UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Finance Optimized Service Team (OST), which has been working to transform the University’s financial operations since 2023, will adopt a phased approach to a shared services model. Adjusting the plan to fully launch operations in November, it will instead begin at that time and extend into early spring of 2026.
“We are not simply working toward a deadline, but to build a resilient, efficient and sustainable financial organization that delivers the level of service our University and employees deserve,” said Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for Finance and Business/treasurer.
The majority of financial staff will continue in their current roles until the beginning of 2026, when they will begin onboarding the new organization. For faculty and staff, operations will continue as-is for now, with shifts expected in early 2026. As processes change, updates and training will be shared with the community.
This new timeline will allow for additional clarity on the steps for faculty and staff to initiate financial transactions, operational readiness within the hubs, and the appropriate staffing levels for these workflows.
Thorndike said, “Additional collaboration behind these functions will be critical in building an organization that supports both operational efficiency and the user experience of our faculty, staff and students.”
The phased launch will also allow for additional training, preparation and communication with financial employees.
A new timeline, including workforce transitions and operational progress, can be found on the Office of Enterprise Change and Transformation website.