I was born in Colorado to a farm family, the fourth child out of 6 (five girls and one boy). My undergraduate degree is in Home Economics Education. Why? Because I had poor teachers in high school, and knew I could do better. My first principal believed "a good teacher could teach anything to anyone", and pushed me to prove it to myself (imagine teaching 7th grade boys how to iron and cook?) I have thrived on accepting challenging training opportunities ever since.

Because my husband was drafted during the Viet Nam War, we did a lot of traveling the four years he was in the Air Force. Our first daughter was born in Colorado, and the second daughter was born in Guam four years later. Eight years later, our son was born in Arizona, the same week I completed my master's degree.

The position as Chair of the Home Economics Department brought me to Kansas in 1981. I reduced my teaching load two years later to accept a position as the Director of the Career Development Center. In 1988, I was offered an opportunity to quit teaching and become the Director of Financial Aid. I held both positions for 5 years, then dropped the CDC position.

Family, staff, and friends consider me a workaholic. Maybe it is true; however, I thrive on being busy.

Financial Aid Experience

• Director of Financial Aid at Baker University, KS for 15 years. Baker is an independent church-related university with degrees from associate to master’s levels, and multiple campuses.
• Prior to becoming director, I was on the Baker faculty and the Director of the Career Development Center.
• Recipient of Outstanding Faculty Member and Outstanding Employee Awards, plus 20 years of service recognition.
• Appointed to state aid task force.
• Have served on athletic conference financial aid task force for over 10 years.

Professional Organization Experience

KASFAA

• President for one and one-half terms
• Treasurer for four years
• Recipient of Outstanding Service and Meritorious Service Awards
• Served on a variety of committees such as Association Governance,
  Training, Mentoring
• Initiated leadership development plan for association
• Presenter at numerous conferences on topics such as Policies and
  Procedures, Professional Judgment, Packaging Aid, Cash Management
• Trainer for High School Counselor Workshops
• Presenter at annual Support Staff Workshops
  
  

RMASFAA

• RMASFAA Treasurer as of October 2003
• Past Chairperson for Summer Institute
• SI Neophyte Instructor for 6 years
• State representative on Board of Directors for one and one-half terms
• Member of Committee of the Year for three years
• Presenter at annual conference
  
  

NASFAA

• Attended Leadership Conference
• Presenter at annual conferences for topics of Professional Judgment and Packaging Financial Aid

Education

• Master’s Degree from University of Arizona
• Bachelor’s Degree from University of Northern Colorado