GASFAA Members!

GASFAA was established by pioneers in our profession in 1967. Those pioneers sought to find a common ground for financial aid administrators and others involved in assisting students with financing their post-secondary education—a common arena where ideas and solutions could be discussed and implemented.  Fifty-one years later, GASFAA still promotes the development of its members as we serve the needs of our students, families, institutions, and other constituents.  In 2018-2019, we will continue those traditions by offering effective and relevant training that provides the knowledge that helps members meet the needs of our students while adhering to federal, state, and institutional policies.

Over the last eight years since I joined GASFAA, my involvement has positively impacted my life in many ways—inside and outside of the office.  Professionally, the knowledge I have gained during trainings and conferences is applied to my daily work to help improve the efficiency of the office and to the continuous improvement of our office.  I have been able, too, to use the technical skills I have gained to allow me to be a more effective administrator—being more mindful of streamlining procedures, etc.  Being a member of GASFAA has helped me network and make connections across the state and region—connections that I cannot underestimate.  Many of you know my story, but I met Stephen Andersen (Immediate Past President and my supervisor) through GASFAA.  It was through my association work that I was able to make a connection with Stephen. I later interviewed for a position in his office, and I was hired for that position.  The connection alone is not the key to mobility.  My decision to pursue that connection is what led to me making one of the most beneficial career moves I have made in my life. GASFAA creates the connections. Individuals, though, must work the connections and see what blooms from the seeds that are planted.

Being a member of GASFAA has many benefits.  During 2018-2019, we will offer two workshops—one in the fall and the other in the spring.  At the end of May, we will be back in beautiful, historic Savannah for the annual meeting and conference.  Throughout the year, make sure you are looking for the updates from the Legislative Affairs’ Committee and the Membership Committee.  Keep up with what is going on with GASFAA and in aid administration in general on the state, regional, and national levels.  Always watch the listserv for any invitations for opportunities to network.  These are just a few of the benefits GASFAA has to offer this year.  I challenge you take advantage of each of these.  “If it doesn’t challenge you, then it doesn’t change you.”  Let us be a part of that change.

On behalf of the GASFAA Executive Board, we welcome you to the new GASFAA website.  I am honored and humbled to serve as the GASFAA President for 2018-2019, and I look forward to being your voice throughout the year as we partner to make decisions that, in the end, will benefit not only the offices we represent but also the families and students we serve.  If you would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at [email protected].