NASFAA Movers & Shakers
NASFAA members are always moving ahead, whether enhancing their skills in their current roles, accepting promotions or job changes, or discovering new pathways as retirees. Below are a few colleagues who were honored with awards or recognitions or made changes in their professional lives in 2026-27.
Let NASFAA and your colleagues know about your career developments by completing the "Movers and Shakers" form. We'll review your submission and then post your update on this page and on NASFAA's social media accounts for all to see.
This Week's Movers & Shakers
| *NEW* September 15, 2026 – David Belanger, formerly the director of student financial services at Smith College, is now the director of financial aid at Dartmouth College. |
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*NEW* August 17, 2026 – Felicia Soderberg was promoted from senior financial aid counselor to assistant director of financial aid counseling at New York University. |
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| *NEW* August 17, 2026 – Alondra Mejia was promoted from financial aid counselor to assistant director of financial aid counseling at New York University. |
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| *NEW* August 12, 2026 – Judy Cuellar is now an independent consultant for Financial Aid Services (FAS). |
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Job Changes and Promotions
- September 8, 2026 – Daniel Barkowitz, FAAC®, formerly the assistant vice president of financial assistance and student employment at the University of Miami, is now the assistant vice president of enrollment management and executive director of financial aid at Penn State University.
- August 17, 2026 – Meg Bahlke, formerly a financial aid analyst at Mid Michigan College, is now the associate director at Northwood University.
- August 1, 2026 – Kimber Wellman, FAAC®, is now the associate director of scholarships and state aid at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- July 28, 2026 – Jazzmine Golden, formerly the client engagement specialist and manager at College Aid Services, is now the associate director of non-federal financial aid at the Galen College of Nursing.
- July 16, 2026 – Karen Ruehlman, FAAC®, formerly the associate vice president of financial aid and scholarships at Kennesaw State University, is now the associate vice chancellor for student enrollment services at The University System of Georgia.
- July 6, 2026 – Tangar Young, formerly the director of financial aid at South Carolina State University, is now the director of financial aid at Johnson C. Smith University.
- July 6, 2026 – Nancy Beasley, FAAC®, formerly the student financial planning advisor at Fielding Graduate University, is now the assistant director of financial aid at Saint Michael's College.
Retirements
- September 30, 2026 – Melinda Middleton, currently the director of financial aid at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, will retire in September after 36 years of working in financial aid.
- September 9, 2026 – Debbie Murphy, currently a regional sales director at Ascendium Education Solutions, Inc., will retire in September after 35 years of working in financial aid.
- September 1, 2026 – Cheryl Storie, currently the associate vice president of financial aid at University of Maryland Global Campus, will retire in September after 41 years of working in financial aid.
Awards, Recognitions, and Others
- August 7, 2026 – Missy Ostrander earned a Business Leadership Certificate from WGU, where she is currently a financial aid coordinator.
Publication Date: 8/19/2026
