Thanks for the Memories

Jesse, Keely, Leo, Dave, Jeff, Aesha, Keri, me (Val), Jayme, and Nicole.  Summer Institute Faculty for 2018.

As we ended Summer Institute on Friday, June 8^th, I had mixed feelings. After being away from my cats for five nights, I was really looking forward to getting home. I had a long drive ahead of me. And I was looking forward to the comforts of my own home, my own kitchen, and especially my own bed. The bunks at Capital University’s residence halls challenged the alpinist in me as I faced a bed in loft mode five feet off the floor. It was all part of the Summer Institute adventure!

I love SI for the chance I get to live and work with fellow professionals, to teach and to share insights, and to be on stage. I really enjoy leading folks through the NASFAA credential sessions, especially, but as I have told my students in the past, I don’t just teach to the test. Part of the fun is in using the topic to discuss real-life scenarios.  I found that learning SAP or PJ is easier if you can also talk about situations you have encountered. This is the opportunity to take advantage of the experts around you, and I enjoy hearing the stories of the folks in the class, whether students or faculty, as much as I enjoy talking about my experiences in 30+ years of aid. Thank you, so many of you, for the comments you made that added to the richness of the learning experience for all of us.

After two years of SI, I venture to say that I have (one of) the most famous cats in MASFAA. Many folks now know the story of Isis, who had her name before the terrorists, and who refused to change her name because that would mean “letting the terrorists win”. Instead, she basks in pride in being named for the Egyptian goddess, and is always happy when I come home and tell her that another sixty or seventy people now know all about her.

We had plenty of fun this time around, as well. Kudos to the MASFAA Co-chairs and the Delegate at Large (Aesha Engeldinger, David Peterson, and Emily Haynam, respectively) for the night at Pins Mechanical. Duckpin bowling is much more fun that standard bowling, and the pinball machines, jenga, and other diversions were pretty darn cool! The Summer Institute group was joined by members of the MASFAA Executive Board who were in town for their meeting, and it was great for me seeing many of these colleagues again.

All in all, Capitalizing on Community was a great summer vacation for me. I am looking forward to staying in touch with many of the folks who came forward to meet me, or asked for my card. I hope that all of the participants learned something about their profession and found new successful experience. 

Thanks, MASFAA, for Summer Institute.

            --- Val Meyers

How to Advocate for the HEA

 By Amy Glynn, VP of Financial Aid and Community Initiatives

Tensions in higher education are running high. For the first time ever, society is beginning to question its value. College enrollment is down. And, with the anticipated reduction in high school graduates, schools will continue to have to fight harder for each new student. Disruption of the education and funding models is no longer a question of if, but instead when, it will occur. With the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) on the table, now is an ideal time to make sure your voice is being heard.

A Topic Too Important for Our Insecurities

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., and speak with staff members on Capitol Hill about the future of financial aid. This was a completely new experience for me—and one that I never thought I would take part in. You can ask my husband: Politics and the legislative process have always been his thing; not mine. If you are more like me, the idea of advocating in Washington may be overwhelming, nerve-racking, and even cause you to have self-doubt. A bit of a perfectionist—as I think most financial aid professionals are—it’s hard to go into new situations where there are so many unknowns.

However, it is my hope that you will overcome those feelings—as I did—to help advocate for students and to continue to shape the future. Here are five things I learned during my visit that I think (hope) will help you find the courage to speak up in D.C.

1.      This Is Just the First Step in Building a Relationship   

No relationship of value has only one interaction. This was probably the single-best piece of advice I received (Thank you, NASFAA President, Justin Draeger!). You are not looking to sway opinion in a single meeting. Instead, you are working to build relationships—and future opportunities—with staff members and elected officials. The purpose is to introduce yourself as a relevant and credible leader in your area.

Your goal for that first meeting is to have this interaction be the first of many; to be someone who comes to mind in the future as a subject matter expert and resource. In doing this, know your audience and its agenda. Try to use your alignment with them in your favor and frame your talking points around things that are important to both of you.

2.      You Know More Than They Do

Part of relationship-building is about credibility-building. Remember that you are the expert. You know a thousand times more than the person you are talking to about financial aid, college affordability, and the student experience.

Yes, I know that many people who sit on education committees have previously worked in higher education. But I would challenge you to find a single one who has experience in the Financial Aid Office. They need professionals like you to share insights on what is going on in your world—so they know what is, and is not, working.

You have a responsibility to your students and your institution to share your knowledge with the individuals who are developing policy that shapes our industry. As the expert, it is your responsibility to frame your opinions in a nice, neat gift box—topped with a bow. Remember to keep things at a relatively high level. Otherwise, you will lose people—and that doesn’t help you build those all-important relationships.

No matter how excited you get about calculating R2T4 or the intricacies of a credit hour, your excitement will be lost on those you are meeting with. Talk to them in a way that makes your insights easy to digest.

3.      They Work for You

Those people you’re meeting with? They’re elected officials—and they have an obligation to listen to their bosses. You are one of those bosses. At work, we have an obligation meet with our employees to ensure that they are staying on track. Your meetings in Washington should be no different.

Elected officials need to be reminded of, and educated on, the expectations of their constituents. Even under the best circumstances, elected officials can get it wrong. Though well-intentioned, poor interactions with representatives of the industries they are regulating can lead to unintended consequences that are long-lasting.

4.      Take Comfort in Numbers

Maybe it’s just me, but the idea of attending meetings like this by myself was daunting. I worried that I was not going to connect quickly—or that I would forget what I wanted to say and there would be awkward silence. Finding someone willing to attend meetings with you can alleviate some of this stress.

Ensure that you pick your partner wisely. Knowing that there is a second person to lean on for ideas, examples, and support can significantly reduce your anxiety level. Identify someone whom you mesh well with and who holds similar opinions and ideas. Doing this will give you a partner and a source of feedback for improving your interactions in the future.

Besides the emotional support and backup, it’s nice to have someone to talk to while waiting on security and traveling between appointments. Navigating Capitol Hill can be a little overwhelming.

5.      You Are in the Driver’s Seat

You asked for a meeting because you have something to say. There is a concern, point of view, or opinion you want to make sure is expressed. You are the one who is in control of the agenda of this meeting and others are there to listen and ask questions.

Just remember that your meeting will be relatively short, normally 15–30 minutes, so your agenda does not need to be long or overly formal. Go into it with two or three key things you want to articulate. If this is an initial relationship-building meeting, make sure you are discussing the things that are important to you—and are most likely to be supported by the individuals you are talking to.

And, when all else fails, make sure you keep it simple. Politicians do not care about the minutia of aid administration. You need to instead speak to them in terms they will understand and appreciate. Get out of the forest so you can see the trees (and the cherry blossoms!) and you will be fine.

A proven leader in higher education, Amy Glynn spent more than a decade in financial aid, ensuring products and services were in compliance with Federal Title IV regulations while meeting the highest service levels possible. Today she is the Vice President of Financial Aid & Community Initiatives at CampusLogic.  She earned her Master of Science in Higher Education from Walden University

Leadership Spotlight - Aesha Engeldinger

Aesha Engeldinger, Assistant Director at Illinois Tech. Co-chair of the MASFAA professional development committee. I’m also a member of several committees for the Illinois association, and am a member of a NASFAA working group to help students affected by school closures.

How did you get started in financial aid?

After I graduated from college, I found myself working in campus housing. After a few years, the vice provost of admission and financial aid invited me to transfer over to his team, so I accepted. That was seven years ago; the rest, as they say, is history!

How did you first become involved in your state and regional associations?

I joined as soon as possible once I transferred to financial aid. I’ve been involved in some sort of organization since I was 11 years old, but during my time in housing that has fallen by the wayside, so I missed it. I was very nervous and shy when I attended ILASFAA for the first time, so I decided I would ask people what committees they’d been involved with, and which were their favorites, both as a way to come out of my shell and to learn more about where I might become involved. From that I joined the diversity issues committee right away, and have been actively involved since.

Why were you interested in a MASFAA leadership role?

I like to be of service when and where I can, and it certainly helps to be surrounded by a group of folks who work so diligently to help students on their journey through college. By volunteering I can help to keep our association strong. I also really enjoy hearing about what is happening in other states or institutions, understanding the differences, and also how each of our institutions fulfills their commitment to students.

What advice do you have for someone new to financial aid?

Be patient with yourself. There is a learning curve to financial aid, and lots of intricacies (which is why one of the most consistent answers you’ll hear from a FAA is “it depends”). Ask questions. Familiarize yourself with ethical conduct in financial aid, and endeavor to conduct yourself in a manner that is beyond reproach. Understand difference and implicit bias—remember that not everyone’s situation is the same, and that no two students’ journey to where they are now will ever be identical.

Be patient with families as well. I was very involved in music while in school, and a choral conductor once reminded us that although we’ve been rehearsing a program for the entire semester, the audience will only hear it once. I try to apply that when working with students and families—though I’ve answered this question a thousand times (maybe even just that day), it may well be the first time the other person has heard the answer.

What advice do you have for someone interested in becoming more involved in MASFAA?

Identify a committee or two you might be interested in participating in, and reach out to the chair to find out more about what they do. Are you interested in helping in an area you already have a good foundation in, or do you wish to contribute in a new way? If you have a supervisor who is reluctant to your participation, consider how being involved might help you in your day to day work.

Have you ever presented at a MASFAA Conference? What did you present about and how did you get involved in presenting?

I have not, but presenting at MASFAA and eventually NASFAA is one of many of my career goals!

Have you ever volunteered with NASFAA? Could you tell us about the experience?

I’m currently on the Assisting Displaced Students Working Group, and have been involved with that since March 2017. This group of financial aid administrators has been assisting students from Corinthians, ITT Tech, and other closed institutions to help them figure out next steps. When the Department stopped reviewing borrower defense claims, it became more frustrating for both the students and some of us volunteering, but it has been very rewarding to help folks make sense of what options they have in the aftermath of their school’s closing. I’ve also met a great group of people as a result!

What keeps you motivated when you are having a difficult day at the office?

Helping students get the information that will help them be successful and make informed decisions is a great feeling. If I’ve been able to make a student or parent feel at ease, or completed an appeal, or advocated for a policy change that might reduce the burden on a student, it’s helps to put things into perspective.

What do you enjoy doing when you are outside the aid office?

I love to travel—my sense of wanderlust never seems quite satiated, and hoping to hop over to Europe again by the end of the year—if you ever need a travel buddy, I’m your gal! I also often have a book at the ready or a podcast playing (any other podcast lovers out there?). I volunteer as an usher at theaters in and around Chicago because I love to take in a good play. And I’m usually up for a tabletop game or two!

Any final thoughts?

My involvement in both ILASFAA and MASFAA has been more satisfying than I would have guessed, and has made my career more enjoyable than I would have imagined. I have met one of my besties through financial aid, too (shout out to Laura at St. Xavier!), and some of my faves are folks I’ve met through MASFAA (hey roomie, hey Cubbie!) I encourage anyone, regardless of how long you’ve been working in financial aid, to volunteer—these organizations are stronger for your input and perspective, and I’m happy to be a resource to anyone with questions!