Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Portland Community College names Mike Cogan new Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Story by James Hill

Portland Community College has named Dr. Mike Cogan as its new vice president of finance and chief financial officer. He replaces Dina Farrell, who retired earlier this year.

Known for his transparent financial leadership, Cogan most recently served as vice president of business and administrative services at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington. In early 2026, he was selected to temporarily lead the college during a presidential transition. Overall, he has experience in budgeting, financial strategy, planning and institutional operations. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join PCC and look forward to becoming part of a community so deeply committed to student success,” Cogan said. “I believe effective financial leadership begins with ensuring that an institution’s resources are closely aligned with its mission and the success of its students.”

Previously, he has held leadership positions at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. This work included serving as vice president for institutional planning and decision support, where his work connected institutional priorities with data-informed resource decisions. In total, his career spans more than two decades serving colleges and universities, in addition to working as a higher education consultant for nearly a decade.

As PCC’s Chief Finance Officer, Cogan will guide financial planning and stewardship across academic programs, student services, grants, technology, facilities and administrative operations. He said his approach emphasizes transparent financial information, collaborative problem-solving, decisions aligned with student success, and data-driven decision-making.

Cogan knows community colleges. He was a first-generation college student and is a U.S. Army veteran. He began his higher education journey at Ohlone Community College in California, shaping his commitment to educational access and the role community colleges play in the lives of the community. He earned a doctorate in Quantitative Research Methodologies from the University of North Dakota and a master’s in Educational Leadership and Leadership from Western New Mexico.

He said he believes that sound financial management depends on trust and transparency.. His priorities include balancing long-term financial sustainability with the resources students and employees need to thrive.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and leadership to strengthen financial sustainability, support informed decision-making, and invest in opportunities that make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve,” he said.