Where Are They Now? Reconnecting With NASFAA's Former DME Policy Interns
By Richard Davis, Jr., 2021 DME Policy Intern
The Dallas Martin Endowment for Public Policy and Student Aid (DME) summer internship was launched in 2012 to cultivate a new generation of student aid advocates. As a part of NASFAA's commitment to advocating for public policies and programs aimed at increasing access to and success in postsecondary education, each year, a student intern is selected and brought to Washington, D.C. to gain real-world policy and advocacy experience. Additionally, interns get a chance to attend hearings and events on Capitol Hill, make substantive contributions to NASFAA's policy and government relations work, attend NASFAA's annual conference, and much more.
Since 2012, NASFAA has brought a total of 10 interns to contribute to our work of promoting student access and success in higher education. Since their time at NASFAA, these interns have gone on to make meaningful contributions to the financial aid profession, the broader field of higher education, and society as a whole. Some have continued to work in education policy and research, others have continued to advance NASFAA's values of promoting equity and access in careers outside of higher education, and a couple even found their way back to NASFAA as full-time employees. To commemorate this 10-year milestone, we checked in with seven of our former interns to discover where life has taken them since the end of their summer with NASFAA and collect advice for future NASFAA interns. Read on to learn more about these talented professionals and the impact that they are making on the world.
You can also select the links below to bring you directly to an intern's feature:
- Margot O'Meara - Summer 2012 DME Intern
- Charlotte Etier - Summer 2013 DME Intern
- Janette Martinez - Summer 2016 DME Intern
- Brianna Hayes - Summer 2017 DME Intern
- McCall Pitcher - Summer 2018 DME Intern
- Maylene Rodriguez Scott - Summer 2019 DME Intern
- Muhammad Kara - Summer 2020 DME Intern
Margot O'Meara - Summer 2012 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Baltimore, MD
What is your current role and what do you do?
I am the webinar program manager and certification and credentialing analyst at NASFAA. As the webinar program manager, I am responsible for ensuring NASFAA is delivering quality webinars that provide our members with up-to-date training on important topics. In my role as certification and credentialing analyst, I assist members on their journey towards professional recognition. I also make sure our testing center experience is smooth and our tests are accurate.
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
My internship had a major impact on my career path! Traveling to the conference spurred a strong desire to be able to travel for work, which I was able to do as an admissions counselor for the first three years of my professional life. As an intern I was able to experience the incredible work that NASFAA does for the financial aid community and I knew I'd love to continue that work (once I got my travel fix). I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to return to NASFAA in 2015 as a member of the training and regulatory assistance staff. I'm also happy that I'm still able to travel to some conferences!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I'd love to still be working for NASFAA! I was recently promoted to webinar program manager, so I'm hoping in five years NASFAA will continue to be offering top tier online training.
What is one interesting fact about you?
In May 2021, my boyfriend and I got a puppy — Benny! She is an airedale terrier, full of personality. She keeps us entertained daily and has brought even more love and joy into our lives.
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
Creating a work-life balance is really important! With so many events shifting to virtual, it was a very busy year for me. Prioritizing stepping away from the computer and spending time outside was critical.
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
Try to work with as many NASFAA staff members and NASFAA institutional members as you can! Everyone is great, and you'll be able to learn so much through conversations and collaboration.
Charlotte Etier - Summer 2013 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Louisville, Kentucky
What is your current role and what do you do?
I am the director of research and grants at NASFAA. In this role I oversee NASFAA's research and grant department, serving as the project manager of our grant work, leading NASFAA's research efforts, and supporting our organization as a whole. In my seven full-time years at NASFAA, I have led the association's research including our Administrative Burden Report, bi-annual Benchmarking Survey Reports, and various grant funded projects.
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
My time at NASFAA was incredibly beneficial to my career and the most impactful professional experience I had prior to working at NASFAA full-time. When I was the DME intern I was able to see policymaking take place at the federal level and I was hooked. I love being a part of helping our members help students across the country. Eight years after my internship, and seven years into my full-time career at NASFAA, I still strongly believe in our mission and our membership. It was also incredibly informative to see all of the different higher education associations, organizations, think tanks, and policy groups and how they all work together to make change happen.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
It looks like the prediction I made when I was interviewed in 2015, six years ago, was right (to still be at NASFAA!) and I hope that is again the case in the next five years. In the next five years I hope to continue to grow NASFAA's grant work, continue to assist our members in serving students, and deepen our research work.
What is one hobby that you've picked up during the pandemic?
During the pandemic I took up bee keeping! I am still in the learning phase, and am enrolled in a class at my local apiary to learn more this year. I hope to decide by the end of 2021 if I feel we can keep our own bees or if we'll "bee" more successful supporting a local bee farm!
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
That I love being at home! As someone who almost always scores 99% on the extroverted scale of any personality test, being at home for almost all of the past sixteen months could have been very difficult, but I quickly learned that I love being at home with my husband, my eight-year-old step-daughter, our pets, and my garden!
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
To take advantage of working in this space as much as possible, and know that there is no bad question. There are so many opportunities during your time as an intern to attend meetings, events, etc. that will broaden your experience and I always encourage our intern each year to take advantage of every one they are able to. Also, ask every question you can! When I interned I would return from events or meetings with pages of notes and sit down with my supervisor, Megan Coval, to ask her long lists of questions. This helped me understand more of what I had just learned and deepen my knowledge for the next event.
Janette Martinez - Summer 2016 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Washington, D.C.
What is your current role and what do you do?
I was most recently a senior policy and research analyst at Excelencia in Education. In that role, I focused on federal and state policy and effective institutional practices to accelerate Latino student success. This included writing policy briefs, fact sheets, and research reports.
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
Working at a NASFAA was the first experience I had with a membership organization and the experience of working closely with members still sticks with me today. It taught me to always think through the implementation, not just the idea.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to continue to be doing work where I can have a positive impact on the lives of historically marginalized students and families, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, and their ability to successfully access and complete a postsecondary program. I'm not sure what that might look like specifically, but I do want to make sure my work supports that key mission.
What is one hobby that you've picked up during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, I became a plant mom! I had 0 plants pre-pandemic. Today, I have 32 plants and counting.
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
Prioritize yourself. I used to feel guilty taking a day of rest when so much is going on, but at the end of the day, if you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't take care of others or do the work that you care about.
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
Don't be afraid to ask for opportunities outside what's assigned to you. I wanted to work on my policy writing skills, so I was able to write a few pieces for Today's News. I also wanted to work on some quantitative work and helped out with some surveys. The policy team is incredibly welcoming and supportive of the DME intern's development!
Brianna Hayes - Summer 2017 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Dallas, Texas
What is your current role and what do you do?
I currently work for Zillow as an inbound sourcing recruiter. In this role, I work with software development engineers who work on the Zillow mobile app and the behind the scenes functions of the Zillow website. Additionally, Zillow has made the commitment to increase the number of candidates from underrepresented groups. As an inbound sourcing recruiter, I directly impact that commitment and work to meet those goals and standards.
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
My NASFAA experience taught me how to be a voice for the voices that may not be heard while applying real action. While I was an intern, we worked on financial aid campaigns to increase awareness about funding for higher education. A majority of the funding we focused on helped me get my degree and a lot of students I knew. Being a voice for people who may not have a say has been an important lesson I have brought with me in all my roles. Alongside ensuring that real action addresses real issues.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself continuing to use my voice to help others. It's hard to say what platform I will be using, whether that be career or personal, but I hope it will be both. I also see myself picking up on more traveling and getting to explore new places, cultures, and people.
What is one hobby that you've picked up during the pandemic?
My pandemic included a lot of reflection. I tried a few different things such as yoga, attempting to be a plant mom, and new reads. My favorite hobby that I picked up during the pandemic was beginning my podcast, Urban Intellect. It's been a great resource to have meaningful dialogue even while we all have had to re-learn "normal."
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
It's alright to take life one day at a time. Sometimes, we are better when we approach situations in doses.
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
Go in with an open mind! Be ready to ask questions because there is no way you will know everything that you are presented with. Also, don't let the humidity intimidate you because it's all worth it!
McCall Pitcher - Summer 2018 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Washington, D.C.
What is your current role and what do you do?
I am currently a research associate with American Institutes for Research (AIR) in Washington, D.C., where I work on a range of postsecondary education projects for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Among a number of roles, I serve as the Outcome Measures survey director for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and a longitudinal data analyst for multiple BMGF investments promoting student success at U.S. colleges and universities.
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
At a base level, this internship exposed me to the nuances of student financial aid policy — I don't think any understanding of the higher education landscape is complete without an appreciation for the intricacies of federal student aid processes (and those working to improve them, like NASFAA!). My NASFAA internship also helped me make valuable professional connections, allowed me to sharpen my writing skills (which I use every day at work!), and added to my content knowledge in federal appropriation and rulemaking processes.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to continue working in higher education research and policy in D.C.!
What is one interesting fact about you?
My husband and I are expecting a baby boy in August 2021!
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
Working from home during the pandemic helped me appreciate the healing effects of simply going outside. I'll never take a walk around the block or a breath of fresh air for granted again!
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
I would encourage any future DME intern to take advantage of the flexibility of the internship. The NASFAA policy team allowed me to cater the experience to my strengths and interests and trusted me with tasks and projects that were both challenging and fulfilling. Lean into the role, embrace any challenges, and enjoy working with one of the kindest and most supportive teams in the business!
Maylene Rodriguez Scott - Summer 2019 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Massachusetts
What is your current role and what do you do?
I currently work as a resource advocate at Community Action Pioneer Valley. In this position I have two primary responsibilities; the first is answering our information and referral phone line which connects local residents to a variety of resources. While talking to callers, I screen them for our application services, which brings me to my second major responsibility: case management. The bulk of my work week consists of conducting appointments with residents who may qualify for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), MassHealth, or rent/utility arrearages programs, and following up on the status of their applications. At times it can be hard work, however it means a lot to me to work closely with people within my community!
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
My biggest takeaway during my time at NASFAA was the way it broadened my understanding of what financial aid is and what it could be. Prior to interning at NASFAA, my knowledge of financial aid was largely based on my experience working in financial aid at a public four-year university in the Northeast. By meeting financial aid administrators, researchers, and policy analysts who were experts in their own respective higher ed niches, I learned about financial aid from a variety of perspectives.
What is one hobby that you've picked up during the pandemic?
During the pandemic I got back in touch with my artistic side (after a five year hiatus)! I also began to garden outside for the first time and combined my interest with art and gardening by painting my plants. This is one of my favorite paintings: a gladiolus flower.
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
To slow down. I was nearing the end of my undergraduate studies when the pandemic hit so my mindset at the time was primarily focused on job searching and the possibility of moving to another state or city. I was always trying to figure out the next step in my 5-10 career year plan. However, during the pandemic I had to slow down because I simply didn't know what was next. And that was terrifying at times. But I also reconnected with other values I had outside of my career aspirations, including: spending time with my family, picking up art again after five years of a drawing hiatus, and gardening (I now have a flower garden which I incessantly take photos of).
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
This is 100% just the tagline for my favorite podcast but I am going with it: Ask smart people dumb questions! If you have the chance to talk with someone who is an expert in a topic you think is interesting, ask them questions about their work! Some of my favorite moments at NASFAA were the discussions I'd have with panelists after they presented on a very niche topic that they were very knowledgeable about.
Muhammad Kara - Summer 2020 DME Intern
Where do you live now?
Washington, D.C.
What is your current role and what do you do?
I am currently a policy/research fellow at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau researching issues within student lenders and borrowers.
How did your time at NASFAA inform your career?
My time at NASFAA affirmed my academic interest in college affordability. I find myself still using the skills and knowledge I gained at NASFAA in my current position.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope to be graduating from a Ph.D. program in higher education policy in hopes of becoming a higher education researcher and professor.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I lived overseas for the first eight years of my life.
What is one thing that the past sixteen months (of the pandemic) has taught you?
During the past 16 months, I found that I am more productive working from home than going into a physical office.
If you could offer one piece of advice to a future DME intern, what would it be?
Financial aid can be confusing so take advantage of the staff who are experts in this field by asking questions or requesting to sit in on meetings that interest you.
Publication Date: 8/3/2021
Lori V | 8/3/2021 12:1:01 PM
Congrats and continued well wishes to all of the former NASFAA DME summer interns! So proud of all of you and your continue commitment to doing what you see as important work! Way to go!
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