Ringling College Names Chris Kinsley New VP for Finance and Administration

Sarasota's Ringling College of Art and Design announced the appointment of Chris Kinsley as its new Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). Kinsley will officially begin his role on November 2, 2026.

Kinsley brings extensive experience in higher education finance and administration, along with strong ties to the Sarasota area. He previously worked at New College of Florida under three different presidents. His return to the local academic scene follows a comprehensive national search that attracted over 98 candidates for the position.

Before joining Ringling College, Kinsley served as Interim Vice President and CFO at Portland Community College (PCC) in Oregon, the state's largest institution of higher education. This was his second placement through The Registry, an organization that places experienced senior administrators in interim leadership roles at colleges and universities across the country. His first Registry placement was as Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance at New Mexico State University, where he supported 20,000 students and a vast land-grant institution.

Kinsley holds a B.S. in Finance and both a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting from Florida State University. He is also an active Certified Public Accountant in Florida. His career includes serving as Assistant Vice Chancellor, Finance and Facilities for the State University System of Florida, Board of Governors, and as Chief Comptroller for Florida.

Kinsley's appointment is set to take effect on November 2, 2026, bringing his financial leadership and local knowledge to Ringling College.