By Chloe Stanley, NASFAA Communications and Engagement Assistant

MVP: Most Valuable Professional is an occasional series that features a brief Q&A with a different NASFAA member. Do you know a financial aid colleague with something interesting to say? Let us know by nominating them today!

Meet Katie Conrad, FAAC^®, executive director of the office of scholarships and financial aid at the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Katie has been a resolute leader of the financial aid community for many years. She started her professional journey at Midway University in Kentucky. After 13 years in Kentucky, she then went on to work at Miami University and Florida International University. This year Katie began her newest professional endeavor at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Active in state, regional, and national associations, Katie thrives on collaboration and uses her leadership roles to support colleagues and advance the profession. Throughout her career, she has been inspired by mentors who encouraged her to embrace leadership roles, and now she enjoys giving back by serving as a mentor. Katie is driven by the belief that the work of financial aid professionals plays a pivotal role in helping students achieve their goals. 

“The aspect of providing an opportunity for people to attend college who may not otherwise be able to is always in the background and the foundation of what we do,” Katie said. “I love to see new people getting involved with financial aid. One of my favorite things is being a part of the training and helping mentor new individuals in this career.” 

Katie has a rich background in volunteering. She has served as the president of KASFAA and FASFAA and is currently the vice president of SASFAA. She is passionate about the connections she has made with other professionals through her volunteer work, and credits the financial aid community as the driving force behind her dedication. 

“You gotta have the network,” Katie said. “I would not be able to do this job without the people I have met and those that have mentored me.”

Katie has also worked with NASFAA as an FAAC^® test development volunteer and continues to help as an FAAC^® Exam Prep Workshop facilitator. She is also a member of the Rapid Response Network Taskforce.

Learn more about Katie, her career path, and her interests in the Q&A below! 

How did you get your start in financial aid? 

I did not intend on working in financial aid. After graduating with a business degree, I truly did not know what I wanted to do and I spent a year and a half working as a scuba dive master. Then, there was this financial aid officer position. 

Financial aid officer sounded very important to me, but I knew nearly nothing about financial aid at the time. I immediately fell in love with the work being done. We all love providing an opportunity for people to attend college who may not otherwise be able to. My favorite college courses were business law and regulations, so I actually enjoy that part of the job as well.

What do you find the most rewarding or fulfilling about your work?

I love seeing new people get involved with financial aid. I’ve had – and still have – so many amazing mentors in my professional life, and it's exciting to now be a mentor to others entering the profession. I love my job at Georgia Tech, but one of my favorite aspects is being involved with the regional, state, and national associations. I enjoy contributing to training efforts, helping newcomers learn their roles, guiding them through changes in regulations, and mentoring them as they grow in this career. 

If you could change one thing about financial aid - what would it be? 

I think there are two main things. First, doing away with Return to Title IV (R2T4). Second, addressing the overwhelming reporting requirements would make a huge difference. Right now, the heavy reporting burden takes away from the meaningful work we need to focus on in order to truly support students. 

What is something you wish all higher ed folks knew about financial aid?

We don’t want to be seen as the ‘no’ people, but unfortunately, that’s often how we’re perceived – always coming through with a ‘no.’ I wish people understood the complexity and interdependence of the financial aid office with everything else on campus. Financial aid touches nearly every aspect of what happens at college. We also face restrictions on sharing certain types of student information and other constraints. It's not that we are unwilling to help. What we want to say is, ‘What can we do to help you achieve your goal?’

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career in financial aid? 

Treat this as a career, not just a job. Get involved with your state and regional associations to start, and eventually engage at the national level as well. Building a network of peers outside your office is crucial, and NASFAA makes that easier with tools like Slack Communities. You don’t even have to travel to connect – you can create a nationwide network right from where you are. 

Learning how other institutions handle challenges is invaluable, as it can spark ideas for your own work. Attending a new aid officer workshop was a pivotal experience for me as a new financial aid professional. You will never forget who your instructors were at those workshops. Take the opportunity to get involved and build a network, because those connections will support you through the tough times. 

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? 

Some of my closest friends are people I’ve met through financial aid. We travel together, share group chats, and support each other professionally and personally. These friendships grew through our mutual work within the associations, and they’ve become an essential part of my life. I couldn’t do this job without the mentors and friends who have guided and supported me. They are definitely the most important thing. 

What’s a recent experience or accomplishment that has brought you a lot of joy?

My daughter is a senior in high school this year, so watching her go through this process has given me a new perspective. As a parent, you really see things differently. Watching her navigate this process has been both exciting and humbling. It’s exciting to see decisions start coming in, scholarship interviews, and to watch my own kid participate in the profession I love. It's a new way to connect with her. 

Anything you have learned in the past year, or any new hobby or skills you have picked up that have surprised you? 

I made the decision to take a job in Georgia while my husband and daughter are still in Miami, so I am working in both places. I alternate my time between campus and home. I like to joke that I’m living on campus – I’m staying in graduate student housing, which is actually very nice, but I still refer to it as ‘dorm life.’ 

This experience has taught me that I can make hard decisions, and things tend to work out for the best, even when it’s difficult. It’s been a valuable lesson.

What is a goal you've set for yourself for the upcoming year?

I think there's some pretty lofty professional goals in my future. We'll just leave it at that. 

Publication Date: 12/9/2024

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