A Few Questions with Shareen Thewke
Assistant Director of Financial Aid at University of Nebraska-Omaha
President of the Nebraska Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

1. Exchange: Shareen, how long have you served as Assistant Director of Financial Aid at UNO? What other jobs have you had in the world of financial aid?

Shareen: I have been the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at UNO for the past 2 ½ years. Before coming to UNO, I worked at Doane College for 7 years. I mainly worked on the Doane Lincoln Campus, which is a whole different world from a traditional four-year campus.

2. Exchange: This year, you are serving as the President of NeASFAA. What are some of the projects and initiatives that you hope to accomplish in your role?

Shareen: NeASFAA needs to define what its mission will be in the next few years. My hope is to get started on that definition and move NeASFAA towards that goal.

3. Exchange: Tell us about UNO. What are a few things that you think are unique about your school?

Shareen: While UNO is a larger public university, we just recently got on-campus housing. UNO was started mainly to be commuter campus so that is a little unique when you think of a traditional four-year university.

4. Exchange: How many folks work in your office? Tell us a bit about your team.

Shareen: We have an amazing team!!! We have 15 people in our office and everybody is just amazing. We are so blessed to have a great staff who care about their work and the students.

5. Exchange: What are a few of the challenges and changes you see on the horizon for your office?

Shareen: Technology continues to shape our office and change duties. We are trying to be more technology-efficient and that means approaching duties differently.

6. Exchange: How about the University of Nebraska-Omana as whole? What challenges and changes are they facing?

Shareen: UNO is trying to grow while being “landlocked” in the middle of Omaha. Also, we want to look at providing more on-campus housing to appeal to a broader audience.

7. Exchange: Tell us about your family and what you do for fun and relaxation.

Shareen: Family and relaxation!!! Not sure the two coexist!!! Just kidding. Well, I have been married almost 2 years and we are expecting our first child late September. We are having a little boy and are just thrilled with the new addition. This is the first grandchild for both sides of the family. My husband is a teacher for a nearby school district. Currently he has the summer off but is painting for a few of our friends. Next summer he will be a stay-at-home dad!!! For relaxation, I love to exercise and just be around my friends. They keep me sane.