Finance and Administration Staff

Tera has over 25 years of progressive accounting and financial management expertise to her role, with a noteworthy 12-year tenure in higher education. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) holding a master’s degree in business administration, she embodies a unique blend of qualifications and experience.

Her diverse background encompasses roles as an auditor in public accounting, alongside extensive involvement in budgeting, planning, analysis, and reporting within the private sector. Since 2010, Tera has been instrumental in various leadership capacities at the University of Central Florida (UCF), within the Budget, Planning and Analysis office, as well as the Controller’s office.

She has been a driving force behind the implementation of numerous enterprise-wide strategic financial initiatives, including the successful orchestration of a new enterprise resource planning system for UCF and its 10 direct support organizations.

Tera’s responsibilities have required an understanding of various operations and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. Tera provides decision support for key senior leadership and excels in cross-functional diverse teams with a collaborative and communicative approach facilitating change management.

Jose Bernier, EdD assumes the pivotal role of Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Stetson University, a position he has held since May 1, 2015. With a remarkable career spanning over 25 years in the realm of Information Technology (IT), Jose brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his leadership role.

Throughout his distinguished career, Bernier has held notable leadership positions in IT management at esteemed institutions including the University of Florida, Saint Leo University, the University of Hawai’i Maui College, and SUNY Orange County Community College.

Under his astute leadership, the Office of Information Technology at Stetson University plays a pivotal role in providing faculty, staff, students, and university guests with the essential tools and resources necessary to realize their academic and institutional objectives. This encompasses a comprehensive array of groups within the Office of Information Technology, including the Helpdesk, Enterprise Information Systems, Infrastructure, Security, Online Learning and Educational Technology, Media Services, and Broadcasting across all campuses.

Aligned with the university's mission, the Office of Information Technology is dedicated to delivering and supporting systems, hardware, and infrastructures that enhance teaching, learning, communication, and administrative operations. Through the deployment of effective and secure technologies, Bernier and his team are steadfastly committed to advancing the educational mission of Stetson University and ensuring its continued excellence in the digital age.

Jeremy is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of dedicated service in Higher Education, boasting a wealth of expertise spanning various domains such as business, finance, and student affairs. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Clemson University, followed by a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of Connecticut.

Throughout his career, Jeremy has made significant contributions to Rollins College, the University of Connecticut, and currently, Stetson University. With a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in leadership roles, Jeremy has been a prominent advocate within NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers), serving on the Advisory Group for Leadership Diversity. His efforts have been focused on creating accessible pathways for underrepresented individuals to ascend to the respected position of Chief Business Officer. Currently, Jeremy holds the position of 3rd Vice President for SACUBO (Southern Association of College and University Business Officers), where he actively contributes to the organization's mission of professional development and excellence in higher education administration. His involvement in SACUBO's Professional Development committee underscores his dedication to nurturing the growth and advancement of professionals within the field. This aligns seamlessly with his overarching goal of empowering individuals to uncover their distinct talents and guiding them towards effectively leveraging these abilities for positive impact. In his previous role as Business Partner Relations Coordinator, Jeremy demonstrated remarkable skill in securing increased financial sponsorship for the southern region, thereby enhancing the resources available for educational initiatives and institutional growth. Jeremy's commitment to excellence, coupled with his passion for advancing diversity and professional development within Higher Education, continues to make him a valued leader in the field.

Jeremy's dedication to excellence extends beyond his professional roles, as evidenced by his recognition as one of Winter Park Magazine’s "People to Watch" in December 2021. He actively serves as an Ambassador for the city of Winter Park, welcoming new businesses and organizations to the community, and remains engaged in the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. Moreover, Jeremy's commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy is commendable, as demonstrated by his election to the Clemson LGBTQ+ Alumni Council Board in May 2020. He has worked with LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff at multiple institutions, serving as Co-Chair of PRISM, a faculty and staff advisory group at Rollins, and providing guidance as an advisor to Spectrum, an LGBTQ+ student organization at Rollins.

Graciela (Chela) Dufour has been a thought leader and distinguished professional in Human Resources for over 20 years with a specific focus on higher education. In May, she was named the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Development at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida after many years as the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. Her role in HR has evolved over the years to include responsibility for key areas such as strategic initiatives, diversity/inclusion, recruitment/retention, staff development, mediation/conflict resolution and tactical communication. In addition, she is especially dedicated to the continual advancement of technology within HR, as well as helping guide university initiatives.

During her tenure at Lewis University, she served as past president for the IL CUPA-HR chapter and led a national CUPA-HR “Return-to-work” community group on the reimagining of the new post-pandemic workplace in higher education. Dufour is an advocate for inclusive communities, having served as a consultant for DiversityWorks Inc. and a program reviewer for the Diverse Organizational Impact and Transformation Certification (DOIT) program led in collaboration with Diverse Issues in Higher Education publication.

Chela holds the SPHR Certification and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University. She uses her higher education experience to share knowledge and best practices with others. Aside from her engagement with CUPA, she has been a peer reviewer for other universities and has presented at conferences for NACUA, NCORE and CUPA-HR.

Annette embodies excellence in her role as Special Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer at Stetson University. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television broadcasting from UCF and a master’s in business administration from Stetson University, Annette has been an integral part of the Stetson community since 2000.

Throughout her tenure, Annette has consistently demonstrated her exceptional aptitude for enhancing efficiency and managing complex tasks, earning her a reputation as a trusted and indispensable member of the team. In her capacity, she provides invaluable executive support to the VP/CFO and the Division, playing a pivotal role in facilitating seamless operations.

Annette serves as a key liaison to senior management and University Board committee chairs to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

With her steady dedication, expertise, and collaborative approach, Annette continues to play a vital role in advancing the financial stewardship and operational excellence of Stetson University. Her contributions are instrumental in driving the university's mission forward and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

In his role as Stetson University's Chief Facilities Officer, Scott oversees the university's daily facilities operations, as well as spearheading facility planning and construction endeavors. Armed with a degree in facilities management from Brigham Young University, Scott brings a wealth of expertise to his position. He is an esteemed member of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) and boasts their highest credential, Certified Facility Manager (CFM).

Before joining the Stetson community, Scott served as a leader in facilities management operations within the Lake Nona development. Prior to this, he amassed 12 years of invaluable experience with a national facilities management vendor, where he contributed his talents to higher education institutions across the country. Through his extensive background and dedication to excellence, Scott continues to drive Stetson's facilities management endeavors to new heights of efficiency and effectiveness.