The Gavel Passes: 2009-10 National Chair Prepares NASFAA to Embrace Change

2008-09 National Chair Dave Gruen passed the gavel to incoming 2009-10 National Chair Barry Simmons at the annual business meeting during the third day of NASFAA's annual conference in San Antonio, TX.

Addressing NASFAA members after accepting the gavel, Simmons stressed his goal to have NASFAA embrace change in the coming year.

"The only thing that is constant is change," Simmons said. "What is not constant is the rate of change. The rate of change continues to increase at an unpredictable pace." He noted that this unpredictability makes planning a challenge and NASFAA must respond by planning for change and responding in a "prudent yet expeditious manner."

Quoting Charles Dickens, Simmons noted that these days represent the best and worst of times with the economy providing unprecedented challenges, but a new administration that has made access to higher education a top priority.

Regarding NASFAA, Simmons said that recent actions like the National Conversation Initiative and the recent, difficult financial decisions have positioned NASFAA to be stable, concentrate on its core mission and be an advocacy leader for college and workforce development access.

Simmons also announced plans investigate ways to formalize the daily endeavors of financial aid administrators into a profession, including providing credentials to NASFAA members.

"Several NASFAA committees will be looking at this issue during the 2009-10 year and bringing it forth for discussion, debate and serious consideration," Simmons said.

Outgoing 2008-09 NASFAA Chair Dave Gruen offered some final cowboy wisdom as he passed the gavel.

"Even if you are on the right path, you'll get run over if you are not moving forward," he said.

Gruen said he was honored to serve the NASFAA members during the "long, strange ride" that made up his year as national chair.

"I can't think of a better posse to ride with," Gruen said.

Posted 07/15/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.