GASFAA Spring 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

1:30pm EDT

GASFAA Executive Board Meeting

Monday May 20, 2024 1:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Fallen Timbers II

6:30pm EDT

Executive Board & Conference Committee Dinner

Monday May 20, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
TBD

Meals

8:30am EDT

Breakfast

Bacon, egg, & cheese croissant
Ham, egg, & cheese croissant
Sausage, egg, & cheese biscuit
Sliced fruit
Assorted pastries
Bagels & cream cheese
Coffee
Chilled Juices

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
White Oak I-III

Meals

8:30am EDT

Vendor Set-up

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Pre-Function Area

8:30am EDT

Registration Open

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
Registration Desk

9:30am EDT

Application Process - NASFAA Credential

Presenters

Corinne Supernor

Deputy Director, Georgia Military College

I've been in Financial Aid for 19 years, and I am currently serving as the Deputy Director at Georgia Military College. I've been living in Georgia just a little over a year now, and I'm finding it so green and lush here! As a California transplant, I am adjusting to the fact that... Read More →

24 GASFAA PP Template Application Processing pptx

Tuesday May 21, 2024 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
Fallen Timbers I

General Sessions

9:30am EDT

Data Use Under FUTURE Act

Presenters

Leigh Ann Hussey

President-Elect, University of West Georgia

Leigh Ann Hussey is the Director of Financial Aid at the University of West Georgia and is currently serving as the SASFAA President-Elect. A native of Mississippi, Leigh Ann held positions at both Itawamba Community College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before venturing... Read More →

Shannon Jones

Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Inceptia

Shannon’s experience in several areas of higher education began at Shorter University in admissions where her primary responsibility was conducting presentations about the university and the financial aid process. She transitioned to the student lending arm of Regions Bank conducting... Read More →

Moderator

Wanda Pickens, Ph.D.

Senior Assistant Director Financial Aid, University of Georgia

Dr. Wanda Pickens currently serves as the Senior Assistant Director of Eligibility Determination & Program Management at the University of Georgia. In this role, she manages and coordinates determinations of student eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs. Wanda is... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

9:30am EDT

Need Analysis - NASFAA Credential

Presenters

Jocelyn Dixon

Director of Financial Aid, North Georgia Technical College

Jocelyn Dixon currently serves as the Director of Financial Aid at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC). Her financial aid experience measures over 8 years (7 in the Technical College System of Georgia and 1 year in the University System of Georgia). Her prior roles include Financial... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

9:30am EDT

SAI Deep Dive

Presenters

Brenda Taylor-Hickey

Director of Financial Aid, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Moderator

Elise Boyett

Financial Aid Asst Director, Ogeechee Technical College

Tuesday May 21, 2024 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

10:00am EDT

Vendors Open

Tuesday May 21, 2024 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Pre-Function Area

11:00am EDT

Past Presidents' Meeting and Lunch

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Fallen Timbers II

Meals

11:10am EDT

First Time Attendees - Meet & Greet

Presenters

Kristie Teasley

Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Georgia Highlands College

Kristie Teasley is currently the Director of Financial Aid at Georgia Highlands College. She has over 19 years of experience as a financial aid administrator. Kristie has been very active in state and regional financial aid associations as a committee member, an elected officer and... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:10am - 11:30am EDT
White Oak VI

11:30am EDT

Welcome - LaGrange Police Dept Honor Guard - Flag Presentation, LaGrange High School Chorus Members - National Anthem

Presenters

Kristie Teasley

Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Georgia Highlands College

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:30am - 11:35am EDT
White Oak I-III

11:35am EDT

Lunch

Classic Caesar salad
Southern fried chicken
Beer battered white fish
Classic lasagna
Asparagus
Macaroni and cheese
Peach cobbler
Banana pudding
Cornbread/Rolls

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:35am - 12:30pm EDT
White Oak I-III

Meals

12:30pm EDT

Opening Session

Tuesday May 21, 2024 12:30pm - 1:25pm EDT
White Oak I-III

General Sessions

1:35pm EDT

Financial Value Transparency, Gainful Employment, and Other Reporting Requirements - Yep, we’re all impacted.

Presenters

Leigh Ann Hussey

President-Elect, University of West Georgia

Dr. Maria Hammett

Associate Vice President, Mercer University

Fall 2018: State Track

Moderator

Kristie Teasley

Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Georgia Highlands College

Tuesday May 21, 2024 1:35pm - 2:50pm EDT
White Oak I-III

General Session

2:00pm EDT

Vendors Open

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Pre-Function Area

3:00pm EDT

2024-2025 Pell Grant Deep Dive/Changes

Presenters

Tiffany Benson

Moderator

Samantha Hitchcock

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

3:00pm EDT

Effective Collaboration in Enrollment Management

Presenters

Dr. Michael Poll

Vice President of Enrollment Management and Institutional Research, Georgia Gwinnett College

Michael Poll graduated from Menlo College (California) where he earned a B.S. in business management. He received an M.A. in educational administration from San Jose State University and a doctorate of education in curriculum and leadership from Columbus State University. Poll started... Read More →

Kimberly Jordan

Exec Dir Financial Aid, Georgia Gwinnett College

Fall 2018: Leadership Track

Moderator

Sherita Edmonds

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

3:00pm EDT

Federal Work-Study Panel

Presenters

Emma Stich

Director of Financial Planning Services, Mercer University

I started my Financial Aid career as a student employee in college at Mercer. After four years, I graduated and went to work as an Admission Counselor at Wesleyan College. After one year in Admissions, I knew I needed to go back to Financial Aid, and landed back at Mercer. Over... Read More →

Courtney Ray

I have been in Financial Aid since December 2003. I have been in the Technical College System and love it. I developed a real passion for assisting students with meeting their educational goals. I have always been a bit of a problem solver and that has always led me to find... Read More →

Emily Baldwin

Assistant Director of Federal Work-Study Program Management, University of Georgia

Emily Baldwin is the Assistant Director for Federal Work-Study Programs and also serves as the OSFA Peer Financial Counseling Program Coordinator at the University of Georgia. Emily has 3 years of experience in the financial aid field. She has passed all 16 of NASFAA's financial aid... Read More →

Moderator

Janee Knippenberg

Relationship Manager, PNC Bank

GASFAA FWS Panel PowerPoint pptx

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

3:00pm EDT

Professional Judgment: Best Practices

Presenters

Jennifer Benson

Asstant Director for Verification & Appeals, University of Georgia

Wanda Pickens, Ph.D.

Senior Assistant Director Financial Aid, University of Georgia

Sarah Baumhoff

Director of Student Support, Kennesaw State University

Sarah Baumhoff, FAAC® is the Director of Student Support, Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at Kennesaw State University. Sarah has served in a variety of roles in both public and private institutions for the last 27 years in financial aid since her time as a work-study student... Read More →

Moderator

Melodie Pirone

Financial Aid Director, Southern Crescent Technical College

Certified Financial Aid Administrator®Southern Crescent Technical College12 yrs 3 mos12 yrs 3 mosAssistant Director Of Financial AidSep 2018 - Present · 4 yrs 9 mosFinancial Aid SpecialistJun 2013 - Sep 2018 · 5 yrs 4 mosFinancial Aid technicianMar 2011 - Jun 2013 · 2 yrs 4 m... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

3:00pm EDT

Silent Auction Open

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
White Oak I-III

4:00pm EDT

GA Independent - Sector Meeting

Presenters

Jenna Colvin

President, Georgia Independent College Association

Jenna Colvin is the president of the Georgia Independent College Association. She is responsible for statewide representation with Congress, the governor, the Georgia General Assembly and the public K-12 and higher education sectors for Georgia's 24 Independent Colleges that are part... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

4:00pm EDT

Private & Proprietary - Sector Meeting

Tuesday May 21, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

4:00pm EDT

TCSG - Sector Meeting

Presenters

James Chiara

Client Services Manager, Technical College System of Georgia

James Chiara has worked within the Technical College System of Georgia since 2011, at four different colleges, and now at the system office in Atlanta. His prior roles have been financial aid advisor, financial aid systems coordinator, assistant director of financial aid, banner project... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

4:00pm EDT

USG - Sector Meeting

Presenters

Sarah Baumhoff

Director of Student Support, Kennesaw State University

Tuesday May 21, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

5:00pm EDT

President’s Reception

Meatballs
Chicken wings
Egg rolls with sriracha ranch
Cornbread BBQ shrimp
Coconut shrimp
Lodge Made Bruschetta
Cheese & Charcuterie
1 hour bartender with beer & wine

Tuesday May 21, 2024 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Pre-Function Area

6:00pm EDT

Dinner on your own

GASFAA 2024 Dining Out pdf

Tuesday May 21, 2024 6:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
TBD

Meals

7:00pm EDT

K2 Music - (Karaoke & Kahoot)

Tuesday May 21, 2024 7:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
White Oak I-III

7:45am EDT

Breakfast

Bacon, egg, & cheese croissant
Ham, egg, & cheese croissant
Sausage, egg, & cheese biscuit
Sliced fruit
Assorted pastries
Bagels & cream cheese
Coffee
Chilled Juices

Wednesday May 22, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am EDT
White Oak I-III

Meals

8:00am EDT

Registration Open

Wednesday May 22, 2024 8:00am - 2:00pm EDT
Registration Desk

8:30am EDT

GSFC - State Programs Regulations and Procedures Update

Presenters

Pennie Strong

Executive Vice President, GSFC

State Program Regulations and Procedures, Dual Enrollment, & CHECS

Moderator

Karli Greenfield

Truett McConnell University

Fall 2018: Regulatory Track (NASFAA Core and Compliance)

Wednesday May 22, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
White Oak I-III

General Session

8:30am EDT

Silent Auction Open

Wednesday May 22, 2024 8:30am - 5:15pm EDT
White Oak I-III

8:30am EDT

Vendors Open

Wednesday May 22, 2024 8:30am - 5:15pm EDT
Pre-Function Area

10:00am EDT

FAFSA Simplification Review

Presenters

Brenda Vaughn

K-12 Outreach Representative, GSFC

Brenda Vaughn is a Double Dawg with a BS in Middle School Education and a Masters in Adult Education. Twenty-five years of extensive experience in the Financial Aid process, having worked in a financial aid office at UGA, with student loan guarantee agencies, NSLP and TG, as well... Read More →

Moderator

Douglas Tanner

Dir. Financial Aid, Valdosta State University

Wednesday May 22, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

10:00am EDT

GSFC - State Program Compliance Findings and a Discussion of Ideas for Preventing Common Findings

Presenters

David McMillion

Sr. Manager for Transcripts/ GASFAA President, Georgia Student Finance Commission

David McMillion began his financial aid journey in 2007, at his alma mater Piedmont University where he served as Director of Financial Aid from 2010 to 2020.From 2020 to 2022, David held the position of Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of North Georgia. Overseeing... Read More →

Amber Sumner

Senior Program Manager, Scholarship and Grant Funds Program Administration, Georgia Student Finance Commission

Moderator

Joey Hreha

Director of Working Adult Programs, Mercer University

Wednesday May 22, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

10:00am EDT

Leading Through Uncertainty

Presenters

Terral Harris

College of Coastal Georgia

Fall 2018: State Track

Pamela Barrett

Associate VP & Director of Financial Aid, Brenau University

Melodie Pirone

Financial Aid Director, Southern Crescent Technical College

Lisa Berrien

Moderator

Cicely Harpe

Wednesday May 22, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

10:00am EDT

Understanding DEI

Presenters

Shannon Jones

Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Inceptia

Moderator

Keisha Whittaker

Assistant Director of Financial Aid Processing, Georgia Gwinnett College

Wednesday May 22, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

11:00am EDT

Financial Aid and Artificial Intelligence

Presenters

Emma Stich

Director of Financial Planning Services, Mercer University

Moderator

Jennifer Benson

Asstant Director for Verification & Appeals, University of Georgia

GASFAA Conference Presentation pptx

Wednesday May 22, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

11:00am EDT

GSFC - State Program CHECS System Overview

Presenters

David McMillion

Sr. Manager for Transcripts/ GASFAA President, Georgia Student Finance Commission

Moderator

Angela Tate

Business Analyst, Technical College System of Georgia

Wednesday May 22, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

11:00am EDT

Pathway to Directorship

Presenters

Kristie Teasley

Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Georgia Highlands College

Moderator

Lisa Berrien

Wednesday May 22, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

11:00am EDT

Understanding your own Biases

Presenters

Tarik Boyd

Executive Director of Financial Aid, Chattahoochee Technical College

Experienced Director Of Financial Aid with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Coaching, Student Retention, Federal Regulations, Team Building, Public Speaking, and Leadership. Strong financial aid professional with a Master of Science (M.S... Read More →

Moderator

Kelly Savoie

Director, Sallie Mae

Kelly has 23 years of experience in higher education and holds a B.A. in Business/Financial Management from Clemson University. Kelly is primarily working with colleges, universities and high school in the Southeast.

Wednesday May 22, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

12:00pm EDT

GASFAA Awards Lunch

On The Border
Tortilla Chips & Lodge Made Salsa
Fiesta Salad - romaine, roasted corn, poblano peppers, black beans, tortilla strips & chipotle ranch dressing
Chopped Adobo Chicken Thighs
Chopped Ancho Marinated Steak
Cilantro Lime Rice
Sautéed Onions & Bell Peppers - chipotle tomato sauce

Toppings Selection:
pepper jack cheese, sour cream, guacamole & roasted corn salsa

Churros
Sopapillas - cinnamon sugar & honey

Wednesday May 22, 2024 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
White Oak I-III

Meals

1:30pm EDT

SASFAA Update

Presenters

Leigh Ann Hussey

President-Elect, University of West Georgia

Moderator

Sarah Baumhoff

Director of Student Support, Kennesaw State University

Wednesday May 22, 2024 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
White Oak I-III

General Session

2:10pm EDT

Intro to SQL - Banner based

Presenters

Dustin McDaniel

Software Applications Specialist, Technical College System of Georgia

Moderator

Terral Harris

College of Coastal Georgia

Fall 2018: State Track

Wednesday May 22, 2024 2:10pm - 2:25pm EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

2:10pm EDT

GSFC - New State Program Year End Reconciliation Module and Invoicing

Presenters

Amber Sumner

Senior Program Manager, Scholarship and Grant Funds Program Administration, Georgia Student Finance Commission

Moderator

Willetta Shelby

Wednesday May 22, 2024 2:10pm - 3:00pm EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

2:10pm EDT

Supporting Students in the Virtual World

Presenters

Shannon Jones

Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Inceptia

Moderator

Antoine McClain

Wednesday May 22, 2024 2:10pm - 3:00pm EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

2:10pm EDT

Workplace Flexibility and Managing Staff

Presenters

Kimberly Morris

President & Founder, Higher EdConsulting

Ms. Morris is a demonstrated leader in financial aid and enrollment management, driven by a deep passion and unwavering dedication to assisting colleges and universities in achieving their mission. Her main objectives revolve around delivering outstanding customer service and ensuring... Read More →

Moderator

Emma Stich

Director of Financial Planning Services, Mercer University

Wednesday May 22, 2024 2:10pm - 3:00pm EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

3:10pm EDT

NSLDS Enrollment Reporting

Presenters

Keisha Whittaker

Assistant Director of Financial Aid Processing, Georgia Gwinnett College

Moderator

Courtney Ray

Wednesday May 22, 2024 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

3:10pm EDT

SAP Panel

Presenters

Casey Worley

Director of Financial Aid Operations, Chattahoochee Technical College

Casey is the Director of Financial Aid Operations at Chattahoochee Technical College where she oversees all day-to-day operations of financial aid at the college. She has been in the financial aid department at Chatt Tech for over 10 years with her primary focus initially being state... Read More →

Karli Greenfield

Truett McConnell University

Fall 2018: Regulatory Track (NASFAA Core and Compliance)

Douglas Tanner

Dir. Financial Aid, Valdosta State University

Moderator

Pamela Barrett

Associate VP & Director of Financial Aid, Brenau University

Wednesday May 22, 2024 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

3:10pm EDT

Third Party Servicers Panel - USG, TCSG, Sponsors

Presenters

James Chiara

Client Services Manager, Technical College System of Georgia

Joe Buchholz

Manager, Customer Success, Ellucian

Joe serves as a Manager of Customer Success for the CampusLogic suite of products at Ellucian and oversees the Customer Success Managers serving the east coast. He began his time at Ellucian with the acquisition of CampusLogic in 2022 and spent 10 years working in Financial Aid within... Read More →

Stormy Milsap

Financial Aid Analyst, University System of Georgia - Shared Services Center

Stormy earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management from the University of North Georgia in 2014 and her Master in Management (MIM) in Professional Leadership at Converse University in 2023. Stormy started her career in Financial Aid in 2011 at the University... Read More →

Moderator

Samuel Ellison

Wednesday May 22, 2024 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

3:10pm EDT

Understanding Gen Z Students

Presenters

Mendi Morrow

Georgia Student Finance Commission

Fall 2018: Leadership Track

Moderator

Brandon Bray

Wednesday May 22, 2024 3:10pm - 4:00pm EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

3:45pm EDT

Afternoon Snacks

Assorted Dessert bars
Water Station

Wednesday May 22, 2024 3:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
Pre-Function Area

4:10pm EDT

24/25 Verification, C-Code Crosswalk & New Requirements

Presenters

James Chiara

Client Services Manager, Technical College System of Georgia

Moderator

Casey Worley

Director of Financial Aid Operations, Chattahoochee Technical College

Wednesday May 22, 2024 4:10pm - 5:00pm EDT
Fallen Timbers I & II

General Sessions

4:10pm EDT

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Presenters

Dr. Maria Hammett

Associate Vice President, Mercer University

Fall 2018: State Track

Moderator

Brenda Vaughn

K-12 Outreach Representative, GSFC

Wednesday May 22, 2024 4:10pm - 5:00pm EDT
White Oak VI

General Sessions

4:10pm EDT

So You Want to Take the FAAC®?

Presenters

Jocelyn Dixon

Director of Financial Aid, North Georgia Technical College

Emily Baldwin

Assistant Director of Federal Work-Study Program Management, University of Georgia

Moderator

Emmilee Mitchell

Director of Financial Planning Operations, Mercer University

So, You Want to Take the FAAC GASFAA PowerPoint pptx

Wednesday May 22, 2024 4:10pm - 5:00pm EDT
White Oak V

General Sessions

4:10pm EDT

The Changing Employment Landscape in Financial Aid

Presenters

Julie Finn

Moderator

Angela Wilson

Wednesday May 22, 2024 4:10pm - 5:00pm EDT
White Oak IV

General Sessions

5:00pm EDT

Dinner on your own

GASFAA 2024 Dining Out pdf

Wednesday May 22, 2024 5:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
TBD

Meals

5:15pm EDT

End of Silent Auction

Wednesday May 22, 2024 5:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
White Oak I-III

7:00pm EDT

Bingo Bonanza - No negative numbers here!

Assorted cookies
Chips & Salsa
Sweet & Unsweet tea
Lemonade

Wednesday May 22, 2024 7:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
White Oak I-III

7:45am EDT

Breakfast

Fresh Sliced Seasonal Fresh Fruit & Berries
Selection of Fresh Bagels with Toaster assorted cream cheese & butter
Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
Crispy Applewood Bacon
Chicken Sausage
Chicken & Waffles - buttermilk fried chicken & spiced clover honey
French Toast Sticks - butter & warm maple syrup

Thursday May 23, 2024 7:45am - 8:30am EDT
White Oak I-III

Meals

8:30am EDT

General Session - NASFAA Update, Top Ask Regs, & NASFAA Q&A

Presenters

Dana Kelly

Vice President, NASFAA

Dana Kelly currently serves as the vice president of professional development and institutional compliance for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). In this role she oversees all personnel, products and services assigned to the training and regulatory... Read More →

Brad Barnett

Associate Vice President for Access and Enrollment Management/Financial Aid Director, James Madison University

Meet Brad Barnett, senior associate director of financial aid & scholarships at James Madison University. Brad started his career in financial aid while working his way through graduate school in 1994-95 as a graduate assistant in Virginia Commonwealth University's Financial Aid Office... Read More →

Moderator

Joe Buchholz

Manager, Customer Success, Ellucian

Thursday May 23, 2024 8:30am - 10:30am EDT
White Oak I-III

General Session

10:30am EDT

Closing Session

Thursday May 23, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
White Oak I-III

General Session