Sandy Neel, Chair of the SASFAA Nominations and Elections Committee, has announced the candidates for SASFAA President-elect for 2012-2013. The candidates are Zita Barree and Nathan Basford. Their statements of candidacy are below. Watch for news for voting to begin.
I am honored to be nominated again for the position of SASFAA President-Elect. For those of you who were involved with SASFAA last year, you might remember that I ran for the same position and lost. So, you may be wondering, why do I want to run again? Certainly it would be easier to accept defeat and move on, right? Fewer of you know that my husband, Michael, who retired from the financial aid profession several years ago, had emergency heart surgery this past August. We learned then that life can change in an instant and that you need to make the very most out of each and every day that God gives us. We also were reminded that we have a great family and a wonderful group of friends and that the majority of our friends come from either our church or the financial aid world.
Over the twenty plus years I have been involved with SASFAA, it has served me by providing many lasting friendships, great training opportunities and a network of colleagues who I can call on to help me through what continue to be challenging times for our profession. SASFAA will remain a premier regional association with a leader who understands the issues, can represent the needs of our members, and can help guide our association through the hurdles ahead. I am ready to serve SASFAA in this critical role and believe my prior experiences have shown that I am capable of taking on this challenge!
The financial aid profession is a tough one at times but more often it is a fulfilling one as well. It is more than just a job to me; it is an integral part of my life and a true honor for me to meet the needs of students, their families and my colleagues as best as I possibly can. I have the full support of my husband and my school. I ask for your support and hope you will give me the opportunity to serve you and SASFAA as your next President-Elect.
Current Position:
Director of Financial Aid, July 2009 to present
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA
Years in Financial Aid: 22
Recent Previous Positions:
- District Marketing Director, Edamerica
- Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- Director of Financial Aid, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- Associate Director of Financial Aid, VCU
- Financial Aid Coordinator, School of Dentistry, VCU
- Assistant Coordinator of Financial Aid Programs, State Council of Higher Education for VA
Education:
- M.B.A., Virginia Commonwealth University, 1989
- B.S., Elementary Education, VCU, 1987
Professional Involvement:
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA):
2000-01, Member, Leadership Development and Professional Advancement Committee
1998-99, Presenter at the 1999 NASFAA Conference
Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA):
2011-12, member, Membership Committee
2010-11, member, Governance and Planning Committee
2009-10, member, Governance and Planning Committee
2004-05, Vice President
2003-04, Chair, Annual Program/Conference Committee
2002-03, Member, Conference Committee; instructor at New Aid Officer’s Workshop; member, Governance and Planning Committee
2001-02, Member, Conference Committee; instructor at New Aid Officer’s Workshop, member, Governance and Planning Committee
2000-01, Presenter at 2001 conference
1999-00, Board of Directors as Virginia’s state President; served as panelist for session at the 2000 SASFAA Annual Conference
1998-99, Member, Local Arrangements 1999 conference in Norfolk, VA
1997-98, Newsletter Editor; co-presenter at 1998 conference
Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA):
2011-12, member of Non-Conference Training Committee and Strategic Planning Committee
2010-11, Special Appointee to the Board
2009-10, Conference Committee Co-Chair
2008-09, Awareness Committee Co-Chair
2007-08, Treasurer
2006-07, Treasurer-Elect
2000-01, Past President; Chair Awards, Nominations, and Bylaws committees
1999-00, President
1998-99, President-Elect; member of Strategic Planning and Assessment, Site Selection, Sector Coordination committees
Numerous other committee membership and chair positions held since 1990-91
I am seeking your vote to represent you as SASFAA’s President-elect. I have been active in the financial aid arena for over twenty-one (21) years. Many of us get into the financial aid profession by accident, but we stay because we are committed to serving our students and their families in providing financial assistance in order for them to achieve their educational goals.In my 21 years of financial aid service, I have been active in my state association, Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA) by serving as Region representative, Conference chair, Vice-President of Training, and the privilege to serve twice as President.
I value every opportunity that comes in life, and being nominated by fellow financial aid professionals for SASFAA President-elect is something that I honor and appreciate. I would be honored to serve this great association.
I have been involved in SASFAA since 1990 by serving on the SASFAA executive board, being a presenter at annual conferences, and this year serving on the annual conference committee.
Being a part of SASFAA has been very rewarding, and I enjoy being an ACTIVE member.. As an active member we are encouraged to give our ideas and recommendations as to what we, as financial aid professionals need from our association to help each of us better serve in our positions.
As president-elect I will strive to:
· Keep communication open between all members.
· Ask for and seek out new training opportunities and ideas from the entire membership,
· Work to ensure that new members become more active in our association.
· Be an active advocate for students, parents and financial aid professionals to ensure that funding is available to all seeking their educational goals.
Together we will share the responsibility in providing training to our professionals and to reach out to our state representatives to ensure that funding is being provided in order for students to achieve their educational goals.
My commitment to SASFAA is:
· To expect more than others think possible
· To take more risks than others may think safe
· To dream more for the future
· To work with fellow professionals, faculty, students, and staff that care more than perhaps some think is wise.
I would appreciate your vote to assist me in our endeavor to make SASFAA an integral player in today’s ever–changing: Financial Aid World!
Nathan Basford/SASFAA President-elect nominee
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Financial Aid Representative/Florida State University Office of Financial Aid: May 2009- Present
Account Manager/Academic Finance Corporation: July 2004 - February 2008
Senior Financial Aid Officer/Florida State University Office of Financial Aid September 1993 - July 2004
Financial Aid Officer/Florida State University Office of Financial Aid September 1991- September 1993
Florida State University Office of Financial Aid: June 1990 - September 1991
Florida State University Postal Services: February 1987 - June 1990
Florida State University Postal Services: December 1981 - February 1987
Florida State University/Strozier Library: October 1978 - December 1981
ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES
Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
President 2010-2011
President 2003-2004
President-Elect 2009-2010
President-Elect 2002 -2003
Vice-President, 2000- 2001
Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Active Member since 1980
Executive Board Member 2003-04 & 2010-2011
Presenter at annual conference
Conference Committee member 2011-2012
EDUCATION
Marianna High School
Activities
Active member St. Stephen Lutheran Church
Sunday school Teacher K-5
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