When, as a college freshman I was assigned a federal work study job in the financial aid office, I .... Financial Assist
MASFAA Candidate Information Brochure President-Elect: The President-Elect is an Officer of the Association and performs the duties of the President in the event of absence, incapacity or termination of the President and performs such duties as are assigned by the President or prescribed by the Executive Council. The President-Elect assumes the office of President upon the adjournment of the annual Association meeting at the end of his or her year as President-Elect and assumes the role of Past-President upon the adjournment of the annual Association meeting at the end of his or her year as President. 2012-2013 Candidates for President-Elect:
Sara Beth Holman
Candidacy Statement It is an honor to be nominated for the position of MASFAA President. MASFAA is made up of a wonderful, hard-working group of financial aid professionals who have much to offer to the association. It would be truly rewarding to serve all of you as your MASFAA President. When, as a college freshman I was assigned a federal work study job in the financial aid office, I never imagined it would lead me to where I am today. And I certainly never imagined I would find a profession that I am so passionate about. Financial aid administrators are not like other administrators. We are kind and caring when working with students, but fierce and tenacious when it comes to protecting the limited resources available to those same students. We work in an environment that changes daily and yet we don’t give up. We learn the new rules and regulations, we adapt and change, and we almost always keep smiling. We are steadfastly committed to serving students and their families and we never – at least not for long - lose sight of why we do what we do. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this profession and extremely thankful for the opportunities, resources, and professional relationships that organizations like MASFAA offer to all of us.
Resume Sara Beth Holman WORK EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID; Lawrence University (9 years) ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID, Lawrence University FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR, The College of St. Scholastica FINANCIAL AID ADVISOR, Duluth Business University
Sara Beth Holman - Continued
MEMBERSHIPS/OFFICES/COMMITTEES MASFAA: Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Conference Local Arrangements Chair – 2012 Conference Session Presenter -- 2010 Membership Committee -- 2008-2009 State Representative -- 2007-2008 Professional Development Committee MASFAA Pre-Conference Leadership
NASFAA: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Editorial Board, Journal of Student Financial Aid – 2011 to present Editorial Board, NASFAA Transcript – 2009 to present Conference Session Presenter – 2010 Leadership Conference – 2006
WASFAA: Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
NASFAA Fall Training Facilitator/Trainer – 2011, 2010, 2005 Conference Session Presentations –2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 Nominations Committee -- 2008 to present Past President -- 2008-09 President – 2007-2008 President Elect – 2006-07 Delegate-At-Large 2005-2007 Conference Committee – 4 conferences Loan Concerns Committee – 2002-2007 High School Counselor Workshop Presenter – 3 years Leadership Training Participant -- 2002
Other Association Activities NCAA Division III Financial Aid Committee 2006 - 2012 SunGard (Banner) Conference Session Presenter – 2011 Forum Glossary Task Force (Education Abroad Glossary) -- 20092010 National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Conference Presenter – 2005
Aaron Steffens Candidacy Statement: I am extremely honored to be nominated for the opportunity to serve fellow MASFAA members as President-Elect. My decision to accept this honor is one that I reviewed with care as the position is one that requires a great commitment of time, energy, professional knowledge and an understanding of the operational workings of MASFAA. As a fourteen-year veteran of the financial aid profession, I believe I have a strong foundation of the rules and regulations that govern our work with students each day. Serving our professional organizations has been something I have been passionate about since my first year on the job. If elected, my focus would be centered on continual improvement in the areas of training and professional development. Both MASFAA’s mission statement and strategic long range plan emphasize these critical areas. This is especially needed in light of the fact that many leaders in our profession are either leaving or nearing retirement. MASFAA needs to embrace and prepare the leaders of tomorrow’s financial aid offices today through differentiated training, mentoring and the fostering of networking opportunities with professionals from similar institutions. These individuals need to be engaged. MASFAA’s job is to engage these leaders. Failing to embrace tomorrow’s leaders now may result in a lack of individuals willing to commit time to any of the state, regional or national organizations in the future. During my career, I have served the Iowa association as Treasurer-Elect and Treasurer, as well as President-Elect, President and Past President. In IASFAA, I also chaired the Program, Finance, Nominations and Long Range Planning Committees. My MASFAA involvement includes currently serving as chair of the Donor Development Committee, but I have also chaired the Membership Committee. Additionally, I have served on the Program, Summer Institute Local Arrangements and Conference Local Arrangements Committees. In 2008-09, I also served on the Executive Council as the State Representative from Iowa. I believe these experiences have prepared me to serve as MASFAA President-Elect. Thank you for your consideration.
Resume: AARON J. STEFFENS EDUCATION : Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Psychology Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
WORK EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID Luther College, Decorah, Iowa May 2007 to Present DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa September 2006 to May 2007 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa , June 2000 to August 2006 FINANCIAL PLANNING COUNSELOR Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa July 1998 to June 2000
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR/TELECOUNSELING COORDINATOR Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa , September 1996 to July 1998
AARON J. STEFFENS - Continued MEMBERSHIPS/OFFICES/COMMITTEES MASFAA: Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Chair, Donor Development Committee, 2011-2012 Member, 2010 Conference Local Arrangements Committee Chair, Member Services, 2008-2009 Iowa Representative, 2007-2008 Executive Council Member, 2008 Summer Institute Local Arrangements Committee Member, 2006 Local Arrangements Committee Chair, 2006 On-Site Registration Committee Member, 2003 Conference Program Committee
IASFAA:Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Past-President 2008-2009 President 2007-2008 President-Elect 2006-2007 Treasurer 2005-2006 Treasurer-Elect 2004-2005 Chair, Long Range Planning Committee 2011-2012 Chair, Program Committee 2010-2011 Chair, Finance Committee 2007-2008 Chair, Nominations and Elections Committee 2006-2007 Vice Chair, Community Outreach Committee 2003-2004 Committee Member, School Relations 2001-2002 Committee Member, Program Committee 1999-2000
HONORS AND AWARDS
MASFAA Meritorious Service Award 2010-2011 IASFAA Distinguished Service Award 2010 MASFAA State Leadership Award 2008-2009 IASFAA President’s Award 2007-2008 MASFAA Committee of the Year Award 2007-2008 MASFAA Committee of the Year Award 2002-2003
Secretary: The Secretary is an Officer of the Association and is responsible for developing, distributing, and maintaining the applicable records of the Association and the Executive Council. The Secretary distributes meeting notices and such other communications as provided for in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. The Secretary is a voting member of the Executive Council and the Finance Committee. 2012-2013 Candidates for Secretary: Craig Slaughter I am honored to be nominated for the MASFAA position of Secretary. Like many, I stumbled into this profession not knowing very much about it. It is with thanks to our professional associations (ISFAA, MASFAA, NASFAA, etc...) that I had the privilege to learn so much and to pass that knowledge on to others. My financial aid career began 17 years ago at the IU School of Music in Bloomington. I first joined MASFAA in the year 2000 during my time as Associate Director of Financial Aid at Kenyon College. Although I left the Midwest in 2005 to pursue an opportunity in California, I am grateful to be back in the Midwest serving my profession. My travels to different states and different regions helped me understand the challenges that we all face across the country. I served as a volunteer and presenter with the College Board and with NASFAA on issues pertaining to technology and needs analysis. I currently serve as Long Range Site Committee co-chair for the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association. I am also a current member of the NASFAA Technology Initiatives Committee and the College Board's Financial Aid Services & Standards Committee. I would truly welcome the opportunity to serve MASFAA as we chart the future of the organization and its role in an increasingly complex financial aid environment. I look forward to communicating with MASFAA members and advocating for issues that are important to all of us as we work to assist students in obtaining their goals in higher education. Committee & Association Experience ISFAA member since December 2008 ISFAA Long Range Site Committee, co-chair (2010-2011, 2011-2012) ISFAA Winter Conference Site Committee, member (2011-2012) ISFAA Leadership Symposium participant (2009) College Board Financial Aid Services & Standards Committee, member (2009-2012) WASFAA Management & Leadership Institute participant (2007) WASFAA Conference Presenter (2008) NASFAA Technology Initiatives Committee, member (2005-2006, 2011-2012) College Board PowerFAIDS Advisory Committee, member (2003-2005) NASFAA Conference Presenter (2008, 2009, 2010) PowerFAIDS User Conference Presenter (2001-2005, 2009-2011)
Elizabeth Stevens It is with pleasure that I accept this nomination as a candidate for MASFAA Secretary. As I passed the 20 year mark of working in financial aid last year, I paused to reflect on my career experiences and goals. I have been fortunate to work at two Big 10 universities, an urban, consolidated community and technical college, and now for seven years at a private university. My experience at these different institutions has afforded me the opportunity to work with many wonderful students and colleagues and address both the common and different issues and operations across sectors. During this time, I have served our profession in many capacities and would like to give back to the MASFAA community by bringing the knowledge I have gained to MASFAA’s executive council as Secretary. If elected, I promise to do my best to meet the needs of MASFAA and the financial aid community. Committee & Association Experience MN Office of Higher Education Financial Aid Advisory Committee Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MAFAA) Public Relations Committee Chair, Development Task Force Chair, Early Awareness Task Force, College Goal Sunday Committee MASFAA Legal Issues Committee, Family Concerns Committee NASFAA Professional Judgment Trainer MAFAA, MASFAA, NASFAA, National College Fair, NCAA, ACT, High School Counselor Conference presenter
Treasurer-Elect: The Treasurer-Elect is an Officer of the Association and performs the duties of the Treasurer in the event of absence of incapacity of the Treasurer. The Treasurer-Elect is responsible for assisting the Treasurer with developing, distributing and maintaining the financial records of the Association and the Executive Council and performing transactions as directed by the Finance Committee. The treasurerelect is a voting member of both the Executive Council and the Finance Committee, and assumes the role of Treasurer upon the Adjournment of the annual Association meeting at the end of his or her treasurer-elect year. 2012-2013 Candidates for Treasurer-Elect:
Jackie KennedyFletcher
With over twenty-six years in higher education, I have gained valuable experience in the area of financial aid and admissions. Currently, I serve as the Senior Associate Director of Student Financial Assistance for Indiana University Bloomington. Professional Memberships National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Indiana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Big-10 Associate Directors
Charles “Buddy” Mayfield It is an honor to be nominated to represent the MASFAA members as Treasurer-Elect. Having an active MASFAA role in recent years, I have seen first-hand the commitment that is necessary to serve its members. I believe that, given the opportunity, I will bring the necessary skills, abilities, and diligence needed to assist in the management of the finances of MASFAA. I look forward to the opportunity to give back to the organization that has given so much to me, to pay it forward, as they say. Professional Involvement and Achievements MASFAA Ethics Symposium Attendee - 2008 Outstanding New Professional award recipient - 2010 Missouri State Representative - 2011 Program Committee member - 2011 Research Chair - 2012 MASFAP (Missouri) President - 2010-2011 Legislative Chair - 2007-2009 Program Committee member - 2006-2008 2007 Bob Berger award recipient (outstanding new professional) NASFAA Decentralized Trainer - 2007 Leadership Institute attendee – 2010 State Student Financial Aid Committee member, appointed position - 2008-present Non-Federal negotiator during USDE’s negotiated rulemaking - 2009
Delegate – At – Large: Delegates-at-Large are Trustees of the Association and serve as representatives of the general membership of MASFAA for the purpose of discussing issues and concerns brought before the Executive Council. The Delegate-at-Large serves for two years, commencing with the adjournment of the annual meeting of the Association following the election. Each delegate is assigned, by the President, to oversee the work of assigned committee(s) and serves as liaison for those committee(s) to the Executive Council and assists with the annual review of accounting records.
2012-2013 Candidates for Delegates-At-Large: Michelle Curtis I believe in the work that MASFAA does to provide training, information and community for those of us within financial aid. Nothing is asked of members except they participate in whatever manner works best for them. Given the changing nature of our business it is more important than ever that as professionals we stay connected to our peers at all levels of governance. The beauty of MASFAA is that all kinds of institutions and aid professionals can come together to find common ground and understand when there are necessary distinctions between ourselves. Having had a chance to chair the MASFAA awards committee and serve in a small way on the long range planning committee I had an opportunity to see the depth of aid knowledge and personal care represented within our region and that is what keeps me excited and engaged in our professional association. Committee & Association Experience Presentations: Various individual/joint presentations at WASFAA 2006-2012 Various High School/ Middle School Financial Aid Night presentations Various Financial Aid 101 presentations to campus associations/ student groups Financial Aid Panelist at Wisconsin ACT 2012 annual conference NASFAA presenter 2008 MASFAA Federal Issues Committee Member 2008 – 2012 MASFAA Awards Committee Chair 2009-2010 WASFAA Co-Chair Spring 2012 Conference Committee WASFAA Federal Issues Committee Member 2008 – 2012 CAFAA (Colorado Association) Professional Development Committee Chair 1997-1998 CAFAA Trainer/Presenter, multiple years CAFAA Conference Committee Member 1995, 1996 UW System Financial Aid Liaison to the Wisconsin State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 2008-2012 Madison Academic Staff Association Treasurer 2008-2010 Private Condo Association President 2006-2010 Private Condo Association Treasurer 2011 – 2012
Amanda Fijal It’s an honor to be nominated for the Delegate-At-Large. I have enjoyed my involvement with MASFAA and ILASFAA and now look forward to serving the MASFAA membership in the Delegate-At-Large capacity. Committee & Association Experience Presentations: 2009 - 2011 MASFAA Annual Conferences 2009, 2011 ILASFAA Fall Workshops 2007 - 2011ILASFAA Annual Conferences 2002 Illinois Association of College Admission Counseling Summer Institute 1999 – 2002 ISAC/ILASFAA Fall Seminar for High School Guidance Counselors 2001 College Summit ILASFAA Treasurer 2012 ILASFAA Electronic Communications Chair 2011 ILASFAA Membership Committee Chair 2009-2010 ILASFAA ISAC Formula Committee 2006-2007, 2009 ILASFAA Chicago Regional Coordinator 2008 ILASFAA Manager’s Retreat 2007 ILASFAA Leadership Retreat 2006 ILASFAA Conference Program Committee 2005 MASFAA Conference Program Committee, 2011 and Chair 2012 MASFAA Conference Local Arrangements Committee 2010 MASFAA Leadership Institute 2009 NASFAA Leadership and Legislative Conference Participant 2011
Amy Gaffney It is with honor that I accept the nomination as a candidate for Delegate-At-Large for MASFAA. I have been employed in financial aid since 1993, reaping the benefits of an IASFAA membership for the past nineteen years. I am the president of the Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (IASFAA) for this current 2011-12 year. Though a member of MASFAA since 1994, it has been this past year when I have come to be a part of the MASFAA Executive Board due to my IASFAA Presidency. It has been a real pleasure to get to better know our leaders in MASFAA. Our region is blessed with a robust network of colleagues and professional development opportunities. These have helped me grow both personally and professionally. With this experience on the MASFAA Board, it is even more affirming how important the work we do everyday is and reassuring that MASFAA, with its leaders, continues to be an influential force in the industry. The changes we are continuing to experience in the industry only deepen my belief that the association is even more important. We need to continue to provide a solid association with strong leadership. Committee & Association Experience IASFAA President, 2011-2012 IASFAA Delegate-At-Large, 2003-2006 IASFAA Recipient of Distinguished Service Award 2009/ Meritorious Service, 1996 IASFAA Committee Chair for Association Members, Program, Site Coordination and Sponsorship MASFAA State Delegate, 2011-2012 MASFAA Annual Program Local Arrangements, 1997, 2008 MASAA Newsletter Committee
Tresa Weimer I look forward to becoming more involved with MASFAA not only from the state perspective but from the regional perspective. Committee & Association Experience WVASFAA Program Committee WVASFAA NASFAA Trainer WVASFAA President 2010-2011 WVASFAA Past-President 2011-2012 MASFAA Program Committee 2009-2010 MASFAA State Representative 2010-1011 MASFAA Awards Committee 2011-2012, 2010-2011
