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.

I was born and raised in Eastern South Dakota, graduating from Dakota State University located in Madison, SD with a BS in Business in 1976. I married shortly after graduation and my husband, Dean, and I moved to Glendive, Montana in 1977 where he accepted a teaching position at the local high school. Glendive has been our home since and we now have two grown children. Our daughter, Kalyn, is a graduate of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is currently employed in Moscow, ID. Our son, Troy, is also a graduate of the University of Mary with a BS in Biology and is currently in his second year at the Illinois College of Optometry, in Chicago.

In the spring of 1987, I became employed at Dawson Community College, which is also located in Glendive, as an Administrative Assistant in the Financial Aid and Admissions Office. The Financial Aid Director at that time was Paul Fasting, who provided me with training on the regulations and the policies and procedures of DCC. In 1997, Mr. Fasting was promoted to the position of Vice President at DCC which resulted in my being promoted to Financial Aid Director. I have held the positions of Member-at-Large, Secretary/Treasurer, President-Elect, President, and most recently Past President of MASFAA.

I find Financial Aid to be a challenging and rewarding career. As with most of us in this profession, I especially enjoy having a part in helping students obtain their education goals by easing the stress of funding their education.