Scott reflects on his first NASFAA Conference experience
Though I’m not a stranger to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)’s offerings and even helped to plan a joint Wisconsin ASFAA/ACRAO conference a few years back, last month was my first opportunity to attend NASFAA’s annual conference just down the road at the recently updated Baird Center in Milwaukee! In 3.5 days of events, we learned a lot together and confirmed how hard and complex financial aid can be, but the team at UW–Madison are clear leaders in the field and have accomplished great things while up against what often feels like insurmountable barriers. We fostered new relationships and reconnected with others. And it was clear that the work we do here at UW continues to be a national model for others to follow.
The work of financial aid administrators isn’t easy. While we manage the day to day and experiences of our students first-hand, the abundance of ever-changing rules and regulations are hard for everyone to keep up with. Storey, Federal Student Aid’s Director for Policy Implementation & Oversight, showed some honest vulnerability and was authentic in her apology for what she knows has been an extremely challenging time for financial aid administrators and our students. I always find it inspiring when courageous leadership is displayed, especially in difficult times and with almost 2500 industry professionals together, in-person.
So many examples showed me that we are a national model in many ways for other financial aid offices and schools to consider. When All in Milwaukee was given their donation as the conference charity, it was an honor to have the team here at UW recognized alongside them for our partnership. Together, our work not only gets local students to school, but keeps them there until they succeed to a degree. This partnership is a testament to what can be done when organizations work together to support a student’s entire journey and maybe a few schools in the room will take it as an example for how they move forward in their own collaborations.
And lastly, conferences are what they are because of the people. I was able to connect with many of our Big Ten Peers, reconnected with several folks I had met when working with WASFAA those years ago, and especially enjoyed the opportunity to spend time getting to know OSFA team members on a new and more personal level. I even took some colleagues to experience some WI traditions the Old German Beer Hall on Old World 3rd to play the game Hammerschlagen and feast on a giant pretzel. It’s rare and unique to have this time outside of the office to spend with some of you and I valued each interaction.
Oh, and if you’re hungry and in downtown Milwaukee – the best meal I had was at the Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen.
– Scott Owczarek