As part of the Association News Committee for RMASFAA, we are highlighting our current committee chairs and state presidents. In each “RMASFAA Exchange” we will invite four or five of them to be “In the Spotlight” and give you the opportunity to better know these dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

In 1981 when I first moved to the Financial Aid Office, I thought I had a general idea of what I was getting into because I had worked in the Business Office for 10 years posting and reconciling BEOGs (how many of you remember THAT acronym?) and other federal aid funds. I viewed it as an opportunity for a new challenge…little did I know what a fascinating challenge it would be!

I can recall that first year working with only an adding machine and a typewriter. Desktop PC’s weren’t even heard of at that time. The first piece of technology I received was a word processor. No more hand calculations of BEOG! No more hand kept ledgers of payments to students and miles of adding machine tape. No more bubbles, Pell Payment Vouchers and #2 pencils. (For you folks who don’t know about bubbles and payment vouchers…. you didn’t miss anything.) Such was our world before personal computers, EdeConnect, EdeExpress, COD, and Banner. Now as I frantically attempt to retrieve information from Banner, I occasionally yearn for the “good old days” as life was much simpler then?

When I was offered the opportunity to become the Director of Financial Aid in 1998, I took a long look back at where I have been and where I would be headed. I decided that since life in Financial Aid is constantly changing, a new title shouldn’t make much difference, right? Little did I know that a whole new world lay at my feet. I have always prided myself on the fact that I welcomed change and enjoyed being challenged, but I had not expected perilous! Implementing a new software system was probably the most difficult task I faced; however, thanks to my colleagues and a special mentor, I have embraced it all and have put several years of Banner behind me. I will continue to travel the ever-changing road of financial aid with confidence, knowing that I have special friends and colleagues I can turn to for help and advice.

I have been involved in MASFAA, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, Pres. Elect, President and a member the Conference Planning Committee for RMASFAA, three times. I have also been a Decentralized Trainer. As Montana President, I represented our state on the RMASFAA Board in 1994-95, and am currently servings as RMASFAA Secretary. I currently am the Chair of the MGSLP Student Loan Advisory Committee and a member of the state’s Shared Leadership Committee addressing educational access and affordability issues. On my campus, I serve on the University Advisory Council, am a member of our Alumni Association, and our MSU – Northern Foundation.

As for my family, 2004 has brought a whole new aspect to our lives. My husband, Rex, and I are now grandparents! Five-month-old Bryson is the light of our lives at the moment, and we enjoy him almost daily. My daughter, Lana is completing her teacher conversion program here at Northern and will student teach Spring Semester teaching Biology. Rex is employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Havre Sector, Customs and Border Patrol, as the Supervisory LECA (communications.) He is an avid fly fisherman, hunts birds (pheasant and geese) and grows beautiful dahlias. I enjoy working with stained glass, needle work of all kinds, stamping and a multitude of other creative leisure projects. We are currently exploring some remodeling of our home and looking forward to retirement……some day..