Travels with Nick

Submitted by Nick Prewett, MASFAA Past President

Representing MASFAA on the state conference circuit has been a highlight of my service as president.  As you know, MASFAA consists of nine states and the MASFAA presidents split up the
states and visit three conferences per year.  I was even lucky enough to visit one state twice!  Through my travels, I drove 2,080 miles and flew 7,642 miles.  I had the distinct pleasure of attending four 50th anniversary parties and celebrating all things that are financial aid association related.  I thought I would share something that I will always treasure from my state visits.

Indiana (January 2017): I will recall Indiana as the first state that I visited.  The memory I will always treasure is cruising around greater Indy with Alex DeLonis in his sweet vanilla smelling car as fluffy flakes of snow fell from the sky.

Illinois (April 2017): This was an exciting conference in the suburbs of Chicago.  By far, Illinois had a unique set-up for snacks at a conference with different types of beef jerky.  A shout out to Michelle Trame for letting me ride in the third row (or torture row) of her SUV.  I am sure that my back and I will always remember that.

Minnesota (May 2017): When I think of Minnesota I think of lakes, so of course this was held at Madden’s on Gull Lake.  I am not sure you could get much more stereotypical Minnesota than having a conference on a lake, with pontoon boats, fried walleye, glow in the dark golf, bingo, and a buffet of hot dishes.

West Virginia (November 2017): Any visit to West Virginia is not complete without listening to some John Denver.  I will never forget attending the board meeting and someone saying that the board is just like Mayberry, where everyone has different hats and they trade them around the table each year.  What a fun place to visit is Charleston.  Who doesn’t love Karaoke at a conference?

Missouri (November 2017): This was by far the largest state conference that I attended and had pomp and circumstance associated more with the Academy Awards than a conference.  There was a red carpet walk, photographers, tuxedos, and stars of the past, present, and future.

Michigan (January 2018): The Henry Hotel in Dearborn overlooks the Ford offices and is in a great location.  This was the 2nd 50th that I was able to attend.  Professional casino games, great charities, and cool sessions.  I could even see Canada from my hotel room.

Iowa (April 2018): Iowa stands out for their 50th, not because they brought back their past presidents, but because they also brought back their first IASFAA president.  Dueling pianos led by the son of a former financial aid director lead you to one heck of a celebration.  I also learned that in Iowa adding a lime to Busch Light was a way to “make it a classy beer.”

Ohio (October 2018): 50th parties and casino themes seem to be a thing.  OASFAA threw a formal night and had their past presidents share some inspirational quotes and inside jokes that made a number of people blush.  As a first, the entertainment crew had so much fun that they stayed late at no charge.

Wisconsin (April 2019): When I heard that WASFAA was going to be held in Green Bay, I hoped there was one activity that we’d have, so of course, we were able to tour Lambeau field!  Financial aid folks at a football stadium is one heck of a party.  WASFAA had a number of new attendees and the future of their association looks bright.  If you were curious, there was a lot of cheese to be found at the conference.   

Iowa (April 2019): IASFAA was worth a second trip to discuss the finer points of financial aid.  I learned a great deal about Bacon, the maple kind, or as most people call it Bacon.

It was a great pleasure to serve MASFAA and meet so many great people throughout the MASFAA region.  I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity and become active in our association and you too may have a once in a lifetime experience.

My experience as a MASFAA Exchange Participant by Gisella Baker

I had the privilege of attending the Minnesota State Conference at the Madden’s On Gull Lake in Brainerd, MN recently and I can only say “Wow!” to that experience.  Even before getting to the conference, Meredith Hauer and Dick Battig made sure I was ready to go and experience their awesome northern hospitalityJ  Then Gayle Yamry, as MAFAA President, and her association members made me feel very welcomed and not as an ‘outsider’ during my entire visit.  Thus to all of you, Thank you so much!

The MASFAA Exchange Program allows State Presidents (or state representatives) to experience how another MASFAA state conducts its conferences.  This is not just as a way to “spy” and “borrow” ideas on how to enhance our own state association conference programs, but also as a way to network with other fellow colleagues, absorb more financial aid knowledge, expand leadership relationships and have fun while at it!

I have to congratulate the MAFAA Program and Site committees for putting together a great conference!  The location was so beautiful, relaxed and made the conference flow so well.  The presenters did a great job, including those that did their first NASFAA Credential Course as the pre-conference agenda.  David Bartnicki, the federal trainer, made his presentations very unique and loved how personable, knowledgeable and funny he was.  He even sang and performed for us twice at the end of his general sessions (not to also mention he incorporated financial aid related jokes into his presentations).  A true southern personality!

This visit is another perk that I got to enjoy because once upon a time I had the courage to say “Yes!” to volunteering for my state association and then for MASFAA.  I strongly encourage you to consider volunteering first at whatever you feel comfortable with, and then taking a leap of faith and say “Yes!” when being asked to be put on an elected ballot.  What you receive in return far outweighs the additional time you spend fulfilling volunteering duties, especially the long lasting relationships and friendships near and far.

Thank you IASFAA for electing me as your 2017-18 president!  Thank you MASFAA for sponsoring me to participate in this Exchange Program!  It was a very memorable experience <3

Gisella Baker 

Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, Iowa

2017-18 IASFAA President

2016-17 MASFAA Awards Chair

Leadership Spotlight - Gisella Baker

Name, title, school, role in MASFAA: 

Gisella Baker, Financial Aid Director, Hawkeye Community College.  Awards Committee Chair

How did you get started in financial aid? 

After working for one year in a EOC-TRIO program for the University of Northern Iowa

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

After one of our Directors (Lois Mulbrook) volunteered my name to be in the MASFAA Program Committee many years ago; and then suggested I did the same for our state J

What advice do you have for someone new to financial aid, and may be interested in becoming more involved in state and regional associations? 

To first talk to their immediate supervisors about their career aspirations and wish to be involved in either or both associations.  Chances are that they have volunteered in the past or at least know who to connect that person with to get more information.

What financial aid issue is keeping you from falling asleep at night? 

What if I have missed something that we need to be tracking or doing, and are not??!!

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

Spending time with my family and outdoors.

If you had to describe yourself in only three words, what would those words be and why? Adventurous; Faithful; Caring

November Proclaimed Financial Aid Awareness Month in Iowa

On October 17, a group of Iowa financial aid administrators gathered at the State Capitol in Des Moines to witness Governor Terry E. Branstad sign a proclamation proclaiming the month of November to be Financial Aid Awareness Month (FAAM) in Iowa.  The change of having the FAFSA available beginning October 1 has also changed the timing of promoting financial aid and FAFSA filing.

In the past, February had been proclaimed as Financial Aid Awareness Month in Iowa.  In recognition of FAAM, IASFAA promotes a challenge among Iowa’s colleges and universities to use unique and creative ideas to promote FAFSA filing on their campuses.  The winning campus receives a traveling trophy, Freida the Flamingo, to proudly display and a gift card for the office to use for a fun lunch.  The last winner of the trophy and gift card was Coe College in Dubuque!

With the signing of the proclamation now occurring in the fall rather than during the dead of winter, one financial aid administrator commented that it was nice to travel to the capitol and not have to worry about icy roads or snow!  Plus, no coats were required with the balmy fall that Iowa has been experiencing.  And now that November has arrived, the campuses are once again promoting FAFSA filing with the hopes of being the next winner of Freida!

Iowa Delegation

Because the state legislators are not in session during the month of October, the timing of the signing allowed for the group to be able to do a self-guided tour of the capitol building.  A visit to see the House and Senate chambers allowed them to stand on those respective floors rather than viewing from above in the gallery.  A decision to visit the state library in the capitol to take in the views of downtown Des Moines resulted in an impromptu presentation given by the state librarian showing some historical law books, including one from 1787 that has John Hancock and Samuel Adams’ names listed.

Promoting FAFSA filing is the first step in the financial aid process and IASFAA is thankful to Governor Branstad and the State of Iowa for recognizing how important this step is!  

Kristi Fuller

Assistant Director-Continuing Student Programs

Office of Student Financial Planning

Drake University

Iowa Update

Submitted by Julie Haack, State Representative
 

Summer is here and even though the halls are quiet, we are plugging away preparing for fall and what early FAFSA may bring to our campuses! 

There has been a lot going on here in Iowa over the winter and spring.  Our Community Outreach committee organized Governor Terry Branstad’s signing of a proclamation making February Financial Aid Awareness Month.  Fourteen IASFAA members attended the signing ceremony which was held at the Capitol Building in Des Moines.

Jennifer Schroeder, Chair of Professional Development, organized the Director’s Drive-in Workshop, an event held each February.  This year’s event was held in Ames, Iowa on the campus of Iowa State University.  The event brings together Directors from around the state to discuss current events and issues.  

Elections were held in January and those slated to serve under new President Chris Ditter (Drake University) for the 16-17 term are:  Gisella Baker (Hawkeye Community College)– President-Elect; Ean Freels (DMACC)– Vice President; Jennifer Schroeder (Iowa State) – Secretary; Chad Peters (DMACC) – Treasurer Elect; and Tristan Lynn (Iowa College Aid Commission), Delegate at Large.  We thank each and every one that agreed to run for these elected positions and give their time to IASFAA!

Gisella Baker began her role as President-Elect by attending the NASFSAA Leadership conference in Washington D.C. at the end of February. Chris Ditter attended the Michigan state conference January 31-February 3 as part of the MASFAA State Exchange program.

Our spring conference was held in April in Johnston, Iowa and we hosted Thomas Ratliff, our MASFAA President-Elect, and had the benefit of having Megan McClean Coval representing NASFAA, and Zack Goodwin from the DOE as our spring federal trainer.  All three sat on a town hall panel and answered questions from our membership.  Zack Goodwin also held a one-on-one session that was very informative.  

Pre-conference programming was a NASFAA Credential Opportunity on Cost of Attendance.  Another NASFAA credential training was held on May 17^th on Direct Loans.  

In June, Chris Ditter will hold her Summer Retreat as incoming President.

Planning for our fall IASFAA conference is underway.  It will be held in Sioux City, Iowa October 26-28.

My two terms of representing Iowa as MASFAA State Rep will come to an end in October as Past President Kristi Fuller takes the reins.  I have enjoyed my time serving IASFAA and MASFAA as part of the Executive Council and will stay involved at the state level as current co-chair of our Program Committee.  

Have a great summer!

What's Special About October 4th?

So what is so special about October 4th?

On October 4, 1911, the first public elevator opened

October 4, 1957, the classic family show, Leave it to Beaver debuted on CBS

33 years after Leave it to Beaver debuted, the soapy drama Beverly Hills 90210 premiered - certainly a departure from the innocent days of the Beave

In Sweden, they celebrate National cinnamon Roll Day - those Swedes really know how to make a party out of anything!

But the most important event that happening on October 4th is the opening day of the 2015 MASFAA conference, “Growing Connections for Success”, at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center! The Conference Planning Committee along with many other volunteers are putting together a MASFAA conference that’s promised to be educational, informational and full of fun activities!

There will be a pre-conference NASFAA credentialing session on Student Eligibility. This is a great opportunity to get credentialed in person with your MASFAA friends and colleagues.

Hear Pete the Planner, an award winning comedian help us understand “Why College Savings Has Nothing to do with Money”.

And there are many more exciting conference highlights to be reviewed on the MASFAA Mini-site!

The Iowa folks have also planned some fun entertainment for Sunday and Monday nights, too. Everyone is so “Happy” to be hosting MASFAA in Coralville Iowa! 

Registration is open so go check out the MASFAA Mini-site today!

Visiting Iowa

(by Val Meyers, Michigan Representative)

What a great welcome I had to the IASFAA Conference in central Iowa on April 16-17, 2015. Held at the Stoney Creek Inn in a suburb of Des Moines, I was greeted at the door by a wooden bear holding a WELCOME sign, and it definitely was a good omen of things to come, as I was treated to wonderful Iowa hospitality on my visit there, representing Michigan.

The theme of the Iowa conference was “Planting Seeds for Success” – a clever precursor to the theme of the MASFAA Conference to be held in Iowa later in the year (“Growing Connections for Success”). The conference committee chairs were helpful and welcoming, and the session they asked me to present fit in well with the overall emphasis of the conference.

I was able to teach as well as learn, showing the people I spoke with how Michiganders carry their home state maps with them everywhere they go. If you have never lived in Michigan, or known someone from the state, this will be your introduction to the concept of the Michigan Hand Map.

There are several goals inherent in the MASFAA President’s Exchange program, from meeting and networking with new people within the MASFAA region, to sharing ideas by attending and presenting interest sessions, to experiencing how the program and site committees organize their conference. I posted to the MSFAA Facebook page the IASFAA twist on the charity silent auction – the mystery gift! Bidders know only the donor and the minimum bid, so whatever they win will be a surprise. 

 
I also enjoyed the “speed dating” Town Hall – a number of hot topics are announced before the conference, and attendees are asked to bring their questions and best practices. The sessions are moderated but move quickly while giving everyone the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. I will definitely ask my conference committee to consider adopting this as a session at future conferences in Michigan.

I need to thank the Presidents (Julie Haack, outgoing president, and Kristi Fuller, incoming president) and past-president Jen Sassman, for their help and support. Julie Dunn and Gary Adams from Program and Site were also gracious and helpful as I prepared my presentation. I am looking forward to returning to Iowa in October for the MASFAA conference and hoping to see some of these wonderful people yet again. Thank you Iowa for your warm welcome!

Val Meyers
Michigan State University
MSFAA (Michigan) President

Growing Connections for Success

(by the 2015 MASFAA Conference Local Arrangements Committee)

October 4-7 in Coralville, Iowa

This year's annual MASFAA conference will be at the Marriott Hotel, Coralville, Iowa.  We are busy planning the conference to make it fun and informative!  Continue to watch the MASFAA Moments Blog for more information and fun facts about Iowa in the future!  Whether you are driving or flying, it’s never too early to start planning your trip.  The Coralville Marriott will be providing complimentary shuttle service to/from the Eastern Iowa Airport so that is one less thing to think about!  Check out the Coralville Chamber of Commerce website to see what will be around the hotel within walking distance. You might also start contemplating things you can donate to raise money for our charity during a new and exciting way to be part of an auction!  More information on this will come to you soon!

Here’s a sample of some fun facts:

• Iowa 80 in Walcott is known as the world’s largest Truck stop
• Strawberry Point, IA is home to the largest Strawberry in the world

Iowa Update

(by Julie Haack, Iowa Representative)

It’s been a long winter and we are finally beginning to see the signs of spring and with it comes the start of a new awarding year and all the glory that comes with it! We are in the heat of it now as I’m sure all of you are!

A lot has happened here in Iowa since I last posted in December.

Our Community Outreach committee organized Governor Terry Branstad’s signing of a proclamation making February Financial Aid Awareness Month. Twenty IASFAA members attended the signing, one of the largest groups yet, to show their support.

The signing was pre-empted by the Director’s Drive-in Workshop, an event held each February in Des Moines that brings together Directors from around the state to discuss current events and issues.

Elections were held in January and those slated to serve under President-Elect Kristi Fuller for the 15-16 term are:

Chris Ditter – Drake University, President-Elect; Amy Norton – Clarke University, Vice-President; Chad Peters - DMACC, Secretary; Tristan Lynn - AIB, Treasurer-Elect; and Erick Danielson - ICAN, Delegate. We thank each and every one that agreed to run for these elected positions and give their time to IASFAA!

Kristi Fuller attended the MASFAA board meeting in my place in January, and traveled to Indiana on January 28-30 as our State Exchange representative.

Erick Danielson from ICAN and Sarah Harrington from University of Iowa will be attending the MASFAA Leadership symposium in June. And our own Chad Olson from Iowa State, our current Program Chair, will be among the faculty for this year’s MASFAA Summer Institute being held concurrently with Leadership.

Our spring conference to be held April 9th & 10th in Johnston, Iowa is right around the corner and we will be hosting Val Meyers from Michigan as our State Exchange guest. Val will also be presenting on Consumer Information at the conference. We appreciate her willingness to participate in our conference!

Have a great spring everyone!

A Visit to Indiana

(by Kristi Fuller, Iowa Representative)

During the last week of January, I was privileged to be able to attend the ISFAA (Indiana Student Financial Aid Association) Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana as part of the MASFAA State Exchange program. The theme of the conference “Sailing Away the Winter Blues” was a reminder of warmer and sunny days to come, especially during these cold and blustery days of winter. The best part was being able to return to Des Moines before we received our foot of snow!

Everyone in ISFAA was very welcoming and made me feel right at home as if I was still in Iowa! From the welcome at the airport when I arrived, to my departure from the hotel, I was always welcomed into every activity and session. I was also excited to catch up with MASFAA members from Indiana I had met at the MASFAA Leadership Symposium last year in Columbus, Ohio.

This experience reminded me of how it feels to be a newcomer at a conference and that we must always help out our newer financial aid professionals. The Indiana members were so very kind and went out of their way to introduce themselves to me and make me feel included. I found that one ISFAA member had been a mentor to a current student at Drake University, where I work, while the student had been in high school. Another member had raised her family in Iowa in the same county where I live. Some even knew a former Drake employee or two! What a fun reminder of Iowa while being in Indiana!

Being able to attend another state’s conference was a wonderful experience. Indiana President, Debbie Schumm and her Executive Board were so fun to get to know and learn from. I was able to bring back some ideas of different ways to do things, but was also reminded that no matter where we live, we all have the same rules and regulations to follow, and the same desire to help student’s fulfill their dreams of a higher education.

Thank you ISFAA for your gracious welcome and I hope to see some of you in October here in Iowa!

Kristi Fuller
Drake University
Iowa President-Elect

Conference Site: Coralville, Iowa

(by Jayne Dinse & Dick Battig, Conference Site Selection Co-Chairs)

The MASFAA Executive Council met this past week at the site of the 2015 MASFAA Annual Conference at the Marriott in Coralville, Iowa. The Conference Program and Local Arrangements committees also met to check out the facilities and the local area (and you’ll be hearing from them over the next several months).  Frankly, after a couple days in Coralville, folks were pleasantly surprised at what the location has to offer! Participants were impressed and look forward to returning in October 2015 for our annual conference.   I would suggest that you, too, begin the planning process by assuring you have the budget for you and a few of your staff to attend. Check out the site below!

For those of you viewing this post in email, click here to view the full post, which includes a video!

Here are some still images of the conference site location:

We can't wait to see you in Iowa where we'll be "Growing Connections for Success!"

Iowa Update

(by Julie Haack, MASFAA Executive Council State Representative for Iowa)

Fall is winding down here in Iowa and the weather is ramping up!  It’s feeling more like the holidays every day! 

We had a great fall conference this month here in my hometown of Davenport!  We welcomed 111 conference registrants to see What’s All the Buzz About? Fifteen of those 111 were newcomers to IASFAA!  Our Program committee did a great job of lining up interesting topics for our seasoned veterans and some 101 topics for our newcomers. 

We kicked off the conference with over 40 people attending NASFAA training on Needs Analysis, presented by Tim Kremer from University of Dubuque and Steve Loven from ICAN.  They provided a great history lesson for those who haven’t been around the block yet, and great guidance into the world of Needs Analysis!

We welcomed a few special guests as well.  We had Jesse O’Connell, a NASFAA Policy Analyst who provided us with the NASFAA update.  Byron Scott, former Training Officer for the Department of Education, provided his services on his last stop in his training role as he received a promotion in October.  We were very grateful that he was able to keep his commitment to us!  And our very own Aaron Steffens, current MASFAA President, provided us with the MASFAA update and along with his “Happy” crew, got people pumped up for MASFAA in Iowa in 2015! 

We gave out a number of awards for years of service and had 3 members who will be celebrating retirement this year.  Steve Loven from ICAN plans to retire in the spring, as well as Linda Schwinn from Capri College and Peg Julius from Kirkwood Community College.  We wish them much happiness and stress free living in their futures!

Our charity this year was the local non-profit group Quad City Scholars.  Quad City Scholars was created by local business leaders who recognized not all high school students with college potential were pursuing college degrees.  The group operates in area high schools and provides college and career exploration programs for 9^th through 12^th graders with the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities.  They run on strictly donor dollars and use those funds to provide ACT prep, scholarship assistance, mentoring, and college visits.  To help raise funds we had a live auction and a silent auction and passed around donation jars.  We surpassed even our own expectations and raised over $1,600.00 for the organization.  We were then notified that a local trust had agreed to match all donations made in November so we really were able to provide an impact for this group!  We are so grateful for all the generosity in IASFAA!

We are already on track planning for our spring 2015 conference to be held in Johnston, Iowa in April.  Hard to believe my term as President is half over!  Stay warm and Happy Holidays from Iowa!

Barb Hoffman
20 Years of Service

Chris Ditter & Carolyn Schwendeman
25 Years of Service

Ean Freel & Pam Smith
10 Years of Service

IASFAA Fall 2014 Party Pic! 

IASFAA Fall 2014 Party Pic!

IASFAA Fall 2014 Party Pic!
Mary Jo Smith & Jen Sassman

Julie Dunn
35 Years of Service

Linda Schwinn
Retiree Recognition

Peg Julius
Retiree Recognition

Robin Jennings
5 Years of Service

Scavenger Hunt Party Pic!

Scavenger Hunt Party Pic!

Scavenger Hunt Party Pic!

Scavenger Hunt Party Pic!

Scavenger Hunt Party Pic!

Shannon Amundson, Gisella Baker, Carmen Nugent, & Chad Olson
15 Years of Service

Teresa Thiede
30 Years of Service