Candidate Information for Membership

2021 SWASFAA Nominations and Elections Candidate Information The SWASFAA Nominations and Elections committee met October 11, 2021, and presented a recommended slate of candidate nominations to the SWASFAA Board of Directors for review and approval For the upcoming elections, the following members represent SWASFAA’s official slate of candidates: SWASWFAA Nominations & Elections - Slate of Candidates to serve in 2022 Category SWASFAA President-Elect SWASFAA President-Elect Candidate Name Ben Montecillo Audra Main State/Institution TX/Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center OK/Moore Norman Technology Center SWASFAA Arkansas Delegate SWASFAA Arkansas Delegate Tennille Johnson Marla Bush AR/National Park college AR/University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana SWASFAA Louisiana Delegate SWASFAA Louisiana Delegate Taina Savoit Write in Ballot LA/McNeese State University LA/ SWASFAA New Mexico Delegate Kelsey Higgins SWASFAA New Mexico Delegate Write In Ballot NM/University of New Mexico LA/ Each candidate represented above has provided a statement of candidacy, SWASFAA Standardized Resume and photograph for the SWASFAA membership to review prior to elections These are available on the following pages of this document in the order listed in the chart above The ballot is tentatively scheduled to open November 29, 2021 for voting members and will remain open for 10 business days Eligible voting members will be notified in advance of election procedures Thank you for all you for SWASFAA Lauren Jackson Nominations & Elections Chair SWASFAA Past President 2018 Ben Montecillo Candidate for SWASFAA President-Elect Statement of Candidacy I have always wanted to make an impact into young people’s lives and through financial aid, I have found the way that I can make the most impact in their success I believe wholeheartedly in the financial aid profession We have a direct impact into making the possibility of a higher education for many students a reality all while we wear different hats every day It is an evolving challenge each year to meet the goals of administration, our students and their families We find inspiration and fulfillment in the little victories we’re able to make every day As financial aid professionals, we know we don’t this alone Our staffs, campus partners, state peers and regional colleagues all help to contribute to our profession’s successes While our schools may compete academically or athletically, we in the financial aid world work together I admire that kind of selfless teamwork We work for the betterment of all knowing that a rising tide lifts all boats In SWASFAA, I have found colleagues and friends from different schools of different types all from across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas We all share the same purpose yet our challenges can be vastly different Yet, I am inspired by how we come together across state lines in order to help one another grow and work towards the betterment of the financial aid teams on our own campuses I feel that my prior experiences have prepared me to help lead SWASFAA and continue SWASFAA’s legacy of leadership and development for its members We have had great leadership and I hope to continue their proud tradition of making a difference for the betterment of our profession If elected for this position, I hope to continue the important and essential work of enhancing our professional development As we have learned over the past two years, the ability to adapt while moving forward is crucial to the success of our students I want to help SWASFAA continue to be a resource for our members in each of our states as well as lead national discussions that help not only financial aid administrators, but ultimately the students we serve SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: President-Elect Name: Ben Montecillo Current Title/Position: Associate Managing Director Institution of Employment: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institutional Address: 3601 4th Street, Stop 8310 Lubbock, TX 79430 Email Address: ben.montecillo@ttuhsc.edu Previous/Current State Leadership Positions and Service: • • • TASFAA Web Services & Communications Committee Chair (2021-2022) TASFAA Web Services & Communications Committee Member (2020-2021) Presenter at TASFAA Fall Conference o 2010, 2015, 2016 Previous/Current Regional Leadership Positions and Service: • • • • SWASFAA Texas Delegate 2020-2022 SWASFAA Fall 2020 Annual Conference Committee Chair SWASFAA Fall 2019 Annual Conference Committee member Presenter at SWASFAA Fall Conference o 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 Previous/Current National Leadership Positions and Service: • Presenter at NCAA Regional Rules Conference o 2011, 2012 Educational Background: • • Masters of Public Administration, Texas Tech University 2017 Bachelor’s of Arts, Political Science, Texas Tech University 2008 Audra Main Candidate for SWASFAA President-Elect Statement of Candidacy: I have always loved working with SWASFAA, in my previous position I was limited to what I was allowed to participate in at the regional level I am now in a position that supports and will allow me to participate at whatever level will help our students, school, and myself I love working with my financial aid friends and the networking SWASFAA allows to better serve our students and schools SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: President-Elect Name: Audra Main Current Title/Position: Financial Aid Coordinator Institution of Employment: Moore Norman Technology Center Institutional Address: 4701 12th Avenue NW Norman, OK 73069 Email Address: audra-main@mntc.edu Previous/Current State Leadership Positions and Service: • I have been involved in OASFAA since 2005, with the following positions held: • Currently, Conference Chair (this will be my 3rd year in a row, due to the pandemic) • Previously, President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Secretary, Local Arrangements Chair, Program Chair, Entertainment Chair, Site Selection Chair and Training Chair Previous/Current Regional Leadership Positions and Service: • • Currently, I am on the Boot Camp committee I have previously served as Conference Chair I have also service on the membership committee, and awards committee Previous/Current National Leadership Positions and Service: • Unfortunately, I have not held any NASFAA leadership positions, but would love to start working with NASFAA in the future Educational Background: • I have my Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Administrative Leadership Tennille Johnson Candidate for SWASFAA Arkansas Delegate Statement of Candidacy: I look forward to the opportunity to become more involved with the national, regional, and state organizations I’ve enjoyed the previous opportunities given to me on both the state and regional level Being a member of the Financial Aid community has allowed me to build a strong foundation of both social and technical skill sets which will serve me well in this position When the opportunity to become a Delegate-at-Large was presented to me I felt this would be a chance to expand my sphere of influence I am confident that my years of experience and knowledge will allow me to serve the state and the region as an advocate for schools, students, and the financial aid community as a whole I have worked in financial aid for over ten years and have formed numerous professional relationships along the way Those that know me well will testify that my passion for helping others is the core of who I am, and I welcome the opportunity to help the financial aid community continue to grow and thrive Thank you for considering me for this position to serve SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: SWASFAA Delegate - Arkansas Name: Tennille Johnson Current Title/Position: Director of Administrative Support Services Institution of Employment: National Park College Institutional Address: 101 College Drive Hot Springs, AR_71913 Email Address: tjohnson@np.edu Previous/Current State Leadership Positions and Service: • AASFAA Spring Conference Committee • AASFAA Mentor Committee Chair Previous/Current Regional Leadership Positions and Service: • SWASFAA Mentor • SWASFAA Planning Committee • SWASFAA Leadership Development Committee Previous/Current National Leadership Positions and Service: Educational Background: • MBA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY, 12 hours from completion • BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN ACCOUNTING, HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY • ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE Marla Bush Candidate for SWASFAA Arkansas Delegate Statement of Candidacy: The reason I am volunteering to serve as Delegate-at-Large for SWASFAA, is because I have a passion for Financial Aid Helping students achieve their goals in receiving their degrees at minimum cost Also, I enjoy researching and helping fellow administrators decipher the meanings of federal regulations and find ways to better explain these regulations to our students Financial Aid can be very confusing, the easier we can make it for our administrators and students the more successful we all can be I am fairly new to the management role, however I am not new financial aid SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: SWASFAA Delegate - Arkansas Name: Marla Bush Current Title/Position: Director of Financial Aid Institution of Employment: University of Arkansas at HopeTexarkana Institutional Address: 2500 South Main Street Hope, AR 71851 Email Address: marla.bush@uaht.edu Previous/Current State Leadership Positions and Service: • No previous or current State Leadership positions and service Previous/Current Regional Leadership Positions and Service: • No previous or current Regional Leadership positions and service Previous/Current National Leadership Positions and Service: • No previous or current National Leadership positions and service Educational Background: • Bachelor of Applied Science, Business Studies from East Texas Baptist University • Currently enrolled for Master of Education in Community College Leadership at University of Arkansas Taina Savoit Candidate for SWASFAA Louisiana Delegate Statement of Candidacy: SWASFAA has had a very significant role in my professional development and it would be an honor to give back to our great association I have learned so much from many of my colleagues through the years that have provided me guidance with my daily job, provided valuable resources while working through some of the same challenges and issues, given me the opportunity to network with others in our profession and most of all, many lifelong friendships Each time I have the opportunity to participate in our Financial Aid associations; it becomes an exciting challenge that teaches me so much I would deem it an honor to be considered for this position to represent Louisiana while serving on the SWASFAA board and I look forward to the opportunity! SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: SWASFAA Delegate - Louisiana Name: Taina Savoit Current Title/Position: Director of Financial Aid Institution of Employment: McNeese State University Institutional Address: MSU Box 93260 Lake Charles, LA 70609-3260 Email Address: tsavoit@mcneese.edu Previous/Current State Leadership Positions and Service: LASFAA: Member, 1988 to present; Long Range Planning Committee Chair, 2013-21; Long Range Planning Committee Chair, Finance Committee Member, Training Committee Member, 2011-12; Training Committee Member, Audit Review Team, 2010; Membership & Mentoring Chair, Finance Committee Member, Training Committee Member, 2009; Training Committee Chair, 2005-2006; Long Range Planning Committee Member, 2004-09; Delegate-at-LargeUniversity of Louisiana System, 2003-04 & 2004-05; Fall Program Co-Chair, 2002-03; Past President, 2001- 02; President, 2000-01; ASFAC/OSFA Advisory Committee Member, 2000-01; Nominations & Awards/Archives Chairman, 1999-2000; Boot Camp Trainer, 1999-2010; Budget Committee Chairman, 1995-97; Budget Committee Member, 1994-95; Conference Presenter and/ or Moderator, 1992 to present Previous/Current Regional Leadership Positions and Service: SWASFAA: Member, 1988 to present; Awards Committee Member, 2021; Long Range Committee Chair, 2018-2019; Awards & Electronic Initiative Committee Member, 2019; Nominations & Elections Committee Member, 2018, Membership Committee Chair, 2013-16; Training Committee Chair, 2011; Past President, Awards Committee Chair, Nominations & Elections Committee Chair, Finance Committee Member, 2010; President & Finance Committee Member, 2009; President Elect and Finance Committee Chair, 2008; Continuing Education Committee Chair, 2005 & 2006; Long Range Planning Committee Member, 2004 & 2006-07; Secretary, 2002 & 2003; Board Member-State Representative, 2001; Boot Camp Trainer, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2010 & 2012; Conference Presenter and/or Moderator, 2000 to present Previous/Current National Leadership Positions and Service: NASFAA: Institutional Representative, 1990 to present; Certified Financial aid Administrator (CFAA) Commission Member, 2019-2021; Conference Program Task Force Chair, 2015-16; Conference Program Task Force Co-Chair, 2014-15; Training and Professional Development Committee Chair, 2012-13; Training and Professional Development Committee Member, 2011-12; Association Governance & Membership Committee Member, 2010-2011; Board of Directors and Finance Committee Member, 2008-10; Conducted Interviews to Hire CEO, 2010; Awards Committee Member and Board of Director Observer, 2007-08; Nominations & Elections Committee Member, 2005-07; Training and Best Practices Committee Member, 2004-05; Research Committee Member, 2001-03; Leadership Conference Participant, 2001; Conference Moderator, 2002 to present; Conference Presenter, 2012 Educational Background: Master of Education, College of Education, McNeese State University, May 1997 Bachelor of Science, College of Business-AACSB, McNeese State University, December, 1988 Kelsey Higgins Candidate for SWASAA New Mexico Delegate Statement of Candidacy: I volunteered to continue my financial aid knowledge at the regional level Working with SWAFSAA will allow me to contribute my financial aid background and network with like minded individuals SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: SWASFAA Delegate - New Mexico Name: Kelsey Higgins Current Title/Position: Financial Aid Coordinator Moore Institution of Employment: University of New Mexico Institutional Address: University ABQ, NM 87131 Email Address: higginsk@salud.unm.edu Previous/Current State Leadership Positions and Service: • • • • NMASFAA- Parliamentarian NMASFAA -Secretary NMASFAA Treasurer- Elect NMASFAA Treasurer Previous/Current Regional Leadership Positions and Service: • No previous or current Regional Leadership positions and service Previous/Current National Leadership Positions and Service: • No previous or current Regional Leadership positions and service Educational Background: • University of New Mexico, Bachelor of ArtsCommunication Summer 2013, Minor- Psychology • University of New Mexico, Executive Master’s in Business Administration Summer 2022 ... COLLEGE Marla Bush Candidate for SWASFAA Arkansas Delegate Statement of Candidacy: The reason I am volunteering to serve as Delegate-at-Large for SWASFAA, is because I have a passion for Financial... honor to be considered for this position to represent Louisiana while serving on the SWASFAA board and I look forward to the opportunity! SWASFAA Résumé Form Position for Which Nominated: SWASFAA... state and the region as an advocate for schools, students, and the financial aid community as a whole I have worked in financial aid for over ten years and have formed numerous professional relationships