President's Message

Hello FASFAA Family,

On behalf of the 2020-2021 Executive Board, I welcome you to another wonderful year of partnership, growth and service in the Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. I am honored to serve as the president this year and I look forward to working with and connecting with you at various events and training opportunities throughout the year. At times our purpose drops in our laps. As we continue to operate in a world defined by COVID-19, we will go forward with renewed determination to ensure our members and students are prepared financially in the educational arena.

FASFAA’s mission is to develop and maintain professional standards of financial aid administration, to promote cooperation and communication among its members, and to promote and endorse student financial aid programs that are consistent with good professional practice.

I have tasked the board with three main goals for this year.

Goal 1: Continuing to grow the association’s membership. Last year, under the leadership of Past-President Daniel Barkowitz, FASFAA experienced near record growth! Florida is filled with passionate FAA’s and membership brings a number of benefits. Networking, continued education, training opportunities and our innate need to help others to name a few. It also provides the space to help advocate for student financial aid at the state and national levels.

Goal 2: Expand training opportunities for high school guidance and career counselors. These hard working and caring members of our extended family see our students before we do. It is our responsibility to help prepare them by providing a strong knowledge base of financial aid they can use to advise students as they prepare to come our way.  

Goal 3: Increasing volunteerism opportunities. I personally invite each of you to volunteer on one of our committees. Volunteering will enhance your membership by not only helping you to connect with your colleagues across the state, but by allowing you to develop skills you might not otherwise build in your current professional position. Lifelong friendships are a common side effect of working with others as a volunteer on a committee. FASFAA is only as strong as its members who share their talents, time and dedication. I encourage each of you to consider serving in any capacity you can. Whether joining a committee, presenting a conference session, or just encouraging others within your professional network to join, it all helps. Complete a volunteer form to let us know what you’re interested in and we will make sure you are ready to join the team!

In addition, we will work to ensure the voice of FASFAA is heard within the financial aid community; to put stories, names and numbers (data) forward to provide the full picture of the important issues concerning financial aid in higher education. Completion of this goal will require a strong advocate to represent FASFAA in legislative matters at the state and national levels.

We would love to "see" as many of you possible at our annual conference, which will be held virtually, June 1-4, 2021 The conference theme is “Sharing the Vision, Shaping the Future.” Check out Conference Home page on our website.

The working theme for this year is “See the possibilities, expand your horizons”. It is my hope that you will join us for an exciting year and help keep FASFAA a leader among the state associations! Thank you for your tireless and sometimes thankless work you do for students and the support you give each other. We understand each other! I’m happy to serve with you and for you.

Sincerely,

Dameion Lovett

FASFAA President 2020-2021

Please visit the website and various social media sites to remain current on all association activities, training opportunities and schedules, committee reports, as well as other updates throughout the year.

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