NASSGAP Annual Conference 2016 Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale, FL PROGRAM AT A GLANCE Tuesday, October 18 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Executive Committee Registration – Terra & Aqua Ballrooms President’s 50th Reception, Terra & Aqua Ballrooms (Cocktail attire suggested.)

Wednesday, October 19 (All events Causeway 2 & 3 unless noted) Hot breakfast, Atrium (hotel guests) Registration Welcome, NASSGAP President Setting the Stage, NASSGAP Federal Liaison Host State Happenings Break Implementation of Free Community College with OR, MN & TN Higher Education Policy Forecast for DC, NCHER Lunch, Atrium New Ways to Model Affordability NASFAA Update Break State Roll Call Group Dinner, Bistro Mezzaluna Terrace – 1821 SE 10th Ave. Thursday, October 20 (All events Causeway 2 & 3 unless noted) 6:00 a.m. Hot breakfast, Atrium (hotel guests) 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Strategies to Serve Adult Students, SHEEO & CLASP 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Early Commitment Programs, Postsecondary Analytics 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break 10:45 – 12:00 p.m. State Financial Aid Redesign Lessons, ECS with CA, MS & PA 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Terrace Ballroom with White House Domestic Policy Council 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. U.S. Department of Education 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. FAFSA Outreach with CA, ME & MO 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Break 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Redesigning Aid Insights, NEBHE with MA 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. NASSGAP Business Meeting Dinner on Your Own Friday, October 21 (All events Causeway 2 & 3 unless noted) 6:00 a.m. Hot breakfast, Atrium (hotel guests) 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Ontario Financial Aid Reform 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Program Allocation Methods with MA & WA 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. State Roll Call & Conference Closure 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting 6:00 a.m. 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. 10:15 – 11:15 p.m. 11:15 – 12:15 p.m. 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. 3:45 – 5:30 p.m. 6: 30 p.m.

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NASSGAP Annual Conference 2016 Tuesday, October 18, 2016 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Executive Committee

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Registration – Terra & Aqua Ballrooms

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

President’s Reception – Terra & Aqua Ballrooms

Celebrate NASSGAP’s 50th and network with colleagues. Cocktail attire suggested.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016 6:00 a.m.

Hot breakfast, Atrium (hotel guests)

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Registration

8:30-8:45 a.m.

Welcome – NASSGAP President Stephanie Butler Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

Stephanie has been involved with NASSGAP for 19 years. She recognizes the value that this small but valuable organization provides in providing a united voice for the importance of state student financial aid as well as training and sharing opportunities for its members. She will welcome the group to the 50th anniversary event and share some thoughts about the organization as well as the conference program and activities. 8:45-9:15 a.m.

Setting the Stage – NASSGAP Federal Liaison Frank Ballmann New York Higher Education Services Corporation

Frank Ballmann has worked in the field of student financial aid for over 30 years. He has served as the federal liaison for NASSGAP since 2010 and advocates for the needs of students and voices of state aid administrating agencies in Washington DC. His efforts “on the hill” have been invaluable for NASSGAP and Frank will share his perspectives about the pending federal issues related to student financial aid and higher education, the role of various players, and predictions for the outcomes of the election season and impact on programs and issues. National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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9:15-10:00 a.m.

Host State Happenings

Brian Underhill, Florida Department of Education Moderator: Julie Leeper, Iowa The presentation will include an overview of higher education in Florida and recent initiatives that affect state financial aid. The discussion will also address FAFSA Completion, need vs. merit, and state reporting requirements. 10:00-10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15-11:15 a.m.

Implementation of Free Community College Programs

Meredith Fergus, Minnesota Office of Higher Education Susan Degen, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission Tim Phelps, Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Moderator: Katie Harrison, South Carolina Three states have new programs to offer free tuition to community college students – each has a slightly different approach and policy context. This session will compare program origins, status update, and predictions for the future for each state. 11:15 – 12:15 p.m.

Higher Education Policy Forecast for DC: Smooth Sailing or the (not so) Perfect Storm

James Bergeron, National Council of Higher Education Resources Moderator: Donna Thomas, Maryland James will provide attendees with a policy update on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the chances for enacting higher education reform in the 115th Congress, and areas of agreement and challenges between Republicans and Democrats and outside stakeholders. The session will also provide the latest preview of what is expected to happen in the November general election and the impact of a new President and new Congressional leadership on efforts to promote college access and success and college affordability. 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch – Atrium

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

New Ways to Model Affordability Jim Fridley, University of Washington Brian Prescott, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems Moderator: Jennifer Lanphear, Maine

State policymakers trying to strike the right balance of policies to support affordability often do not have much information on which to act. Incongruent datasets and a lack of consensus about what affordability means both contribute to the challenge. This session will explore National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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efforts to develop interactive models that allow states to project how different policies are likely to impact affordability, first from a single state’s perspective and then through comparisons across multiple states using Lumina’s recently released “Rule of 10” Affordability Benchmark.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

NASFAA Update

Stephen Payne, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Moderator: Elizabeth McCloud, Pennsylvania The NASFAA Update will present the most recent action in Congress and from the White House on federal student aid issues. This session will examine the budget and funding process as well as the most recent efforts on HEA reauthorization. This session will further discuss the implementation of prior-prior year (PPY) and Early FAFSA. 3:30 – 3:45 p.m.

Break

3:45 – 5:30 p.m.

State Roll Call

6:30 p.m.

Group Dinner, Bistro Mezzaluna Terrace – 1821 SE 10th Ave.

Thursday, October 20, 2016 6:00 a.m.

Hot breakfast, Atrium (hotel guests)

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Strategies to Serve Adult Students

Andy Carlson, State Higher Education Executive Officers Wayne Taliaferro, Center for Law and Social Policy Moderator: Lee Andes, Virginia Today, adult students constitute a significant share of the college student population. About 40 percent of students are over the age of the 25, and the average age of a community college student is 28. As states hone in further on their college completion and workforce attainment goals, it is critical that policies that support this population should be at the forefront of state postsecondary agendas. Currently, postsecondary agendas are largely targeted to traditional aged students matriculating directly out of high school. The enrollment patterns and lifestyles of these students can vary drastically from adult students, and policies predicated solely on this narrow group can exclude the needs and interests of adult students. By building more inclusive and responsive state financial aid policies, and more comprehensive promise programs, states can better serve this budding majority of students. Recent reports from both presenters will offer practical insights for policy makers on both issues.

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9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Early Commitment Aid Programs

Nate Johnson, Postsecondary Analytics Moderator: Irala Magee, Oklahoma Three states have programs that guarantee low-income middle school students will have their tuition and fees paid at any public college that admits them. This session will discuss what makes these programs such promising ways to address both financial need and the motivational and cultural barriers to college that low-income students face. What do the Oklahoma Promise, Indiana 21st-Century Scholars, and Washington College-Bound Scholars programs have in common? Are they merit-based or needbased programs, or somewhere in between? What features most likely contribute to their effectiveness? Recent results from a randomized trial of a similar program in Canada will also be presented and states will be invited to comment or ask questions about how such a model might work in their own context. 10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45 – 12:00 p.m.

State Financial Aid Redesign: Lessons Learned

Sarah Pingel, Education Commission of the States Christine Zuzack, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Jennifer Rogers, Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid Lupita Cortez Alcalá, California Student Aid Commission Moderator: Carla Foltyn, Michigan Over the past year, Education Commission of the States has actively assisted staff in Pennsylvania, California, and Mississippi with looking forward to changes on the horizon within their major aid programs. This panel conversation will focus on the change process through featuring voices from Education Commission of the States and from state financial aid agency staff. Panelists will share guiding principles, impetus for change, and advocacy strategies. The audience will discuss how and why change happens in state financial aid programs. 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.

Lunch, Terrace Ballroom with Ajita T. Menon White House Domestic Policy Council Moderators: Stephanie Butler, Alaska Clantha McCurdy, Massachusetts

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

U.S. Department of Education Jeff Appel, Deputy Under Secretary of Education Moderator: Susan Degen, Oregon Jeff will share several key policy initiatives that align efforts of Federal Student Aid, the Office of Postsecondary Education and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Jeff will also discuss preliminary results of “early FAFSA” and the use of “prior prior” tax information, as well as other pending issues in federal student aid. National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

FAFSA Outreach Lupita Cortez Alcalá, California Student Aid Commission Jennifer Lanphear, Finance Authority of Maine Leroy Wade, Missouri Department of Higher Education Moderator: Jennifer Rogers, Mississippi This panel discussion will feature representatives from California, Maine, and Missouri discussing all things FAFSA. These NASSGAP members will report on their participation in the FAFSA Completion Project before focusing on Early FAFSA. The panelists will discuss their efforts to prepare for the FAFSA to launch three months early on October 1, using prior-prior year income. They will share their challenges and issues throughout the planning and implementation processes, and they will offer first impressions and reactions since October 1. Plenty of time will be reserved for questions and broad discussion on this timely, hot topic. 3:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Recommendations for Low Cost Actions to Strengthen State Aid – Redesigning Student Aid in New England Gretchen Syverud, New England Board of Higher Education Stafford Peat, New England Board of Higher Education Clantha McCurdy, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Moderator: Renee Davis, Nevada With New England as a microcosm of a national affordability problem, findings from the NEBHE Redesigning Student Aid in New England project suggest free or low cost actions for higher education leaders to strengthen the impact of state financial aid on college affordability. Recommendations range from ways to change policymakers’ perceptions of current students and their needs to adopting principles of user experience design to create more effective communications. Recommendations often involve roles for students and community-based organizations. 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

NASSGAP Business Meeting Dinner on Your Own

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Friday, October 20, 2106 6:00 a.m.

Hot breakfast, Atrium (hotel guests)

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Reform of Ontario’s Financial Aid System

Noah Morris, Ontario Student Financial Aid Assistance Moderator: Rachelle Sharpe, Washington The Province Ontario, Canada’s largest province, has embarked the largest reform of student financial assistance in its history. This reform involves moving to a largely grantbased system of assistance, that covers the average cost of university and college tuition for most low and middle income students. This reform will move Ontario and its large postsecondary system based into an environment based on “Net Tuition”, from planning, application, offer and finally to payment. This session will outline the elements of the reform, and the complex interaction between levels of government and Ontario’s educational institutions. It will also outline lessons learned and provide a range of best practices that will be of interest to student aid practitioners in North America. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Program Allocation Methods

Robert Brun, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Becky Thompson, Washington Student Achievement Council Moderator: Ritchie Morrow, Nebraska The methods states use to distribute program funding are as diverse as the programs themselves. Two members will their states approach including methodology, data systems, timelines and challenges and there will be time for discussion and sharing. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

State Roll Call & Conference Closure

11:30 – 12:00 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting

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Speaker Bios Lupita Cortez Alcalá, California Student Aid Commission, Executive Director Lupita became Executive Director of CSAC in January 2016, bringing comprehensive experience in education policy; program development and evaluation; government and legislative affairs; and advocacy and community relations. Lupita spent more than 12 years with the California Department of Education (CDE) as a chief advisor to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, serving as Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and Learning. Prior to working with the CDE, Lupita worked as Deputy Legislative Secretary for Governor Gray Davis. Lupita began her career as an Early Academic Outreach Counselor for the University of California, San Diego. Lupita holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego and a master’s degree in planning administration and social policy from the Harvard University School of Education. Jeff Appel, U.S. Deparment of Education Office of the Under Secretary, Deputy Under Secretary As Deputy Under Secretary, Jeff oversees postsecondary student aid policy initiatives that align the efforts of Federal Student Aid, the Office of Postsecondary Education, and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Jeff first joined the Department in 2011 as a Senior Policy Advisor for Higher Education and Student Financial Aid in the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. From 2007 to 2011, Jeff worked for Congressman George Miller as a Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Education and Labor, where he led numerous student aid and higher education policy efforts that guided legislation for the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act, the 2008 Higher Education Act reauthorization, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Prior to working for the House Education and Labor Committee, Jeff was an Assistant Director at the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) Education, Workforce, and Income Security group, responsible for managing much of the GAO’s research concerning student aid and other postsecondary education issues. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University. Frank Ballmann, New York Higher Education Services Corporation Frank has worked with HESC since 2008, initially as a consultant; he came on board as a HESC Director of Federal Relations in October 2009. As part of his HESC role, he became the NASSGAP federal relations lead in Washington DC in March 2010. He has over 30 years of experience in the education finance and financial aid arena; more importantly, he also has the experience of paying for his college education with a combination of Pell, Perkins, WorkStudy, and Stafford, as well as institutional aid (although it was BEOG, NDSL, Work-Study and FISL back then). Prior to HESC, Mr. Ballmann has worked for a variety of organizations, ranging from start-ups to financial institutions to a variety of not-for-profits. He has provided advisory services to State agencies or authorities in Alaska, California, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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and Virginia as well as the US Department of Education. Mr. Ballmann holds a degree in Accounting and Political Science from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned his CPA certificate. James Bergeron, National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER), President and Chief Executive Officer NCHER represents state, nonprofit, and for-profit education finance organizations that assist students, borrowers, parents, and families access, manage, and pay for the costs of postsecondary education. Prior to joining NCHER in 2014, James worked as the Director of Education and Human Services Policy for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. In this capacity, he advised Chairman John Kline, members, and staff, and oversaw policy development on all areas of education and human services programs, including the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the Head Start Act, and other federal laws governing elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education. Before joining the Committee in 2006, Bergeron served as Legislative Director in California Rep. Buck McKeon’s personal office where he was responsible for developing and implementing the legislative agenda within the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness. He authored important legislative initiatives on college affordability and financial aid simplification. Bergeron began his Capitol Hill service more than 20 years ago as a Legislative Assistant to former Louisiana Rep. Bob Livingston, who chaired the House Appropriations Committee. He also served as Vice President of MARC Associates (now part of Holland & Knight), a government relations firm where he consulted for a number of elementary and secondary education and higher education organizations. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Andy Carlson, State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), Principal Policy Analyst Andy joined SHEEO in September 2011. He manages and compiles the annual State Higher Education Finance Report (SHEF) and works on various other policy studies at SHEEO including the State Policy Resource Connection (SPRC) and the periodic Tuition, Fee, and Financial Aid Policy survey. Prior to joining SHEEO, Andy worked for six years at the Colorado Department of Higher Education (the state’s coordinating board) as the Budget and Financial Aid Director. In this role, he managed and developed governing board and state-level budget appropriation requests. In addition, he was responsible for the collection, analysis, and presentation of institution-level financial data, including tuition and fee revenue, student FTE, and detailed revenue and expenditure reporting. Prior to working at DHE, Andy worked at the Colorado Office of the State Auditor and the Bighorn Center for Public Policy. He holds a M.P.A. degree from the University of Colorado-Denver and a B.A. in history from Indiana University.

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Susan Degen, Office of Student Access and Completion/Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, State Grants and Government Affairs Administrator Susan has served Oregon’s college students since 1990, when she joined the staff at what is now the Office of Student Access and Completion within Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. She’s been the State Grants and Government Affairs Administrator at OSAC since 2004 and, before that, served for 14 years as a policy analyst for OSAC’s federally guaranteed student loan program. Susan has been a member of numerous committees for NASSGAP, the Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the former National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs (now NCHER). Her background includes not only financial aid (OSAC grant and loan programs) but also publishing (trade magazines, education policy); and higher education (literature professor in China, English instructor at Umpqua Community College). Meredith Fergus, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Manager of Financial Aid Research Meredith is the Manager of Financial Aid Research and Minnesota’s P-20 data system (SLEDS) Coordinator for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Her background in is policy research, statistics and enrollment management. Her responsibilities include cost projections and policy development for the Minnesota State Grant program and research related to college access, student outcomes and student financial aid. Nate Johnson, Founder of Postsecondary Analytics & HCM Strategists,Senior Consultant Nate serves as the state policy lead for comprehensive state financial aid for the Lumina Foundation-supported Strategy Labs and has worked with groups in more than 20 states to make more strategic investments in affordability. Prior to starting his consulting practice, Nate directed institutional research for the State University System of Florida and also held positions at the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Education. He earned his PhD. in English from Cornell and his bachelor's degree from Whitman College. Jennifer Lanphear, Finance Authority of Maine, College Access Counselor Jennifer’s professional background is in saving for and paying for college, program delivery, and evaluation with a focus on the adult learner. She has nearly thirty years of industry experience focused on educating Maine families about options and analyzing the outcomes. Jennifer earned her B.A. in mathematics at the University of Maine with a minor in psychology. Clantha McCurdy, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Senior Deputy Commissioner for Access and Student Financial Assistance Clantha manages the Office of Student Financial Assistance, which administers all statefunded financial aid programs and has oversight responsibility for additional statewide initiatives. Clantha joined the Department in 1994 and represents the Commonwealth in numerous state, regional and national organizations and has provided leadership in gaining access to higher education for students throughout the Commonwealth. She won the 2006 Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance for the DHE for her work with the Task Force on Student Financial Aid. She has more than 25 years of higher education experience, National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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with previous service to the Kansas Board of Regents, the University of Kansas, and USA group, a federal guarantor for student loans. In her employment at the Kansas Board of Regents, she managed the statewide financial aid programs. Ajita Talwalker Menon, White House Domestic Policy Council, Senior Policy Advisor Ajita was previously senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Department of Education Office of the Undersecretary, and has served as education policy advisor to the House Committee on Education and Labor. Earlier, she was policy analyst at The Institute for College Access & Success and James H. Dunn Fellow in the Office of the Governor of Illinois. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she organized campaigns to expand educational access for students, and served a two-year term at the United States Student Association. She also holds a master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Noah Morris, Ontario Student Financial Assistance, Director Noah has responsibility for delivery of 26 programs in support of Student Financial Assistance in Ontario, including provincial and federal student loan and bursary programs. Noah took on this position in March 2009. Prior to this, Noah was the Director of Finance for the Ontario Ministries of Education, and Training Colleges and Universities. Noah has held numerous positions in the Ontario Public Service over 20 years, including executive positions in Treasury Board, Management Board of Cabinet, Community and Social Services, Municipal Affairs and Housing. Noah holds an undergraduate degree from McGill University, and Graduate degrees from McGill and Queen’s University. Stephen Payne, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), Federal Relations Associate Stephen works primarily on NASFAA’s congressional advocacy and policy priorities. Stephen joined NASFAA in June 2015. Stephen is a graduate of Penn State University where he studied education policy and communication arts and sciences. Stafford Peat, New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), Senior Consultant Stafford is the co-director of the Redesigning Student Aid in New England Project - a project that supports three states in the region to redesign and align their student financial aid policies, priorities and programs to increase postsecondary attainment. Prior to NEBHE he served as the Director of Secondary School Services at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education leading the state’s efforts to increase high school graduation and college readiness rates. Tim Phelps, Tennessee Student Assistance Commission, Associate Executive Director for Grant & Scholarship Programs Tim is the Associate Executive Director for Grant & Scholarship Programs and has served in this role for just over 10 years. He oversees the Grants & Scholarships Division at TSAC and is responsible for administration of the state’s financial aid programs. Prior to joining TSAC, Tim was employed by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority for 11 years most National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs 11

recently serving as the Student Aid Branch Manager. Tim holds a B.S. from the University of Kentucky. Brian Prescott, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, Associate Vice President Brian recently joined the staff at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) to work with states on public policies impacting student access, affordability, and post-collegiate outcomes. Previously, Brian spent more than 11 years at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), where he co-managed the policy unit’s activities and led projects related to state financial aid, data systems development and use, and demographic projections. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Virginia. Sarah Pingel, Education Commission of the States, Policy Analyst Sarah supports states by providing analysis tailored to student financial aid and college affordability policies. A data wonk at heart, she also prepares research, authors reports and organizes convenings designed to help policy leaders learn from one another. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, a master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and recently completed her doctoral degree at the University of Denver. Jennifer Rogers, Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, Director Jennifer oversees administration of the state’s 32 student financial aid programs. Since Jennifer took leadership of the office in 2009, the Office has reduced its administrative budget while increasing the number of students eligible for the state’s only need-based grant program by more than 600%. Jennifer previously led the development efforts for the state’s college access website, www.riseupms.com (Rise Up!). Jennifer is a native of Mississippi. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of the South (Sewanee) in Tennessee, her MBA from Millsaps College in Jackson, and is currently working on her Ed.D. in Higher Education Policy from the University of Mississippi. Gretchen Syverud, New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), Associate Director of Policy & Research Gretchen leads NEBHE’s Policy team in tracking and analyzing higher education trends, issues, strategies, policies, and best practices to support institutions, systems, legislators and state leaders in New England. Previously, at Simmons College (MA), she facilitated data-driven decision-making and policy-setting through her work in institutional research. Gretchen earned her bachelor’s degree in economics at Jacksonville University and her master’s degree in higher education at the University of Pennsylvania. Wayne Taliaferro, Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Policy Analyst Wayne researches and advocates for policies that help remove barriers to postsecondary access and success for low-income, nontraditional students. His current projects at CLASP focus primarily on state financial aid policy, postsecondary access and success for adult National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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students, and postsecondary opportunities for adults with involvement in the correctional system. Prior to joining CLASP, Wayne served as an institutional research analyst at the University of Maryland-College Park, where he conducted data analysis and higher education policy research in the areas of enrollment and transfer policy, access and diversity impacts, and student success outcomes, and served on the board of the statewide association of institutional research. He has also held roles as a research consultant for Collegiate Directions, Inc. and as a coordinator and analyst at DC Public Schools. He has an undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University. Becky Thompson, Washington Student Achievement Council, Director of Student Financial Assistance Becky started working with at the Washington Student Achievement Council in January 2014, and currently serves as the Director of Student Financial Assistance. She began her now over 20 year career in student financial aid as a student employee at the University of Puget Sound. After graduation, Becky continued her work at Puget Sound as a financial aid counselor, and then assistant director, before joining EDFUND as client relations manager and assistant vice president. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington, and bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Puget Sound. Brian Underhill, Florida Department of Education, Director of Grants & Scholarships Brian completed his undergraduate work at Mercer University. In 2003, he received a MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill with a focus in local government. After a few years of employment with a private consulting firm, he began working for the Florida Legislature in a research and evaluation capacity. His assigned projects included education with a focus on research and analysis of financial aid legislation. This research included major work related to Florida’s largest merit-based program, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. After nine years of service with the Florida Legislature, Brian was offered his current position as Director of Florida’s grant and scholarship programs, including Bright Futures. The oversight and administration of these myriad of programs includes a staff of over 20 and a current year budget of over $500M. Brian has served in this capacity for the last three years. Leroy Wade, Missouri Department of Higher Education, Deputy Commissioner Leroy is the liaison to the Missouri General Assembly on all matters relating to Missouri higher education. He is involved in all aspects of agency operation including strategic planning for higher education in the state, the department’s outcomes-based funding initiative, and the capital improvement appropriation process for Missouri public higher education. In addition, Leroy provides leadership for the operation of 12 state funded student financial assistance programs, for early awareness and outreach activities, and for the proprietary school certification program. Leroy received a B.A. in political science from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri; and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the University of MissouriColumbia. National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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Christine A. Zuzack, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Vice President, State Grant and Special Programs Christine oversees the policy directives for all of the state supported grant, scholarship, and employment programs administered by PHEAA. Chris worked for 27 years in student financial aid administration at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Community College of Allegheny County before joining PHEAA. She served as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA), President of the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA) and was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). Most recently in 2013-2014, she served as President of the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP). She has a bachelor’s degree from Grove City College and two Master’s degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is currently working on her dissertation for a Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies.

Thank you to the 2016 Conference Committee! Theresa Antworth, Florida Frank Ballmann, New York Todd Brown, Iowa Stephanie Butler, Alaska Marilyn Cargill, Vermont Jason Chavez, New Jersey Susan Degen, Oregon Mark French, Connecticut David Hughes, Utah Jennifer, Lanphear, Maine Julie Leeper, Iowa Diane Lindeman, Kansas Elizabeth McDuffie, North Carolina Ritchie Morrow, Nebraska Jennifer Rogers, Mississippi Rachelle Sharpe, Washington* Michael Solomon, Illinois Leroy Wade, Missouri Brenda Zastoupil, North Dakota* Christine Zuzack, Pennsylvania National Association of State Student Grant Aid Programs

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*Co-Chairs

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