MVP: Most Valuable Professional is an occasional series that features a brief Q&A with a different NASFAA member. Do you know a financial aid colleague with something interesting to say? Send the names of potential future MVPs and a short note about why you're nominating them to [email protected].

Shannon Crossland
Interim Executive Director of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships
Texas Tech University

Meet Shannon Crossland, interim executive director of student financial aid and scholarships at Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, TX. Shannon joined the financial aid family at Texas Tech University and has served in several capacities, including as assistant director of NCAA Compliance and director of administrative maintenance and federal compliance. In addition, Shannon is also an alumna of Texas Tech, having earned a bachelor's in soil science and a masters in higher education administration from the school. An active member of several financial aid administration associations, Shannon currently serves as the past president of TASFAA, the president-elect of SWASFA, and an observer on NASFAA's Board of Directors.

What’s on your desk right now?

New York Yankees baseball, College World Series baseball, daily task folder and reading stack.

What was the best thing that happened to you this past week?

My new home started being built.

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

Surfing – to ride the barrel of the wave.

One thing working in financial aid has taught me:

If you love what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life.

If you could have 3 wishes granted, what would they be?

Happiness for all. Good health for all. Love for all.

One thing I would like to change about the current financial aid system is:

Return of Title IV administration and the numerous consumer information requirements.

What is a goal you've set for yourself for the upcoming year?

Run a half marathon.

What book/movie have you read/seen recently that you would recommend and why?

I am currently reading, “Extreme Ownership. How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. The book is not your ordinary leadership motivation; however, it is enabling me to think outside the box in terms of team building and enabling staff.

What NASFAA service/product is most helpful to you?

The Compliance Engine. NASFAA’s P&P Builder Module within the Compliance Engine not only assists student financial aid offices in organizing and maintaining a multitude of policies, it also serves as a training tool. Each section offers a ‘toolbox’ reference area - handbook references, CFR sites, etc. For areas within a section that I did not have a lot of experience with, the toolbox proved beneficial in understanding the “why” behind the item referenced.

My most motivating financial aid experience was:

Early in my career, a student told me I was the only mentor in his life that ever believed in him. Believing in people in all walks of life is an amazing feeling.

My idea of a perfect day:

Nice, foggy, cool morning. Sun starts coming up as I start mile three of my five mile run.

Want to say hello to Shannon or reply to something she said? Please leave your remarks in the comments section below. You can also take a look back at our past MVPs to read any you missed the first time around.

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Do you know a financial aid colleague with something interesting to say? Send the names of potential future MVPs and a short note about why you're nominating them to [email protected]. 

Publication Date: 9/7/2017

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