Meet the Faces of Financial Aid

Financial aid is more than numbers and forms. It's a people-centered profession grounded in service, strategy, and student success. To help raise awareness of the depth and diversity of the field, the task force gathered profiles of financial aid professionals across various stages of their careers.

These stories showcase the wide range of backgrounds, responsibilities, and career trajectories within financial aid, from those just starting to experienced executives shaping institutional policy. Whether you're exploring the profession or helping others consider it as a career path, these profiles offer a window into the meaningful work and impact of financial aid administrators.

Career Levels Represented

• Entry-Level: Counselor, Advisor, Specialist
• Mid-Level: Manager, Assistant/Associate Director
• Executive-Level: Director, Executive Director, AVP, VP

Explore the profiles below to see how financial aid professionals make a difference on their campuses, in their communities, and in the lives of the students they serve. 

Select the thumbnails below to view the full profiles. To highlight the profiles within the What You Need to Know About a Career in Financial Aid PowerPoint Presentation, save the image and paste it onto a blank slide. 

Entry-Level

Patrick Barnes	Chico Dimas
Nealyn Lea	Ricci Mann
Sandra Mulder

Mid-Level

John Bender III	Jonathan Charres
Liz Enos	Gina Glinsey
Naglaa Gaafar Rego	Maria Serna
Jade Silver	Amanda Vargas

Executive-Level

Tanika Aggison	Shannon Crossland
Bridgette Ingram	Marie Johnson
Ben Montecillo	Christopher Pollard

Information shared on the profiles as of May 1, 2025. If you’re interested in updating your profile or would like to submit a new profile, please contact Margot Manning. 

Additional Resource: Voices of NASFAA: Ask Me Anything

The Voices of NASFAA: Ask Me Anything (AMA) series offers financial aid professionals a unique opportunity to engage directly with experts in the field.

These live, interactive sessions are designed as open forums — no scripts, no present agendas. Instead, participants drive the conversation by bringing their own questions, challenges, and ideas to the table. Each AMA highlights a different theme within the profession, proving practical insights, strategies and real-world perspectives to help you navigate the complexities of financial aid with confidence.

Return to Toolkit Home  |  Return to Promoting Financial Aid as a Career