Summer Institute & Leadership Symposium

The MASFAA Summer Institute & Leadership symposium was held June 1-5 on the campus of Indianapolis University Purdue University Indianapolis.  MASFAA President Aaron Steffens opened the conference by welcoming attendees and stressing the goals and values of MASFAA.  As part of a cost cutting and networking opportunity, MASFAA held the spring board meeting in conjunction with the institute.  Board members were able to share their experience and knowledge with attendees.
Seventy-two financial aid professionals attended SI and were divided into two educational tracks focusing on the 11 training areas of the NASFAA CORE module.  Each course was taught by a NASFAA certified instructor, allowing all attendees to sit for the NASFAA credentialing exams.

Twenty emerging MASFAA leaders attended the leadership symposium.  Faculty for the symposium were an all-star cast of leaders throughout the region and the topics covered gave insight into what it takes to be a leader not only in the office, but also within professional organizations.  Participants began their journey looking back on work and life events which led to their current roles.  They were then led through a series of sessions touching on leadership theories and best practices.  The final session of the symposium was an opportunity to reflect on where they are going with their own leadership voyage and chart out a course.  Students were able to learn not only from the faculty, but also other students who provided tips and tricks they use to be an effective leader.

As with any MASFAA event, it wasn’t all work and no play.  Monday night participants competed in a game of Minute to Win It, which was won by the MASFAA all-star team.  Tuesday night the groups went to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.  Wednesday night, people divided into groups and spread out over Indianapolis for dinner, with about half of the folks later meeting up for some duckpin bowling.  Thursday night was Trivia night.  If you have ever seen financial aid administrators challenge the federal regulations, then you should have seen them in all their fury in the trivia challenge!

The Summer Institute and Leadership committees would like to congratulate all of the attendees on their completion of the program.  We are also excited to follow participants as they sit for their NASFAA credentials.  Information about next year’s Summer Institute will be available early in the fall.