Charting Your Professional Career Path in Financial Aid Marvin Smith, Director of Student Financial Services, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

How To Steer Your Own Canoe and Go With the Flow

JOB or PROFESSION? A JOB is paid position of regular employment A PROFESSION is job that requires special education, training, or skill—and a commitment where you “profess” your allegiance to a set of beliefs Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

The Student Aid Profession Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

Who is Responsible for Your Professional Development? Your boss? Your school? WASFAA? MASFAA? Who has a job? Who thinks they have a career?

YOU!

Promoting Your Professional Development Learn all you can about your job duties and that of others Be naturally curious about how financial aid processes work Ask to take on more responsibilities if you have ideas on more you could do for office Become a mentor and trainer of others within the office to share your knowledge and be seen as an expert Consider applying for promotional opportunties Ask to attend every conference that relates to your job duties or could enhance your ability to do your job better (but don’t be discouraged if you cannot attend every conference!) Remember it is a privilege to attend a financial aid conference Bring back conference knowledge to your colleagues

Professional Involvement Helps Your Professional Development Enhance your professional skills by learning from others Learn how to develop and influence change in an organization Enhance professional relationships by building personal and professional contacts Boost your visibility to others in the industry and expand your professional horizons Explore career possibilities Enhance experience for your resume Develop people skills and communication skills Network with colleagues for future opportunities

Your Professional Development Helps Your Institution You bring back best practices from colleagues You learn skills to help develop and influence change in an organization that can be used on your campus You learn who to call (and trust) with campus has questions You learn about new rules and regulations You develop people skills and communication skills that you bring back to campus Network with colleagues for future opportunities

Professional Involvement Applying knowledge, skills and contacts to work as a team to advance the knowledge, skills and contacts of other members of the association. Volunteer opportunities can be: Moderators Presenters Trainers Committee members Committee chairs Executive Board members

“In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” --The Beatles “In the end, the professional development you take is equal to the professional development you make” “My heroes in financial aid all recognize a personal responsibility to give back to our profession” --Marvin Smith

Where do you fit? NASFAA MASFAA WASFAA Update graphic for specific state

Ask Yourself… Can I make a difference. Can I be committed Ask Yourself… Can I make a difference? Can I be committed? What is my passion? What are my skills? What is stopping me? WASFAA MASFAA NASFAA Update graphic for specific state

Who is WASFAA? What is the WASFAA mission? How long has WASFAA been in existence? How many members? Growing or shrinking? How can YOU give back to WASFAA?

Who is MASFAA? The Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) is an organization of over 1,200 financial aid professionals. MASFAA comprises the nine states: Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, West Virginia.   Our purpose is: to promote the professional preparation of individuals within financial aid; to develop effective programs related to student financial aid; to facilitate communication between all interested parties within the financial aid community; and to continually evaluate and update our services. 

Financial Aid Associations in our Region

MASFAA Board Elected Officers State Association Presidents President President-Elect Vice President Past President Secretary Treasurer Four Delegates at large State Association Presidents Illinois Iowa Indiana Missouri Michigan Minnesota Wisconsin Ohio West Virginia

MASFAA Board and Committee Chairs 2017-18 Name Role Nick Prewett (MO) President Sue Swisher (IL) Past President Marvin Smith (IN) President Elect Heidi Carl (IN) Vice President Kathy Bialk (IA) Treasurer Elect Amanda Fijal (IL) Treasurer Crystal Bruntz (MO) Delegate - Y1 Emily Haynam (OH) Triena Bodart (WI) Delegate - Y2 David Vikander (MN) Jana Albrecht (IL) Secretary Name Role Ted Malone (IN) Awards Jayme Jarret (OH) Communications/Electronic Initatives Karla Weber (WI) Conference Program Alex DeLonis (IN) Dick Battig (MN) Conference Site Selection Chad Olson (IA) Donor Development Matthew Kearney (MO) Membership Services David Peterson (IN) Professional Development Aesha Williams (IL) Sue Swisher (IL) State and Conference Liason Anne Kaluza (MN) Local Arrangements Derek Kindle (WI) Diversity Vickie Crupper (MI) Access

Current MASFAA State Presidents Michelle Cornell Illinois Leo Hertling Indiana Chris Ditter Iowa Ryan Rafko Michigan Anne Dahlen Minnesota Samantha Matchefts Missouri JoAnn Ross West Virginia Matt Moore Ohio Katie Kraemer Wisconsin

Who is NASFAA? Who We Are – Nearly 20,000 student financial assistance professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the U.S. Our Vision – Shaping the future by promoting student access and success in higher education.  Our Mission – The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)  provides professional development for financial aid administrators; advocates for public policies that increase student access and success; serves as a forum on student financial aid issues, and is committed to diversity throughout all activities.

NASFAA Board There are 21 members of the Board of Directors: Three officers (the National Chair, Chair-Elect, and Immediate Past National Chair) who serve one-year terms; Six Representatives-at-Large who serve two-year terms; Six Regional Representatives who serve one-year terms; The Treasurer, who serves a one-year term; Three non-voting Commission Directors who serve one-year terms; The President of the Association, who serves on the Board in a non-voting capacity; And the Secretary to the Board, who is selected by the president and also serves in a non- voting capacity.

NASFAA Volunteers Every year, over 150 members volunteer their expertise. Volunteers share new ideas that influence the development of NASFAA programs, products, and services. Volunteers serve as committee chairs, committee members, and speakers. Volunteers are typically employees of NASFAA member institutions. Volunteers usually have prior experience at the state and regional levels. The majority of volunteer opportunities involve topical, short-term Task Forces that are announced through Today’s News.

Getting Involved Start small – committee member or moderator Always obtain your supervisor’s permission Inquire about the time commitment Do your part – hold true to any commitments you make

Learn about the Organization Mission Statement Overall goals of the organization Identify within yourself how you fit into this mission Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation Legal context of the organization Policy and Procedure Manual Day to day operations of organization

Methods of Volunteering Can you volunteer through the organization’s website? Paper volunteer forms available at a training or conference Reach out to the committee chair or a member of the organization’s leadership team

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT State Leadership Symposiums Self nomination or invitation Beginner or advance level MASFAA Leadership Symposium Nomination by state presidents or self nomination New this year: Aspiring Aid Director and Women in Leadership tracks NASFAA Leadership Conference Generally state or regional leadership New & aspiring director track New Enrollment Management track

MODERATOR TO PRESENTER Start small through collaboration Panel member Co-presenter State vs. Regional Conference Know your materials Anticipate questions If regulatory presentation, ask a federal trainer, respected colleague or NASFAA for assistance Accurately depict your session in the description

COMMITTEE MEMBER TO COMMITTEE CHAIR Next logical step in leadership progression is to assume chair role Inquire about the time commitment What is your reputation on the committee? Is the current chair moving on? Notify the person selecting chairs of your interest

SERVING AS AN OFFICER Do you meet the eligibility criteria established for the office? Inquire about the time commitment Being asked vs. self-nomination Which office best meets your skill set and experiences?

BEING A GOOD STEWARD TO THE ORGANIZATION Know your job description Read meeting materials ahead of time Attend meetings and pay attention during those meetings Meet commitments

DUTIES OF CARE, LOYALTY AND OBEDIENCE Standard expectations of being a board member of a non- profit board Care – attend meetings, read reports, know about the organization Loyalty – acting in the best interest of the organization Obedience – making sure that your organization is following all laws and that there are enough resources allocated for the organization to accomplish its mission

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS Remember that you represent all of the following if you are a leader in an organization: Yourself Your Institution Your Organization Your Profession

EXIT STRATEGY Life Does Happen Action required dependent on timing Communication is Key Notify leadership immediately Decide on duty reduction or complete exit Lack of action is not a viable option!