Meet the New Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission Chair, Dr. Jessica Flogaites
By Chloe Stanley, NASFAA Communications and Engagement Assistant
For Dr. Jessica Flogaites®, financial aid is not just a career – it’s a calling. In her 15 years in the field, she has tackled institutions of all sizes, defended a dissertation on financial aid in higher education, and pursued her CFAA certification, all with the goal of better serving her students and colleagues. As she steps into her new role as the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Commission Chair she maintains her deep commitment to learning and professional development.
Now serving as the associate director of financial aid at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Flogaites continues to lead by example, both in her day-to-day responsibilities and in her role as a lifelong advocate for financial aid professionals. Urging others to embrace opportunities for learning and leadership, she reminds us that the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam helps provide credibility to a profession that is often misunderstood but plays an essential role in student success.
“When I first heard about the exam, I was thrilled,” Dr. Flogaites said. “The CFAA program helps reinforce the knowledge, experience and expertise that we have to have in this really important profession. It touches so many things in higher education.”
Dr. Flogaites officially started in her role as the new Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission Chair on July 1 with a clear mission in mind: to continue fostering a culture of growth and learning in financial aid. What initially drove her to first take the exam was her own journey of personal growth and connection.
“Without the certification there is no real formal education that you can get for financial aid. I wanted to be able to prove to myself that I still had it – that I retained all that knowledge,” she shared.
Beyond the certification itself, Dr. Flogaites sees the CFAA program as a gateway to a supportive and thriving community. "The FAAC Slack channel, for example, has been an incredible resource. It is so unique where at the click of a button you can have access to this huge knowledge base from across the country.”
Emphasizing the importance of community in the financial aid profession, Dr. Flogaites points out that “our colleagues are what's going to help us stay on top of all of these policy changes. The colleagues and the community around you are such a critical piece to all of our success.”
Another valuable resource she wants her colleagues to be aware of is the FAAC forum at NASFAA’s upcoming Leadership and Legislation Conference as an opportunity to “come together in a space that is designed to stimulate discussion around these topics.”
Dr. Flogaites has always been passionate about continuous learning, a philosophy that has shaped her career. She earned her CFAA designation in the spring of 2020, just after completing her Ph.D. As a part of her dissertation defense, she even argued the critical role financial aid plays in higher education, emphasizing why they should care about its impact on everything from student success to institutional sustainability. Still in “education mode,” she decided that pursuing the certification was the perfect way to advance her professional life.
“The CFAA has opened doors for me in not only the resources through connecting with other people, but I also have to be more mindful of my continuing education,” she reflected.
As Dr. Flogaites steps into her role as the new CFAA Commission Chair, she encourages her colleagues to seize the moment and pursue certification or recertification – especially in a time when the profession is rapidly evolving.
“This last year has been unprecedented and insane for our profession, but it’s also been the golden age for certification because we are all training and learning all the time,” she said.
For anyone nervous about taking the exam, she advises leaning into the resources and community available. “The nerves are natural; they just mean you care. Utilize all the resources available, whether it’s webinars or reaching out to people who’ve already taken the exam. Don’t let the nerves stop you."
For Dr. Flogaites, the CFAA is not just about certification; it’s about creating a shared space for learning and growth that benefits everyone in higher education.
“The certification is a really important piece of our profession and a way for us to validate the expertise we have to have as financial aid administrators. We bring value to higher education in so many tangible ways.”
Interested in getting certified? The FAAC® Exam Preparation Online Workshop Begins October 1. Reserve your seat today!
Publication Date: 9/26/2024
Randall M | 9/26/2024 11:56:02 AM
Way to go Jessica!!!
Helen F | 9/26/2024 10:37:23 AM
Congratulations and welcome to your new CFAA Commissioner role, Dr. Flogaites!
Jacqueline K | 9/26/2024 10:5:48 AM
Congrats Dr. Flogaites! I love your quote "Financial Aid is not just a career, its a calling" so true! And thank you for saying the nerves are ok, because it shows you care. I really needed to hear that. I will begin studying to take my certifications. Wishing you all the best in your new role.
Diana S | 9/26/2024 9:29:35 AM
Congratulations to Dr. Flogaites!
You must be logged in to comment on this page.