President and CEO Dr. Philip Day announces national conversation on student access and success
Past and present NASFAA leaders reviewed lessons learned from over the past year outlined the goals and direction for the association in coming years during the annual business meeting at NASFAA's National Conference in Orlando, FL.
Outlining the association's future plans, NASFAA President and CEO Dr. Phil Day formally announced the launch of NASFAA's "National Conversation on Access and Aid for Student Success."
This "major new initiative" was unanimously approved by the NASFAA board and will explore drastic ways to overhaul the student aid system so it accommodates the realities and requirements of changing demographics, workplace education and training, economic revitalization and sustainability.
"This is about addressing, uncovering and promoting a nationwide program to eliminate the major barriers to college access and success, especially financial barriers for low- and moderate- income students and other populations underrepresented in higher education," Day said.
Concerted and sustained national dialogues and debates have traditionally been effective instruments for social change, according to Day who highlighted recent debate on health care, homeownership and the price of oil. Day noted that the upcoming change in U.S. leadership will be a prime moment to begin the dialogue and debate that NASFAA will work to ensure is sufficient in scope and duration to arouse the collective conscience and lay the groundwork for constructive action.
In addition, the National Conversation will help NASFAA be the leader in creating a roadmap to direct student aid policy and funding decisions.
"Conversation will be taking place with or without us ... I do not want NASFAA to be left at the station while someone else takes control," Day said. "No one knows the problems and solutions better than NASFAA. We must take a strong leadership role to achieve the desired outcomes for our students."
Outgoing National Chair Michael Bennett echoed Day's sentiments as he reviewed the challenges NASFAA overcame last year and highlighted the path NASFAA would take in the future.
While serving as national chair, Bennett lead the association through a change in leadership from Dr. Dallas Martin to Dr. Phil Day, acombination of the credit crunch and lender subsidy cuts that destabilized the FFELP and the aftermath of investigations into financial aid offices' relationships with lenders.
"A year ago we sat huddled together facing attorney general subpoenas, the media and other dark clouds that engulfed our honorable profession," Bennett said. He noted that NASFAA and the profession had overcome the challenges and emerged stronger than ever.
Moving forward, Bennett said that NASFAA needed to be more active in providing solutions to the challenges that students and families face when trying to pay for college.
"We as a profession need to be "at the table" as the true experts, shaping new financial programs within a historical framework," he said. "Otherwise, we end up with programs like ACG, SMART or TEACH grants. Do we want to provide input to help create new regulations or simply be subjected to them?"
He encouraged NASFAA members to initiate action and not always wait for others, even association leaders, to take the first step. He encouraged everyone to get involved and volunteer for state, regional and national financial aid associations.
"We need volunteers and leaders in the pipeline that reflect our diversity and the front line, on the ground, in the trenches ... practicing financial aid administrators," Bennett said.
Bennett and Day also honored past NASFAA chairs and past NASFAA President Dr. Dallas Martin. Day announced that an endowment was being set up in Martin's name and encouraged members to contribute to the endowment.
An emotional Martin graciously accepted the honor noting that there were countless others in the organization who deserved the endowment over him.
"This organization has come a long way and I"m just proud to be part of it," Martin said. "It truly is a special family. We are so blessed."
Bennett also took time to introduce the incoming national chair for 2008-09 Dave Gruen.
Gruen said he was looking forward to doing things the cowboy way during his year as national chair, noting that it was time to "cowboy up" in difficult times and do the best you can no matter what the situation.
"I know that you will not allow me to falter," Gruen said. "And because you want me to succeed, I will succeed."
Media Coverage
By Haley Chitty
NASFAA Assistant Director of Communications
Posted 07/09/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.
