| Members
in the Spotlight
The success of Tristate depends on its members. Many dedicated and
hardworking volunteers devote their time and energy to the Association.
Please take a moment to get to know these individuals, as we invite
several to be in the spotlight each issue.
Featured this issue are Kimberly Strickler, University of Maryland-College
Park, and Laura Gagnon, Mount St. Mary's University.
Kimberly Strickler
Assistant Director, University of Maryland
College Park
Background (where you live, where you are from, history, education,
etc.)
Originally from York, PA, I moved from Boston in 2003 after studying
at Mount Ida College. Starting out as a work-study student in the
admissions
office, I made my way to the financial aid office. Gaining 6 years
of experience in the field, I arrived in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins
University’s
financial aid office. In March 2005, I accepted a position at the University
of Maryland College Park. I currently live in Baltimore.
How did you get involved in financial aid?
I was offered a tuition remission program working in the admissions
office at Mount Ida College. In the process, I was able to really get
to know the administration; then, the Director of Financial Aid offered
me a permanent position in the aid office as a counselor. I was more
or less thrown into the field—packaging students on what seemed,
at the time, to be a well-oiled packaging program. As you can see, in
this career, I have broadened my experience by working at several types
of schools and learning their different processes.
What are your current roles/duties?
Currently, as the Assistant Director of Operations, I am responsible
for making sure the system works correctly. In detail, I supervise the
verification team, make sure students are packaged and their funds are
posted to their financial aid.
What is your favorite aspect of financial aid?
Even though I do not deal directly with the students, it gives me a
great sense of accomplishment and success that I can solve issues with
students' files and know that they are receiving the financial aid they
need to attend college.
What are your interests and hobbies?
After spending 8 years away from my family, my interests lie in spending
time with my family. Time at a family gathering or a trip to the beach
to go windsurfing is always welcomed. Visiting my brother in New Mexico
gives me the opportunity to go hiking.
What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
In ten years, I see myself still enjoying the financial aid field in
a school setting. I feel this career works well with my goals and happiness
for my life.
Laura Gagnon
Associate Director of Financial Aid, Mount
St. Mary's University
Background
I was born in Glen Burnie, MD, but moved to Westminster, MD a month
after I was born. I grew up there and attended college at Western Maryland
College, now McDaniel College. I also have my MBA from Mount Saint Mary's
College, now Mount Saint Mary's University. I currently live in Westminster
and am the Associate Director of Financial Aid at Mount Saint Mary's.
How did you get involved in financial aid?
I got involved in financial aid by being a work-study student in the
summers and in the years during college. I was a Math/Secondary Ed major
and thought I wanted to teach, but decided financial aid was what I
wanted to get into right after college, and I’ve been in financial
aid ever since.
What are your current roles/duties?
Being a part of a small office, I have many roles that cover a lot of
the aspects of financial aid. Primarily, I counsel students and parents.
I also am involved with packaging, handling the state reports, aiding
in processing and the disbursement of loans, providing presentations
for Admissions visits, and helping in any ways I can.
What is your favorite aspect of financial aid?
My favorite aspect of financial aid is the ability to help families
and students. It’s a nice feeling when a family comes in and they
are completely lost and confused and they leave your office at ease
and more informed.
What are your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy the outdoors and being active, so I like going hiking and running.
I have also been dancing ballet for 21 years. I also enjoy knitting
and crocheting. I like watching movies and reading too.
What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
I am not very sure where I will be in 10 years. These days, I’m
taking everything one day at a time, but I hope that in ten years from
now, I would have traveled more, have started a family, and be able
to do something I love personally and professionally.
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