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Meet the AVP, Capital Planning and Strategic Initiatives

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Chris Harkins

Associate Vice President, Capital Planning and Strategic Initiatives

Chris Harkins serves as the Associate Vice President for Capital Planning and Strategic Initiatives at Michigan State University (MSU). As a senior member of the MSU Finance team, Harkins oversees the financial and programmatic coordination of strategic projects and initiatives across the university – driving alignment between the MSU 2030: Excellence for Global Impact strategic plan with the university’s long-term effort to modernize and transform financial management systems and practices.

In support of this work, Harkins led the development of an internal business planning framework for use by both academic and administrative units. With a focus on setting clear expectations and establishing financial plans, the framework has been a key tool leveraged in a multitude of MSU projects—from delivering a new research facility in Detroit as part of the landmark partnership between Henry Ford Health and MSU Health Sciences, to assessing the university’s method for delivering concessions at athletic venues. Harkins’ office is also responsible for managing capital planning and space utilization policies, processes, and activities for the main East Lansing campus and all MSU facilities across the state, totaling approximately 5,200 acres. 

Prior to joining MSU in 2023, Harkins had a decorated career working within the government of the State of Michigan. Most recently, he served as the State of Michigan’s Budget Director. As a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, he was responsible for coordinating all aspects of the state’s $82 billion budget and overseeing a multitude of functional teams, including the Budget Development Offices; the Office of Financial Management; the Office of Internal Audit Services; the Center for Educational Performance and Information; and the SIGMA Support Organization responsible for the state’s ERP. Harkins is proud to have participated in the creation of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, expanding the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, and creating the first-ever “rainy-day fund” for Michigan’s public schools. Prior to this role, Harkins served as Director of the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency, ensuring that the informational and fiscal needs of the Senate members were met.  

Harkins is a proud Spartan alum and holds a B.A. in International Relations from Michigan State University. He also earned his Master’s in Community and Economic Development from Pennsylvania State University. Harkins resides in Lansing with his wife and son, and is active in many local community groups.
 

Reporting units

  • Operations of the Office of the SVP
  • Institutional Space Planning and Management (ISPM)