Meet Mershawn Gayden, 2025-26 Diversity Leadership Program Class.

Mershawn serves as the assistant director of financial aid at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where he helps graduate students navigate their financial options and understand the resources available to them. His work centers on ensuring students receive clear, accurate information to make informed decisions about their education.

Raised in Detroit, Mershawn attended public schools before graduating from Cass Technical high school in the city. His upbringing in faith-based spaces — through youth groups and church ministry — has shaped his leadership philosophy. Also an ordained pastor, Mershawn has long pursued a life of service across professional and community spaces. 

“Servant leadership really defines my approach. Family, faith, and working in higher education have been the foundation of my professional and personal experience,” Mershawn said. 

For Mershawn, equity, transparency, and service are inseparable from effective leadership. 

“It’s important that we give students clear and correct information about what access they may have,” Mershawn said. “There will be differences between students that are beyond our control and our role is to support them in the best way we can.”

Learn more about Mershawn in the brief Q&A below.

1. How did you get your start in financial aid?

After several years in higher education, including managing an after-school program for pre-college students, I officially entered financial aid in 2017. I started as a financial aid officer, focusing my work on special populations, first-generation students, and student success programs at Wayne State University.

2. What have been some of the most significant milestones in your financial aid career, and how have they shaped your perspective on the profession? 

My most significant career milestone to date was achieving my first managerial role within financial aid as the assistant director of financial aid at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. My engagement in professional associations has been critical to this success; specifically, my participation in the MSFAA Leadership Masterclass and serving as the MSFAA DEI Co-Chair for the past two years. These experiences have been instrumental in strengthening my leadership skills as both a dedicated student advocate and an effective cross-campus collaborator.

3. What’s a challenge within financial aid that you personally have overcome that you're proud of?

During my undergraduate and graduate school years, I believe I borrowed excessively in student loans. I lacked the wisdom to borrow only what was necessary. Now, I use my experience to guide students in making strategic and wise borrowing decisions.

4. What change would you like to see in financial aid?

I would like to reform graduate financial aid by prioritizing non-loan-based funding with need-based criteria and advocating for a substantial increase in grants, scholarships, and fellowships from all sources — federal, private, and institutional. These changes are essential to remove economic barriers and ensure talented individuals from all backgrounds can access and complete graduate programs, regardless of the high cost of living.

5. How does your perspective impact how you do your job and approach financial aid?

The lens through which we view the world shapes our approach to everything. My own values, morals, and experiences are rooted in serving others. I believe servant leadership and stewardship offer immeasurable rewards when you genuinely invest in and care for people.

6. What advice do you have for those in financial aid? 

Don’t be afraid to find the leader within yourself. You have the capacity to lead from whatever seat you are in. 

“Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by passion, generated by vision, produced by conviction, and ignited by purpose.” – Dr. Myles Munroe

7. What do you do when you're not working?

My free time is wonderfully busy! I love spending quality time with my family — especially my wife Jessica and our daughter Sophia Grace. As an Assistant Pastor, much of my effort goes into church and ministry work. When it’s time to truly unwind, you might find me watching WWE wrestling or diving into the latest tech reviews on YouTube and TikTok.