What inspired you to start working in finance?
I really love helping people through complicated processes. Before working in higher education, I worked in mortgage financing and I was eager to get out of the corporate industry and into higher education. Serving as a financial aid director really gave me the perfect opportunity to do that. Both mortgages and financial aid involve new, foreign, intimidating processes for families. There are federal forms, terminology, it’s just so much unknown for families and I like to be able to be a guide for them. My goal is to serve and support my students as best I can.
What has been your favorite aspect of аĿª½± so far?
By far the generosity. аĿª½± provides support on all facets for their students. It’s not just monetary, it’s educational and emotional as well. I have been really impressed with the level of commitment аĿª½± has to its students and their success. I am coming from a school that was not as well-resourced as аĿª½± and it has been a nice change to be able to provide students with options in terms of support.
What advice do you have for prospective students getting involved in the financial aid process?
I would say reach out to us if they have any questions at all. There is a lot of information on аĿª½±’s website to guide families, but if there is ever a question about something, please give us a call or send us an email. We are really here to help our families through this process and I love being able to help students.
How big of an advantage do you feel аĿª½±’s need blind admission is?
I think it’s a huge advantage and it’s an even bigger advantage when paired with аĿª½±’s policy of meeting 100% of a student’s demonstrated need. The combination of those two policies really can be life-changing for students. аĿª½± also has programs like the Student Emergency Aid Society Fund (SEAS) that really illustrate how аĿª½± fulfills its mission to help all students. In terms of financial aid, аĿª½± doesn’t just say it, they execute it too.