The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry is pleased to welcome Ivan Squire as its new Assistant Dean of Finance & Administration, bringing more than two decades of financial leadership experience across multiple industries to support the College’s mission of education, service, and patient care.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Squire has held financial management and operational roles at organizations including Conduent, Lexmark, and Ford Motor Company. Working across business process outsourcing, printing solutions, and automotive manufacturing has given him a broad and adaptable perspective on budgeting, resource planning, and process optimization within complex organizations. Throughout his career, he has focused on analyzing financial performance, improving efficiency, and aligning resources with strategic goals—skills he now brings to higher education and healthcare.
“Finance is a common language that communicates how organizations function and achieve their missions,” Squire said. “My approach emphasizes transparency, rigorous reporting, and translating complex financial information into insights that leaders can act on.”
For Squire, joining UKCD is both a professional milestone and a personal one. After living in Lexington for more than 20 years, he has long admired the College of Dentistry—an admiration shaped in part by friendships with UK dental students and residents he met through his neighborhood over the years.
“I’ve always respected the program from afar,” he shared. “Now, I’m thrilled to officially join a college whose mission directly improves lives across the Commonwealth.”
That mission—particularly UKCD’s emphasis on service, access to care, and impact in underserved communities—strongly resonates with him. In his new role, he sees financial stewardship as a means of amplifying that impact.
“My goal is to ensure finance serves as a true partner to the mission,” he said. “By providing clear analysis, promoting transparency, and supporting thoughtful resource allocation, we can strengthen day-to-day operations while building long-term sustainability.”
Looking ahead, Squire sees significant opportunity for the College to continue strengthening its financial and administrative foundation. From the transition of clinical activities to UK HealthCare to ongoing investments in clinical and educational innovation, faculty development, research, and strategic partnerships, he believes data-driven decision-making and careful stewardship will be key to continued success.
“I hope my work helps leaders make decisions with both eyes wide open—fully aware of opportunities and potential consequences,” he said. “When finance empowers informed decisions, the entire institution is better positioned to serve patients, educate future dentists, and remain one of the top dental schools in the country.”
As Assistant Dean of Finance & Administration, Squire is committed to open communication, accountability, and collaboration—ensuring that every financial decision supports UKCD’s people, programs, and purpose, today and well into the future.