In the Spotlight:
Penny James, RMASFAA Secretary
 I was born August 24, 1960, in Columbus, Nebraska. Attended public schools in Columbus and after graduating from high school enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames, IA.
After high school, I attended Doane College and soon set my sights on a career in human resources. I was hired as a work-study student in the financial aid office my last two years, and during my senior year Linda Papik encouraged me to consider financial aid as a career. My thought on the matter was "No way!" But . . .
After a year in retail management and a short period of unemployment, a position in financial aid at Southeast Community College (Lincoln) looked pretty appealing. This was still not a career option for me, but a way to pay the bills until I found "a real job". Well, that was in 1986!
Two years later, I applied for and was offered a job at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During my five years at UNL, I took classes toward my Master of Arts degree in business management, with an emphasis in . . . human resources. Yes, I was still planning a career outside financial aid!
I would have to blame/thank former UNL Financial Aid Director John Beacon for the path I have taken since then, because he was the first to seriously suggest that I had what it takes to be a financial aid director. When someone expresses that level of confidence in your abilities, it's amazing how your own perspective can change. The next thing I knew, I was moving to Cheyenne to be the Financial Aid Director at Laramie County Community College. This move provided the opportunity for me to become very involved in WyASFAA and RMASFAA. I was WyASFAA Secretary, President-Elect and President, served on the RMASFAA Board of Directors, volunteered to be a trainer for Decentralized Training, then for the U.S. Dept of Education, and was invited to teach at Summer Institute. Somehow during this time I also wrote a thesis and earned my MA degree from UNL in 1996.
My next move in 1999 took me to Wichita State University, where I was Associate Director until April 2002. Being so far away from family I decided "there's no place like home" and in May 2002 I returned to Nebraska as Financial Aid Director at Western Nebraska Community College! I am also serving as RMASFAA Secretary for the current year, and am the Neophyte Dean on the Summer Institute Committee. Yes, my life is busy - but probably no more so than anyone reading this.
Through working at the various institutions and my involvement in state associations and RMASFAA, I have met some amazing people. This profession may not be for everyone, but those who have made this their niche are dedicated, caring, genuine, people who give of themselves freely - to their students, employers, and colleagues. They are busy, fun loving, intelligent, and they have become my extended family! There is no place like home, and I am home!
Just so you don't think I'm a total financial aid geek with no life outside of work, let me list some of my hobbies and outside interests. I share my home with my cat Jesse James, and at least two other cats have chosen my yard and deck to spend considerable time. I love spending time with friends and family, and I escape to the mountains as often as I can. I also enjoy music, photography, counted cross-stitching, quilting, and I have a home business as a Mary Kay Consultant.
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