and named after Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie who secured a win in 1984 with a key Hail Mary pass and strengthened BC’s admission rate, in the past some schools have seen increased applications and donations follow big athletic tournament success. 

Rini could not be reached for an immediate comment. But after UConn beat Duke, Rini took to LinkedIn. “Amazing win!” he wrote.