Warren Petrofsky

FAS Dean of Administration and Finance
Warren_M_Petrofsky_Headshot
University Hall, Harvard Yard Cambridge, MA 02138
adminfindean@fas.harvard.edu

Senior Administrative Coordinator: Emily Micolonghi 
emicolonghi@fas.harvard.edu

Warren joins us from Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences, where he served as Associate Dean of Administration and Chief Administrative Officer. In that role, he served as a strategic partner to the Dean and led a comprehensive administrative portfolio spanning finance and budget, capital planning, human resources, information technology and data analytics, research administration, and auxiliary operations. He worked closely with faculty leadership and university colleagues to align resources with academic priorities and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Warren brings extensive experience in academic administration and institutional transformation to his role. Throughout his career, he has led significant administrative modernization initiatives within complex, decentralized Arts and Sciences environments, consistently translating strategy into disciplined execution while maintaining strong partnerships with faculty, leadership, and staff.

At Cornell, Warren has partnered with academic leaders to address structural financial challenges through multi-year modeling, transparent budget processes, and data-informed decision-making. He has overseen the redesign of administrative services, strengthened research support, and advanced the modernization of business and data systems. He served on the university's executive steering committee for a major initiative to modernize core financial and administrative systems.

Previously, at the University of  Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, Warren held senior leadership roles overseeing major capital initiatives, facilities management, and organizational redesign across computing and operational functions.

Warren holds deep roots in the academic enterprise. He earned his A.B. in Classics from the University of Pennsylvania (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and an M.A. in Classics from Brown University before completing his MBA from the Wharton School. His career has been defined by commitment to supporting the teaching and research mission of higher education.

Known for emphasizing transparency, clear communication, and staff development, Warren approaches change with steadiness and purpose while maintaining deep respect for academic values and institutional mission.