There are several current and former Professional Development and Training (PD&T) members from 2000–2003 Neophyte Workshops – Aristea Williams, Taisha Winters, Tanya McMillian and Zhanna Goltser, to name a few – who are ready to take the next step into Tristate leadership. These PD&T members are just a sampling of the people who receive support in the fulfillment of their goals and leadership aspirations. Directors and campus administrators who support good staff and staff with potential offer the window to opportunity.

The PD&T members listed above are generally new financial aid professionals demonstrating consistently high standards of volunteerism and leadership potential in Tristate. Some may have already achieved leadership positions in their profession, but may not be readily recognized names and/or faces in Tristate. That needs to change!

Except for many vendors and other Tristate volunteers, many of you may not be aware that these are some of the very people who could be instrumental in enhancing the quality of our leadership in the near future. Besides assisting with or leading plans and presenting topics for various training events, they are active in current civic and community activities that relate to Tristate interest – like, the Student Voter Registration Drive. They are also striving for improvements and change in the association through their efforts with the PD&T Leadership Subcommittee.

Surely you know some unsung leaders or “up & coming” leaders who you would recommend as mentors to members wanting to become leaders, support in Tristate leadership positions, and/or vote for in Tristate elected offices. We are hoping you can help us identify current and future “true” leaders. Let’s welcome them – they are on board now; we just have to bring them to the surface.

Help us by completing a survey that will be available during the Tristate Fall Conference in November, and later online. Please use the time between now and the conference to think about how you can contribute to building a strong leadership base in Tristate. We can only get better as an association when the members play a major role in the process.

The future leadership of Tristate is at stake! It is important to the association that emerging leaders live up to their potential. Be next! Be the one who either opens the window of leadership opportunity or be the one who goes through the window to participate in Tristate leadership!!

Special Feature: Students Voting

Special Feature: Setting Goals Important In Student-Retention