Updates from Kansas
Coordinated by Julie Esau, College Board, RMASFAA Exchange Committee member

Lots of Staff Changes at University of Kansas
Submitted by Stephanie Covington, Associate Director

Clinton Everhart - Assistant Director: Clinton received his BA Degree in Communication and Minor in Spanish from Wichita State University and his Master's Degree in Higher Education and Post-Secondary Education Administration from Arizona State University. Clinton most recently served as KU Continuing Education's Manager for Student Services and Recruitment. Clinton's responsibilities include Verification, Special Circumstances, QAP, and Distance Education.

Jeremy Early - Assistant Director: Jeremy received his BA Degree in Communication from Truman State University and his Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from KU. Jeremy has most recently served as a Complex Director at KU. His responsibilities include Satisfactory Academic Progress and Institutional Grants.

Sara Vancil - Assistant Director: Sara received her BA in Psychology from KU and her Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. Sara comes to us from Princeton University, where she most recently served as an Internship Coordinator & Career Counselor in the Office of Career Services. Her responsibilities include Mass Packaging, Hand Awarding, and Scholarships.

Justin Brown - Assistant Director: Justin received his BS Degree in Psychology from Texas A & M University and his MS Degree in Higher Education Administration from KU. Justin most recently served in the Office of Student Resources, Wellness, & Diversity at The University of Kansas Medical Center. Justin's responsibilities include Communications, Presentation Development, and Outreach to Special Populations.

Laina Edwards - Financial Aid Counselor: Laina received her BA Degrees in Corporate Communication and Marketing from Simpson College. Laina recently relocated to Lawrence after working for The University of Georgia as the Program Coordinator for the Freshman College Summer Experience. Laina's responsibilities include seeing appointments, conducting presentations, and processing scholarships.

Debbi Johanning - Loan Coordinator: Debbi received her BA Degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. She was employed in the KU OSFA during her undergraduate studies and most recently worked for US Bank.

Patrick Wilbur - Scholarship Coordinator: Patrick earned his BGS in Political Science at the University of Kansas. Patrick was previously employed by Pearson Government Solutions for over 10 years. His responsibilities include processing KU Endowment Scholarships and working with Scholarship Coordinators across campus.

Jaclyn Hackathorn - Administrative Associate Senior: Jaclyn has taken coursework at Neosho Community College, Highland Community College and Johnson County Community College. Jaclyn comes to us from Kaw Valley Bank & Trust. Jaclyn performs a variety of accounting duties and assists students.

Updates from Montana
Coordinated by Amber Dushin, Carroll College, RMASFAA Exchange Committee Member

Angie Helland was promoted to Assistant Director of Loans in May at Montana State University-Bozeman.

Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program has hired Robin Graham as the new Chief Financial Officer. Ron Muffick was promoted to Associate Director.

Montana Tech has promoted Tressa Johnson to Financial Aid Specialist in April.In May, Sylvia Hiltz accepted the Administrative Associate III Position. Sylvia has been with the office as an Administrative Associate I since September of 2005. On June 11th, Jessica O’Boyle Layne was hired as the Administrative Associate I. Jessica graduated in May of 2007 with 2 Associates Degrees, one in Accounting Technology & Health Care Informatics. She was a student employee in our Mail & Copy Center. Montana Tech is very excited to finally have a full staff.

Brenda Sebastian Chafin, SunGard Higher Education, married William Chafin in Great Falls on April 21st. They went on a week long cruise in the Bahamas on their honeymoon.

SAF Awards $1.2 Million in Acce$$ Grants to Montana Colleges
Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) recently awarded $1.2 million in Acce$$ Grants to 21 Montana colleges and universities for the upcoming academic year.

For many Montana students, affordability is a major barrier to pursuing their postsecondary education goals. SAF provides funding to help ease the financial strains on students and their families, and makes it possible for them to continue their higher education. Since the program’s inception in 2000, SAF has awarded $4.5 million in Acce$$ Grants to Montana colleges and universities.

Acce$$ Grants are awarded to students through the financial aid offices based on qualification criteria developed by each financial aid office. Financial aid officers determine individual award amounts in a manner that best meets the needs of the students. The funds are educational grants gifted to students that do not need to be repaid.

For more information about the program, visit www.safmt.org.

Montana Foster Care Youth Get A Step Ahead
Montana foster care youth will converge at Carroll College July 10-12 to attend the “A Step Ahead” college preparatory camp.

The program—coordinated by Student Assistance Foundation—offers foster care students the opportunity to experience learning in a college campus setting.

The more than 150 Montana foster care youth who graduate from high school each year must overcome staggering odds. After years of placements in different homes, they face a future without the strong support system that many of their peers enjoy. National statistics show that while 10 percent of foster youth go on to college, only three percent graduate.

“The camp also reinforces the value and impact a postsecondary education can have on their lives,” said Rhonda Wodnik, community outreach manager and foster care coordinator. “We want foster care youth to understand that higher education is within their reach.”

Students from across the state will participate in activities geared toward teaching them basic computer skills, how to use the Montana Career Information System (MCIS) database, debt management techniques and more.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the camp is that each participant receives a new computer to take home—a tool that camp coordinators believe is critical for success in college.

The 2007 camp marks the second of its kind to be held at Carroll College.

Updates from Colorado
Coordinated by Thomas Rockwood, CollegeAssist, RMASFAA Exchange Committee Member

Student From Colorado School of Mines Wins Student Employee of The Year for Colorado State
Thomas Wells from the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) at the Colorado School of Mines (Mines) was chosen as the 2007 ‘Student Employee of the Year’. He will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Colorado School of Mines for this achievement. Additionally, the ‘Student Employee of the Year’ committee members from the Western Association of Student Employment Administrators (WASEA) voted Thomas as Colorado’s ‘Student Employee of the Year’. Thomas was presented with a plaque and a $50 check for this accomplishment at the Student Employee of the Year Luncheon on April 11th.

Thomas expressed his gratitude in a letter addressed to all people involved in the Student Employee of the Year process, “I know that all of the nominees were highly qualified, and I personally know several of the Mines students that were nominated, so please believe me when I say that I am very honored to have been selected. To be named student employee of the year for both the Colorado School of Mines and the state of Colorado at the luncheon that day was surreal at best. I do the things I do because I am passionate about them, not because I desire fame or fortune, and so the recognition I received was definitely unexpected, but at the same time greatly appreciated.”

“He is a leader among leaders. He constantly sets the standard for everyone that works as part of the ORC team.” says supervisor Rob Thompson. Thomas has worked over 400 hours without pay to develop a new and more efficient operating system for the ORC. Thomas has expanded his job knowledge and skills by obtaining many certifications and attending trainings which he personally funded.

"His extensive contributions to the ORC strongly impact the program and the recent growth and success of the program.” – Rob Thompson

Update from Wyoming
Coordinated by Carle Williams, Northwest College, RMASFAA Exchange Committee Member

Robyn DeVries, University of Wyoming, who has been with UW for many years has decided to leave for another opportunity across the campus. The staff will certainly miss her.