Speakers

Director of Financial Aid, Brightpoint Community College

About:

Andrew Quinn has worked in financial aid for the last 13 years in a private 4-year, public 4-year, and now in a public 2-year community college. He is currently the Director of Financial Aid at Brightpoint Community College and is the immediate past president of the Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Community College Leadership at Old Dominion University. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, focusing on health/fitness, trying new restaurants, traveling, and seeing live music!

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Federal Grants and Withdrawal Coordinator, University of Kentucky

About:

Beth Mekus began at University of Kentucky’s Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office as a Federal Work Study student before graduating in 2012 with a degree in Elementary Education.  With a teaching job offer on the table, she rerouted her plan to stay on at UK, and has worked there since, both as a financial aid counselor and the Federal Grants and Withdrawals Coordinator.  In line with these interests, she enjoys volunteering with KASFAA, collecting NASFAA Us, and throwing epic office parties!   Outside of financial aid, Beth volunteers with UK’s Community Hearing Board and serves as an Election Official.  She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, and 4 fur-kids.  

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Associate Director of Financial Aid, Bethune-Cookman University

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Brenda Ilojiole started her career in higher education over 10 years ago. Currently serving as the Associate Director of Financial Aid at Bethune-Cookman University, she has made significant contributions to the field. Brenda holds a bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology and a master’s degree in Higher Education from the University of Central Florida. With all 16 NASFAA credentials to her name, Brenda plays a pivotal role in both front-end and back-end processing within the financial aid department.     While much of her work revolves around systems and processing, she takes great pleasure in personally guiding students through their educational journeys, valuing the meaningful face-to-face interactions that come with that experience. In addition to her professional achievements, Brenda is the founder of the Strong Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, which is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic aspirations. Outside of her work, she enjoys cooking and embraces her creativity through various DIY projects.

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Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Vanderbilt University

About:

Brent Tener currently serves as Assistant Provost and Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Vanderbilt University and has worked in higher education for over 35 years. He has presented numerous times at national, regional and state associate conferences, and was one of the main architects of Vanderbilt’s current need-based financial aid program, Opportunity Vanderbilt. Prior to Vanderbilt, Brent worked at Wichita State University in Admissions and in Financial Aid.   Brent graduated from Wichita State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a M.Ed. in Counseling, with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration. He is a Past National Chair of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

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Relationship Manager, Ascent Funding

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Chantelle Isaacs has worked adjacent to the Higher Education field for 7 years, with a background in pre-college and grad-school test prep, career services and advising, coding bootcamps, and now private lending at Ascent Funding. Through her varied experiences, the desire to help students succeed and thrive is her driving force. She is excited to bring her hobby of playing Dungeons and Dragons into the realm of Financial Aid.

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Director of Student Financial Services, Belmont University

About:

Charles is the Director of Student Financial Services at Belmont University. He has been at Belmont for 30 years. Charles has served as a member of the TASFAA Executive Board for over a decade.  Charles was the 2017-18 and 2022-23 TASFAA President.  Charles has also served on the SASFAA Executive Board in 2017-2018 and 2022-23 along with being part of the NASFAA Advocacy and NASFAA State Advocacy committees. Charles earned both his BS degree and his M.Ed. in Organizational Leadership and Change from Belmont where his focus was on working with and managing a multi-generational workforce in a millennial age.  Charles has presented various sessions at TASFAA, FASFAA, and SASFAA along with serving as one of the instructors for the SASFAA Leadership Symposium. When not serving the students on Belmont’s campus, Charles serves as a youth leader for his church and enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Jamie and their two sons, Brennan and Aiden.

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Deputy Director, University of South Florida

About:

Dameion is the Deputy Director in the Office of Financial Aid at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Dameion also oversees USF’s Financial Wellness Program which includes retention and graduation rate efforts for USF and has worked in financial aid at USF since 1997 at various levels of progressive responsibility.  Dameion has served FASFAA as President-Elect (2019-20 and 2022-23), President (2020-21) and (2023-24) and Past President (2021-22 and 2024-25). Dameion has also served a term as FASFAA Financial Literacy/Debt Management Outreach Coordinator and a term as a Region Representative.   Dameion currently serves SASFAA as the Community Engagement Chair. Dameion has provided numerous presentations for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA), the Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA), The College Board, and The Higher Education Financial Wellness Summit. Dameion has also served on the SASFAA 20/20 Diversity Committee and was a part of the inaugural NASFAA Diversity Leadership Program class.  

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Vice President of Professional Development and Institutional Compliance, NASFAA

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Dana Kelly is the Vice President of Professional Development and Institutional Compliance for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). She oversees NASFAA’s Professional Development division—including Training & Regulatory Assistance, Certification & Credentialing, and Corporate Partnerships—and manages the association’s two signature events: the National Conference and the Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo. With more than 30 years of experience in financial aid, Dana is part of NASFAA’s executive leadership team, aligning professional development, compliance, and member engagement with the association’s strategic vision. Prior to NASFAA, she served as a national trainer and regional director for Nelnet and as Director of Student Financial Planning at High Point University.

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Institutional Compliance Specialist, Tennessee Higher Education Commission

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David Haggard embarked on his journey in financial aid in 2001, developing a passion for making higher education accessible to all. Along with earning his master's degree in higher education administration in 2007, he honed his expertise at small private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Tennessee. His hands-on approach has allowed him to become proficient in most facets of the financial aid office, equipping him with a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by students and institutions alike. In 2024, David took on the role of Institutional Compliance Specialist at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), where he now plays a vital role in guiding schools through the intricate landscape of federal and state aid regulations. With a commitment to fostering compliance and supporting educational institutions, David continues to champion the cause of accessible education in Tennessee and beyond.

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Financial Aid Manager, Hillsborough College

About:

Dr. Schurman began her career as a data entry clerk at a for-profit institution in Miami, FL over 37 years ago.  She quickly progressed into the business office as a  supervisor, spending the next seven years processing  payments, calculating monthly census, and calculating and processing Title IV refund calculations. In 1995, she moved into the Financial Aid Department as a Financial Aid Administrator for another for-profit institution. There she learned all the in’s and out’s of federal and state aid, VA, international student visas, and saw the inception and integration of what we now know as R2T4.  Throughout her career, Dr. Schurman has held notable positions such as Director of Finance, Regional Director of Financial Aid, Corporate Director of Financial Aid, Business Operations Manager, and Campus Director. She currently holds the position of Financial Aid Manager for all clock hour and non-standard term programs at Hillsborough College in Tampa, FL.  Dr. Schurman earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information System Security from ITT Technical Institute in 2004, a Master of Business Administration with a proficiency in Management and Strategy in 2014 from Western Governor’s University, and in 2020 earned her Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University.   Since 2023-24, Dr. Schurman has been intimately involved with Florida Association of Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA).  She served as the Clock Hour Chairperson for both 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 years.  Currently  she is the VP of Training for FASFAA.

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Director of Financial Aid, Vanderbilt School of Medicine

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Dr. Heather Boutell (pronounced Bough, or Bow, like in Bow Wow or when the bough breaks) is the Director of Financial Aid at Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. Heather has worked in the field of financial aid for 34 years, spending the last 6 years as Director of Financial Aid at Vanderbilt School of Medicine. Heather has been active in professional organizations and served as the President of the Kentucky Association of Student Aid Administrators in 2004-2005 and President of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in 2008-2009.  She has served on the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Board of Directors several times in appointed and elected positions.  She received the KASFAA and SASFAA Distinguished Service Awards, and the NASFAA Regional Leadership and Meritorious Achievement Awards for her contributions to the profession.  Heather earned her Bachelor of Music Education, her Master of Education in College Student Personnel Services, and just a year ago now, her Ed.D. at Lipscomb University.  She also holds the FAAC certification. Heather, her husband Steve, and cat Crouton reside in Lebanon, TN. They have two adult sons who both live in Chicago. For fun, Heather loves reality TV competition shows – ask her about Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Top Chef, or Amazing Race!  

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NASFAA National Chair, and Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Financial Aid, Purdue University

About:

Heidi Carl is the Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Financial Aid at Purdue University. She has over 28 years of financial aid, admissions, and enrollment management experience and has previously worked at Wabash College and the University of Indianapolis. Heidi earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and her master’s degree in higher education administration from Western Michigan University. She has served in several elected and volunteer roles at the state, regional, and national level, and is a past president of the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) and ISFAA (Indiana). She has served on NASFAA's Board of Directors as MASFAA regional representative and served as Chair of the Career Path Awareness for Financial Aid Administrators Thought Force. Heidi is committed to the people in our profession and helping to make critical changes to elevate the recognition and training for the unique skill set that is necessary for financial aid professionals of the future.   

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Associate Provost and Director of Scholarships and Student Aid, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

About:

Jackie Copeland is the Associate Provost and Director of Scholarships and Student Aid at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where her journey began as a first-generation college student. With over two and a half decades of experience in financial aid, Jackie exemplifies leadership and strategic vision. She develops financial aid and student success strategies for both graduate and undergraduate populations, notably guiding the Carolina Covenant Scholars Program, which offers a debt-free path to graduation for low-income students, and the inaugural Carolina Financial Well-being Center, enhancing financial literacy and basic needs support, in partnership with the Dean of Students. She regularly advocates for students and is passionate about access to higher education and ensuring that all students have the resources and opportunity to thrive in college and beyond. Jackie’s influence extends beyond campus; she is the incoming Vice President of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA), representative-at-large for NASFAA, member of the Coalition of State University Aid Administrators (COSUAA) steering committee and has served in a variety of volunteer roles at each association. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in Leadership from Pfeiffer University.

My Speaking Sessions:

Director of Financial Aid, Pearl River Community College

About:

Dr. Jaime Missimer is the Director of Financial Aid at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi, where she brings a decade of experience in financial aid, alongside an additional ten years in various roles within higher education. Jaime currently serves as President of Mississippi MASFAA and is actively engaged with SASFAA by serving on the board and assisting with training in FAAC prep courses and the New Aid Officer Workshop. In December 2025, she earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her previous education includes a master’s degree in higher education administration from Louisiana State University and a bachelor of business administration from Loyola University New Orleans. Born and raised in New Orleans, Jaime now enjoys life in rural southern Mississippi, where she lives with her husband, daughter, four dogs, two cats, and a lively flock of chickens.

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Executive Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Georgia Institute of Technology

About:

Katie Conrad, FAAC®, is the Executive Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid at the Georgia Institute of Technology. With a career spanning roles at Midway University, Miami University, and Florida International University, she has dedicated her higher education career to financial aid. Katie is deeply engaged in professional associations, having served as president of KASFAA and FASFAA, and currently as vice president of SASFAA. She is also active with NASFAA through test development, exam prep facilitation, and the Rapid Response Network Taskforce. Mentorship and collaboration are central to her work—she credits her own mentors for inspiring her leadership journey and now gives back by mentoring others. Katie is passionate about advancing the profession, supporting colleagues, and ensuring students have access to higher education opportunities.

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AVP of Financial Assistance and Student Employment, University of Miami

About:

Coming Soon!

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Senior Assistant Director of Scholarships, University of Georgia

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Lori Whitaker serves as the Senior Assistant Director of Scholarships at the University of Georgia. With twenty years of experience in financial aid, she is dedicated to supporting student success through effective scholarship management and equitable access to educational opportunities. Lori is committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals by ensuring that financial resources are both accessible and impactful.

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Associate Vice President for Financial Planning, Mercer University

About:

Maria Hammett, PhD, is the Associate Vice President for Financial Planning at Mercer University, where she has served for more than 30 years leading financial aid strategy, compliance, and student-centered funding initiatives across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and working-adult programs.  Maria is a past president of GASFAA and has chaired professional training and webinar series focused on regulatory changes and best practices. She is passionate about financial wellness, service innovation, and using AI responsibly to improve efficiency and student support. Maria earned her PhD in Education Leadership in 2023, studying andragogy in nontraditional college settings, and brings an energizing, practical approach to helping teams “put the fun in funding.”

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 Institutional Compliance Specialist, Tennessee Higher Education Commission

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Marian Dill is the Institutional Compliance Specialist at Tennessee Higher Education Commission

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Senior Policy Analyst, NASFAA

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Megan Walter is a senior policy analyst at NASFAA. In her role, Megan interprets federal student aid legislation and regulations for NASFAA’s members, works with NASFAA’s members to develop policy recommendations, and provides feedback to policymakers on legislative and regulatory proposals. Before joining NASFAA in 2017, Megan worked in financial aid administration for six years, having held roles in the financial aid offices at Alvernia University and the University of Cincinnati, and earned her master’s degree in Higher Education. 

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Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts, Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies

About:

Linda Aubrey-Higgins serves as the Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts at Wake Forest University's School of Professional Studies and has a distinguished 20-year career in financial aid administration, student support services, and budget management.  Throughout her career, Linda has worked with diverse student populations at multiple universities, where she has provided leadership and strategic planning and managed complex financial aid budgets totaling more than $20 million, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring students and families have access to the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about higher education financing.  Linda’s academic credentials include a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Augusta State University. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Ministry at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Additionally, she maintains an active membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  Despite her numerous achievements, Ms. Higgins holds her most treasured role as that of a mother to her beloved daughter, Layla. They share a passion for watching football games, traveling to Layla’s gymnastics competitions, shopping, singing, and enjoying Christmas movies together.

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Executive Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, University of Georgia

About:

Nancy Ferguson is a seasoned leader in student financial aid, currently serving as Executive Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of Georgia. With over 27 years of experience in higher education administration, she has dedicated her career to helping students access the financial resources they need to achieve their academic goals. A UGA alumna with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Education from the Mary Frances Early College of Education, Nancy was among the nation’s first Certified Financial Aid Administrators. Her career spans a range of roles in financial aid, giving her extensive expertise in policy, compliance, and student advocacy.  As Executive Director, Nancy leads a dynamic team overseeing scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Her leadership has driven innovative initiatives to improve office operations and enhance student services. Recognized for her student-centered approach, Nancy is committed to breaking financial barriers and expanding educational access for students from all backgrounds. An active member of state, regional, and national professional financial aid organizations and a sought-after conference speaker, Nancy continues to advocate for equitable higher education policy and practice.

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Student Lending Relationship Manager, Citizens Bank

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Preston Dodson currently serves as a Student Lending Relationship Manager with Citizens Bank, where he supports institutions across North and South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Prior to joining Citizens in December of 2024, Preston dedicated 13 years to the Financial Aid Office at Campbell University in North Carolina, progressing through a variety of roles. His journey began as a Graduate Assistant working with the Federal Perkins Loan and culminated in his role as Director of Financial Aid, a position he held for the final 3.5 years of his tenure at Campbell.  

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Vice Provost of Enrollment, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

About:

Rachelle Feldman is a passionate advocate for affordability and access and an experienced leader in enrollment, financial aid, and financial education.  Most recently she served as the vice provost for enrollment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she led admissions, scholarships and student aid, the Carolina College Advising corps, the university registrar and enrollment and student success strategy. Since joining Carolina in 2016, she has advanced access and affordability initiatives, including the Blue Sky Scholarship, the Kessler Scholar program for rural, first generation students, and the Carolina Financial Well-Being Center. Previously, she served as assistant vice chancellor for financial aid and scholarships at UC Berkeley. Rachelle is currently a member of the SASFAA Executive Board, as well as serving as vice-chair of the National Endowment for Financial Education

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Associate Director of Financial Aid, Hampden-Sydney College

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Rosa began her financial aid career in 1998.  Prior to that she worked in the banking industry for 7 years.  Her first financial aid position was at Longwood University, a small 4-year public institution.  After 8 ½ wonderful years, she found her forever home at Hampden-Sydney College, a private, all-male school in rural Virginia. Hampden-Sydney is one of the oldest colleges in the US, and is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary.   She currently serves as the Associate Director of Financial Aid. Her duties include:  ISIR reviews, awarding, Verifications, SAP, R2T4,  Federal Work Study reconciliation, annual and endowed scholarship designations, Veterans benefits, dumpster fire prevention, and ‘other duties as assigned.’  Durning her 27 years as a member of the Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, she has served on numerous committees, presented at conferences, and has served on the state board for 4 years.  She currently serves as President-elect.  Outside of financial aid, Rosa has been happily married for over 35 years, and has 2 grown children, both of whom were married during the past year.  She doesn't have any grandchildren yet, but is looking forward to that role.  She plays the piano for her church, and serves as their treasurer.  

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Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Coastal Carolina University

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Dr. Samantha Hicks is a Certified Financial Aid Administrator who currently works as the Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid & Scholarships at Coastal Carolina University.  Dr. Hicks holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a Doctoral Degree in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership.  Her journey in financial aid began as a work-study student at CCU in 2007, where her personal experience with financial aid opened doors to higher education and ignited her passion for the field. By 2010, she joined the team as a financial aid counselor. Her doctoral research focused on financial stress and literacy among undergraduates, reflecting her commitment to addressing financial challenges in student populations. Samantha has served in various roles in SCASFAA, SASFAA, and NASFAA.  She is the current President-Elect for SCASFAA and encourages everyone to get involved.  She resides in Conway, South Carolina, and loves cooking for her husband, Jamal, and their daughter, Francena Joy. 

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Assistant Director for Scholarships, University of Georgia

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Shelby Jarrett serves as the Assistant Director for Scholarships at the University of Georgia, where she oversees need-based scholarship initiatives with a particular focus on the Georgia Commitment Scholarship program, supporting the state’s highest-risk students. She also collaborates with departments across campus to guide the effective administration of their scholarship awards. With a background rooted in student access and success, Shelby is passionate about removing financial barriers and empowering students to thrive at UGA. She holds a B.A. in History and Anthropology and an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, both from the University of Georgia.

My Speaking Sessions:

Director of Financial Aid, Central Alabama Community College

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Stephanie has been working in financial aid for over 20 years. She began her financial aid career as a work-study student years ago. She left financial aid for a brief time following graduation to teach high school and open her own financial services business. After a while, her alma mater, Jacksonville State University (JSU) in Jacksonville, AL, came calling with a request to return to the Financial Aid Office to ‘help out’ during a peak season. Needless to say, how could she not help out? After helping out, she decided to stay at JSU. She left JSU after 14+ years to accept a position with FA Solutions, LLC as a consultant for public, private, 2-year, and 4-year schools across the nation. Her love of school information systems and financial aid along with her NASFAA Credentials and being the first in Alabama to earn the NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator designation, allowed her to broaden her knowledge base to assist in training staff, instructors, and administration within and outside of the financial aid office on the processes and effects of federal financial aid on students and the institution. Today, she serves as the Director of Financial Aid at Central Alabama Community College.

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Director of Community Engagement, NASFAA

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Tim serves as NASFAA's Director of Community Engagement, where he works to create a sense of belonging and community for NASFAA members. Tim works closely with internal and external partners to ensure an experience that helps NASFAA members find their people. Before joining NASFAA, Tim worked for more than 10 years in higher education serving in student housing, financial aid, and community development. He is a proud graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh and Shepherd University, with a master's degree in College Student Development and Administration.

My Speaking Sessions:

Director of Financial Aid, Western Governors University

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Vanessa is the Director of Financial Aid at Western Governors University (WGU), operating out of Salt Lake City, Utah.  She has over 12 years of financial aid and higher education experience and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and gender studies from the University of Utah as well as her master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. Vanessa has served her state and regional associations (UASFAA and RMASFAA) as a presenter, instructor, committee member/chair, and elected officer – most recently stepping into the RMASFAA President role for 25-26. She has had the honor of serving at the national level as well, most recently on NASFAA’s Advancing the Profession Task Force and 2024 Conference Planning Task Force. Vanessa is passionate about facilitating effective and compassionate leadership, a culture of responsible borrowing, and student-centric decision-making. She is an advocate for continual learning, professional development, and change management with a fondness for documentation. When she’s not working, Vanessa enjoys fostering kittens and supporting local art.

My Speaking Sessions:

Deputy Director, SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission

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Zach Christian is the Deputy Director of the Tuition Grants Commission.  Prior to joining the Commission in 2016, he served as a financial aid counselor at his alma mater, Winthrop University.  Zach currently serves on the SASFAA Conference Committee as the South Carolina rep..  In additional to his involvement with SASFAA, Zach is the Past President Council Taskforce Chair for SCASFAA, is the current Conference Co-Chair for the National Association of State Student Grant & Aid Programs (NASSGAP) and serves on the State Advocacy Network with NASFAA.  Zachary earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and History from Winthrop University in 2014, a Database Analyst Certificate from Midlands Technical College in 2017, and achieved the FAAC® designation through NASFAA’s Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program in 2024.  Zach and his husband, Joseph, just celebrated 11 years of marriage this past October, and have three spoiled furbabies: their dogs, Hashbrown & Abby, and their grumpy cat, Wayne.

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Title & Institution 

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