By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter

This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues from across the country, including recaps of recently held conferences in Michigan and Florida. Our colleagues from SWASFAA and New Hampshire also preview what attendees can expect at upcoming conferences.

Our colleagues also detail recently held training sessions for financial aid professionals, including regional associations SWASFAA, MASFAA, DE-DC-MD ASFAA, and Massachusetts. Lastly, we get to learn about exciting updates happening in EASFAA, Arizona, and Kentucky.

Recent Conferences

• Anthony Krolak, president of MSFAA (Michigan), shares that the 58th Annual MSFAA Training Conference at Crystal Mountain brought together Michigan’s financial aid community for a memorable week of learning, networking, and celebration. At the conference, 52 institutions were represented, with 30 first-time attendees. The conference’s theme was “Celebrate the Climb,” where attendees explored timely topics, connected with colleagues, heard from outstanding presenters and speakers, and welcomed the 2026-27 board members, he adds. The conference also celebrated the achievements of the association’s award recipients and raised $12,200 for Fostering Futures through a silent auction and paddle raise.
  
  “We are so grateful to everyone who attended, presented, volunteered, and helped make this year’s conference such a success!” Anthony writes.

Florida (FASFAA)

• Arminta Johnson, president-elect of FASFAA (Florida), shares that the association held its annual training conference on May 25-29 at Daytona Beach, Florida.
  
  She adds that attendees put “all hands on deck” to build new connections, shared knowledge, and learned from one another throughout the week. Sessions at the conference ranged from Schedule of Reduction (SOR) calculations, Workforce Pell, and loan limits. Attendees also engaged in meaningful discussions about financial aid, professional development, and mental health. Beyond the sessions, members forged relationships, shared plenty of laughs, and embraced the spirit of collaboration that makes our association strong, Arminta adds.
  
  “We are grateful for your engagement, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving students,” Arminta writes. “We look forward to continuing the journey and being ‘Better Together’ in the year ahead!”

Upcoming Conferences 

• Bradley Meyers, president of SWASFAA, shares that the association is planning for its 2026 SWASFAA/NMASFAA Super Conference, which will be held November 4-6 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  
  “As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, this year's conference theme reflects the journeys, connections, and shared experiences that unite us as financial aid professionals,” Bradley writes.
  
  The association will offer pre-conference sessions, including a Leadership Lane Part II session, which is a continuation of the association’s Elevate Leadership Roadshow series, an expanded Boot Camp experience, and additional FAAC training opportunities.
  
  “The conference itself will feature educational sessions designed for professionals at every stage of their career, opportunities to engage with colleagues from across the region, and dedicated time to step away from the day-to-day challenges of the office to learn, recharge, and return with new ideas and perspectives,” Bradley adds.

• Megan Hanson, president of NHASFAA (New Hampshire), shares that the association will hold its annual conference on October 22 in Concord, New Hampshire, with a unique experience at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.
  
  The conference will feature sessions from NASFAA and Robert Weinerman of Iron Bridge Resources. More robust sessions to be announced, Megan adds. 

SWASFAA

Trainings

• Bradley Meyers, president of SWASFAA, shares that the association concluded its inaugural Elevate Leadership Roadshow series in June, a new springtime professional development model designed to bring training directly to members throughout the region. Rather than asking financial aid professionals to travel to a single location, SWASFAA partnered with state associations and institutions to deliver one-day events in Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Texas, he writes.
  
  The Elevate Leadership Roadshow series provided accessible professional development opportunities during a time when many institutions continue to face budget constraints and limited travel resources.
  
  The series had over 170 financial aid professionals through three distinct learning tracks: Foundations Boulevard (Boot Camp), Certification Freeway (FAAC^® preparation), and Leadership Lane (leadership development).
  
  One of the most impactful components during each of the roadshow stops was an executive panel discussion featuring institutional leaders who shared their perspectives on strategic leadership, institutional priorities, and the evolving role financial aid professionals play in supporting student success and institutional mission, Bradley adds.
  
  “The strong attendance and engagement throughout the series reinforced the value of accessible, regional professional development opportunities that allow colleagues to learn, connect, and grow together,” Bradley writes. 

• De'asia Clark, of DE-DC-MD ASFAA (Delaware, D.C., and Maryland), shares that the Tri-State Executive Board has begun planning for the association’s year.
  
  “The new executive board is ready to continue the great work of the past board, building on their dedication and success,” De'asia writes. “The team is energized by the ideas and collaboration already underway, and we look forward to offering meaningful training and engagement opportunities for our members.”
  
  The association is planning Neophyte, a refresher training for new and experienced financial aid professionals. After Neophyte, the association will focus on planning its Fall Conference, offering valuable sessions and networking opportunities. 

• James McGehee, president of MASFAA (Massachusetts), shares that the association held its first annual Year End Summit on June 11 at Wellesley College. The summit featured a panel discussion from association members on navigating changes in the financial aid landscape, and another panel featuring graduates of MASFAA’s leadership academy about working in multi-generational workplaces. The summit also included a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence in financial aid.
  
  The summit concluded with the passing of the gavel from outgoing president, Mira Morgan, to the association’s new president, James.
  
  Additionally, graduates of the 2025-26 Leadership Academy were presented certificates, and Aidan McLaughlin of Endicott College received the association’s annual volunteer of the year award and won the association’s annual SAI hand calculation award.

MASFAA

• Jess Graham, the Iowa state association delegate of MASFAA, shares that the association held its Summer Institute & Leadership Symposium (SILS) on June 1-5 at Indiana University, Indianapolis. SILS welcomed 68 attendees representing roughly 35 institutions from every state in the MASFAA region, underscoring the program's continued value as a premier professional development opportunity for financial aid administrators, Jess adds.
  
  SILS included 11 NASFAA credential opportunities, including topics such as Student Eligibility, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Federal Pell Grant, Verification, Consumer Information, Cost of Attendance, Professional Judgment, Return of Title IV Funds, Need Analysis, Administrative Capability, and Packaging & Aid Notification. Attendees also participated in sessions addressing change management, team resilience, accountability, customer service, and association involvement.
  
  “A highlight of the week was the exceptional level of attendee engagement,” Jess writes. “Participants actively contributed to leadership roundtables, case studies, document review exercises, small-group discussions, and networking activities, creating a collaborative learning environment that encouraged the sharing of ideas and best practices across institutions and states.”
  
  The event also featured presentations from MASFAA President Emily Haynam and 2025-26 NASFAA National Chair Heidi Carl. SILS was planned and facilitated by a committee of volunteers representing institutions throughout the MASFAA region, and was led by co-chairs Jamie Davis of the University of Missouri and Sara Bauer of Herzing University.
  
  “The event reflects MASFAA's continued commitment to developing current and future leaders while strengthening professional connections across the Midwest,” Jess writes. 

Additional Updates

• Nicholas Prewett, president of EASFAA, shares that the association is launching the EASFAA Leadership Pathway, a new cohort-based program designed to help members grow into active contributors and future leaders within the association.
  
  The one-year experience combines a Leadership Institute, monthly cohort engagement, committee service and a capstone project, along with a strong focus on building skills aligned to the core competencies needed in today’s financial aid profession, he writes. Applications are now open on the EASFAA website. 

• Aurie Clifford, president of AASFAA (Arizona), shares that the association officially transitioned in July from its dedicated 2025-26 Board of Directors to the incoming 2026-27 Board.
  
  “This transition meeting marks the end of an incredible year of service and the beginning of a fresh chapter,” Aurie writes. “But we aren't just changing leadership – we are changing how we operate.”
  
  Aurie notes that in July, AASFAA will roll out two monumental milestones. The first is its first-ever Strategic Plan. The strategic plan will be a comprehensive, forward-looking roadmap designed to elevate our association's advocacy, professional development, and member support.
  
  Additionally, the association is launching a new operational calendar, with a streamlined, predictable framework to keep our events, deadlines, and initiatives organized and impactful.
  
  “We are absolutely thrilled!” Aurie writes. “These tools will provide the structure and vision needed to serve our members better than ever before. None of this would be possible without the visionary leaders who laid the groundwork over the past year. We want to extend a massive, heartfelt thank you to the 2025-26 AASFAA Board members and subcommittee members.”
  
  

• Audrey Price, president of KASFAA (Kentucky), shares that the association’s 2026-27 leadership met on June 5 at Holmes Bend Marina in Columbia, Kentucky.
  
  “We're excited to kick off the new year and begin planning trainings and events to build up our members' confidence and knowledge, and focus heavily on advocating for our students!” Audrey writes.

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: 7/29/2026

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