September State & Regional Association Updates
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
In this monthly round-up in Today's News, we would like to highlight what is going on in your state and regional financial aid administrator associations.
This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues from Idaho, the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA), and the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA).
Kelley Christianson, president of IASFAA (Idaho), shares that the 2023-24 IASFAA Executive Council has begun the process of “rebooting” the association after a pandemic-related hiatus. The IASFAA website is refreshed and the association is planning for the annual conference on October 2-3 in Boise, Idaho.
Michelle Hemmer, communications and outreach chair of SASFAA, shares that the SASFAA Board has been busy planning upcoming events for members. That includes SASFAA’s next webinar on September 19, 2023, titled Delayed FAFSA: Communication and Outreach Strategies. Additionally, SASFAA will host its 2023 Management Institute in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 19-20, with a focus on managing change in a shifting higher education landscape. “During this time of great change we are glad to be able to support our members in this way,” Michelle writes.
WASFAA's communications chair shares that the 2023 WASFAA Jerry R. Sims Management and Leadership Institute is scheduled for November 15-17, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. The institute is an “action-packed two-and-a-half-day event that isn't just about learning leadership - it's about making connections, gaining insider insights from financial aid pros, and discovering a whole new level of personal awesomeness,” Amber writes. Those interested can check the WASFAA website for registration information, an agenda, and updates about the institute.
Nicole McMillin, past president of WASFAA, also shared that WASFAA’s Executive Council will meet virtually on September 6 and in person in Tucson, Arizona, in November. Additionally, the association kicked off virtual training in August and will feature over 16 sessions on topics including FAFSA simplification, professional judgment changes, unusual enrollment history, gainful employment, diversity and inclusion sessions, and more. In-person training will focus on the NASFAA Packaging and Notification of Awards professional credential, paired with content from the Crucial Accountability book.
WASFAA’s leadership development program has also opened up applications for this year’s cohort. The Rebekah Hoppel Salcedo Leadership Development Program will offer focused training and collaborative group work along with a yearlong, one-to-one mentorship program to develop the next generation of leaders, Nicole writes. The deadline to submit an application is September 22.
Check back next month to see what your colleagues are doing across the country, and check out your colleagues’ updates from previous months!
Publication Date: 9/5/2023
You must be logged in to comment on this page.