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.

MASFAA 2018-19 Planning and Event Updates

Submitted by Marvin Smith, MASFAA President, Executive Director of Student Financial Services, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Dear MASFAA Friends and Colleagues:

I hope all is well and you are ready for the holiday season.  Your MASFAA leadership has been busy since the wonderful conference in Minneapolis this past October. A lot of good work is occurring. Some of the highlights…

• MASFAA has a new “MASFAA Moments” YouTube Channel.

• MASFAA is planning a monthly training and development webinar series to begin in January, 2019. Members are encouraged to submit your ideas regarding our webinar series name. Stay tuned to your favorite MASFAA social media channel for more details.

• MASFAA is planning for the 2019 Summer Institute and Leadership Symposium to be held at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) June 3-7, 2019 around the theme “Soar to Your Future”.

• MASFAA’s 2019 Annual Conference will be held at the Chicago Lombard Westin on October 6-9, 2019. I encourage members to check out the inspiring 2019 MASFAA Annual Conference video built around our conference theme “Champions of Tomorrow”.

• Nick Prewett, Financial Aid Director at the University of Missouri and immediate past MASFAA president represented MASFAA at the Ohio fall conference in Columbus, OH where OASFAA celebrated their 50^th anniversary (!). OASFAA invited back all the past presidents and had them line up across the stage and give a bit of a background story for OASFAA.  Nick noted that he won thousands of dollars at their casino night. If anyone needs any money contact Nick Prewett.

• Michele Trame, Financial Aid Director at the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana and MASFAA president-elect represented MASFAA at the Missouri fall conference. MASFAP was held at the Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort in Lake Ozark, MO where apparently Missouri folks go to get re-energized. Michele got to hang out with Nick Prewett since Nick never misses a conference opportunity to play games of skill and chance like BINGO and have fun with colleagues.

• I had the pleasure of representing MASFAA at the West Virginia fall conference. Note this conference was actually held as a joint conference at the Rocky Gap Resort in Flintstone, MD in combination with the Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC area financial aid associations (referred to as the “Tri-State” association). WVASFAA made me feel special and welcome. The combination conference worked nicely. I will always remember this conference fondly—it was great to connect with friends and colleagues.

• We’ve had more than fifty MASFAA members volunteer to serve on a committee or taskforce. If you volunteered and have not been plugged into a volunteer opportunity please send me an email (Marvin Smith, mlsiii@iupui.edu).

• Finally, I’m pleased to announce that MASFAA has begun to develop a new Strategic Plan that will be led by past MASFAA presidents Sara Beth Holman (Lawrence University in Wisconsin) and Dick Battig (Model College of Hair Design in Minnesota). Watch for your chance to provide input in the coming months.

I hope you all have a happy holiday and a great new year. Stay tuned to hear more about the good work that keeps getting done by and for MASFAA members.  

MSFAA Visits OASFAA

Submitted by Ryan Rafko – Current MSFAA President and Michigan’s Representative on MASFAA Executive Council

I recently had the opportunity to travel to the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) Spring Conference which was held at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square in Columbus from April 25^th to 27^th. The reason for my travel was due to my involvement on the MASFAA Executive Council and its State Exchange Program. This program allows each state president or representative the opportunity to visit another state association conference to see how they execute a conference and conduct business but also to network with all of the wonderful Financial Aid Professionals from across the state!

One of the highlights was the opportunity to present on a panel with I believe the longest title on the agenda: Protecting Student Data: Discussing Institutional Responsibility for Cybersecurity, Data Protection, and Security Risk Management. This presentation covered a lot of information within a short time frame and led to plenty of questions and discussion. My biggest takeaway from this presentation and discussion was the impact that this has had at schools of all shapes and sizes. We had representation from schools in a variety of sectors not only on the panel but also in the audience. Hearing what other schools have done and utilizing this information to create and develop our own "best practices" is why the Financial Aid profession is such a welcoming and collaborative group. I’m glad to say I was a part of this team effort and will be adapting it for use at my Summer Conference in June!

From the updates on MASFAA by President Elect Marvin Smith, to the NASFAA Federal Update by Karen McCarty, the offering of a NASFAA credentialing opportunity, and of course the Federal Updates provided by US Department of Education Trainer Zack Goodwin this conference was packed with valuable information and professional development opportunities.

I would like to thank everyone from the OASFAA Board and all of the registrants who welcomed me with open arms even though I am from that state up north. It was truly a rewarding experience that allowed me the chance to increase my Financial Aid network while providing me with access to a quality program and knowledgeable speakers and presenters throughout my attendance. 

MASFAA Leadership Spotlight

Submitted by Faith Phillips, OASFAA President

1. What is your name, job title, school, state, and MASFAA position (please provide a description of your position)

Faith Phillips, Director of Financial Aid at Central Ohio Technical College and The Ohio State University at Newark.  I am the current President-Elect of the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. While the gavel was passed to me by our current President at our state conference the first week of May, I assume full responsibility as President July 1^st.

2. How did you get started in financial aid?

I got started in financial like many of you, by working as a Federal Work Study student. Little did I know that not only was I earning money to help pay for college, I was developing what would become a lifelong career.

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

Shortly after I moved back to Ohio and took my current position, I attended my first OASFAA conference. Following that conference, the OASFAA President asked me to chair the Need Analysis Committee.  From that point I have always been involved in OASFAA in a variety of roles.  While I have attended many MASFAA conference, serving as the State Representative for Ohio this year is my first direct involvement with MASFAA.

4. Why were you interested in a MASFAA leadership role?

I am glad that a ‘benefit’ of being a state representative is serving on the MASFAA Board. I am not sure I would have taken what felt like a big leap to become involved otherwise.  I learned more about the management of MASFAA and am not as ‘afraid’ of becoming more involved.  I learned so much and am looking forward to getting more involved with the MASFAA Leadership a few years down the road. Not to mention, all the great people I got to meet and the friendships I made during this past year.

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

As soon as you are comfortable in your new role in financial aid, (attend state and regional conferences to enhance your training) find a committee you have an interest in becoming involved with. When you feel you are ready, volunteer to chair that committee.  The more you get involved the more comfortable you will become. One day you may be surprised to find you are ready to run for an elected position.

6. What are you looking forward to learning during your leadership term?

(Or what did you learn during your leadership term?)

I learned more about association management and how useful all connections made can be whether in my office or as I serve as the OASFAA President.  I have to say the State Exchange program was one of my favorite activities while serving this year. What a great opportunity I had to attend not only the West Virginia conference but also participate in one of their board meetings. It was good to see how other organizations run their meetings and hold their conferences.  In addition, we had fun hosting Amy Hager, MASFAP President-Elect from Moberly Area Community College at our spring conference the first week of May!

7. What do you enjoy doing outside the aid office?

In the spring and summer, when not working, you can usually find me at the baseball or softball fields watching my 13 year old son and my 16 year old daughter play ball.  When the weather is colder, you are likely going to find me scrapbooking!

8. Any final thoughts?

I am excited to begin my year as the OASFAA President.  We have a lot of decisions to be made while also preparing for MASFAA in Ohio in 2017.  OASFAA will celebrate 50 years in 2018 so the celebration planning has begun with the involvement of our past presidents.  It is going to be a fun filled challenging and educational year for me. It’s all good!

2016 Ohio Spring Conference Update

by Faith Phillips

Director of Financial Aid, Centrail Ohio Technical College - OSU Newark

The theme “It All Starts with Us: Opportunity, Access, Success” was a great message for all that attended the conference at the Bertram, Inn in Aurora, Ohio May 4 – 6, 2016.  We had 206 attendees and welcomed 31 New Members/ first time OASFAA conference attendees.  They were invited to join us for the New Member Welcome/Introduction to OASFAA session just for them!

For the first time in a long time the OASFAA conference began with a Pre-Conference offering NASFAA Credentialing on Student eligibility.  Lindsay Walton of the University of Mount Union and Emily Haynam-Janero of The Ohio State University did an excellent job as presenters conveying not only general eligibility requirements but shared great detail about how database matches and NSLDS information are used to determine and monitor student eligibility.  We had over 50 registrants and the feedback from this training was very positive.  We hope to offer more NASFAA Credentialing over the next year.

The conference opened with a MASFAA update from MASFAA President-Elect and Associate Vice President for Financial Aid at Indian Wesleyan University, Thomas Ratliff.  Thomas provided great information about the state of MASFAA, promoted the upcoming MASFAA Summer Institute and Leadership Symposium as well as the fall conference in Kansas City.  Thomas was not only informative but quite witty.  In addition to kicking off our conference, Thomas also presented an interest session on Required Eligibility Updates to the Department of ED (PPA and ECAR). His knowledge and humor were welcomed!

Also joining was the MASFAA State Representative Exchange, Amy Hagar from Moberly Area Community College and MASFAP President-Elect.  Amy graciously presented on Consumer Information and Disclosure Requirements.   It was a pleasure to host both Thomas and Amy.

We were honored to have Justin Draeger, President and CEO of NASFAA provide a NASFAA update as well as the status on The Hill at our general session on Thursday.  Given the upcoming presidential election, it was not surprising that Justin provided a few laughs during his update.  We had the pleasure of meeting Justin’s son, Truman, who like his dad, arrived in a shirt, tie and slacks looking very much like a mini-Justin. 

During the OASFAA Business Meeting, Amanda Reisinger, OASFAA President presented Phillips, Director of Financial Aid at COTC/Ohio State Newark with the prestigious James W. White Award.  This award is given annually to a member who exemplifies the dedication to students, to the aid community, and to the recipient’s local community-qualities that were so evident in Jim’s career as Director of Financial Aid at Oberlin College.

The Support Professional Award that recognizes an individual or team of support/clerical professionals reporting to an OASFAA member was awarded to Lisa Jackson, Administrative Clerk at Kent State-Ashtabula.  Lisa was nominated by her supervisor Kristina Call and was not only very surprised to win the award but also to see that her mother and Dean came to see the presentation of her award.

Thanks to our entertainment chairs we celebrated in the evening and tapped into our inner Picasso with Canvas and Wine!  A good time was had by all doesn’t even being to describe the fun we had!

Attending OASFAA for the first time was FSA Training Officer Zack Goodwin.  Zack provided interest sessions on Perkins Loan Issues, Academic Calendars (Modules), Unusual Enrollment History, and FAFSA Updates and PPY.  He closed our conference with a Federal Update. The OASFAA Gavel was passed by President Amanda Reisinger to President-Elect Faith Phillips. It was a fulfilled informative week with our colleagues and friends.

State Update: Ohio Fall Conference

(by Amanda Reisinger, MASFAA Executive
Council State Representative for Ohio) 

Ohio completed their inaugural Fall Conference in November.  We had approximately 250 attendees for the three day conference.  We are now switching gears to prepare for our next conference in May, 2015 as well as visiting sites for our next Fall Conference in November, 2015.  The Ohio College Goal Sunday team is also hard at work preparing for Sunday, February 8, 2015 for our statewide event.  They are doing a fabulous job getting all of the sites ready to go!

NASFAA's Karen McCarthy at OASFAA

OASFAA's Tasha McDaniel and Angela Johnson

OASFAA's Faith Phillips and Kim Jeffers

OASFAA's Carrie Short

OASFAA's Scott Lehman