Meet the EVP
Mark Dingfield, PhD
Mark Dingfield was appointed Executive Vice President (EVP) of the University of Pennsylvania in August 2025. In this role, he leads Penn’s business and operational strategy, overseeing core functions that include finance, investments, budget planning and analysis, human resources, business services, information technology, facilities and real estate services, audit, public safety, and more. Known for his collaborative leadership and focus on innovation, Mark works in close partnership with Penn’s academic and clinical leadership to drive meaningful institutional change, strengthen operational resilience, and position the University for long-term success amid rapid shifts in higher education and healthcare.
Mark served as the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer from 2022-2025, leading the University’s financial operations, including cash and short-term investments, capital financing strategies, and multiyear financial planning efforts. During that time, he spearheaded the launch of the Quaker Commitment, a landmark financial aid initiative that expanded Penn’s support for middle-income students and families. He also played a critical role on the University’s COVID-19 Response Team, helping design and implement Penn’s testing infrastructure and campus health strategy at a moment of extraordinary demand. Mark also co-sponsored several major administrative transformation initiatives, which laid the foundation for more modern, integrated support for Penn’s faculty, staff, and students.
Mark joined Penn in 2017 as Associate Provost for Finance and Planning, where he managed the Provost Administrative Affairs group and served as budget liaison to Penn’s twelve schools. Prior to Penn, he was executive director for planning, analysis, and technology at Princeton University. Before entering higher education, he held leadership roles at Microsoft in both the United Kingdom and the U.S., working on a range of global marketing and business initiatives.
Mark holds a BA in political science, with concentrations in public policy and German studies, from Swarthmore College; an MSc with distinction in European public policy from the London School of Economics; and a PhD in political science from Temple University. He also serves on the board of directors for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and on the advisory board of the West Philadelphia YMCA.