Two Southwestern CFOs resign in four month period

Southwestern Community College confirmed Monday that Chief Financial Officer Nichole Tucker tendered her resignation after only a month in the role.

Her departure follows that of Tia Samo who left the college in November after nearly six years in her position.

Sources at the college say Tucker put in her two week’s notice, but was told not to work it and was escorted from the building Friday.

Her resignation came less than two weeks after the SWCC Board of Trustees appointed Tucker as board treasurer Feb. 14.

Southwestern representatives declined to expound on the situation surrounding Tucker’s resignation. Tucker also declined to comment.

Tucker has 20 years of experience in public administration and finance. She was most recently employed at the state auditor’s office as a senior II auditor where she served for the past four and a half years. In this position, Tucker was in charge of various local government audits, as well as the statewide clerk of court combined report. She planned and conducted financial audits ensuring compliance with code of Iowa and federal regulations, while assessing effectiveness of internal controls.

Tucker is a SWCC graduate, earning her associate degree in accounting in 1999. Following her graduation from SWCC, she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Buena Vista University in 2005, a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2015 from Buena Vista University, and a masters of public administration from Drake University in 2018.

The college will begin the process of hiring a new CFO.