Agenda

Develop yourself personally and professionally through our outstanding conference programming.

Tentative Agenda

Tentative Agenda as of August 27

Use the below justification of attendance letter template to make a strong case to your supervisor for attending the conference.

Justifying Conference Attendance Letter Template

Be a Moderator

We’re looking for a few more moderators to help sessions run smoothly. Whether it’s your first MASFAA or you’re a seasoned veteran, this is a great way to contribute without a major time commitment. Our sponsors and exhibitors will cover many slots, but we still need your help.

Moderators will be contacted if selected. Sign up by September 5.

BACK TO TOP

Preconference

Start your professional development before the conference even starts. All preconference activities will take place on Sunday, October 12. Make your selection for one of the free NASFAA Credentials or Director's Roundtable when you register. 

NASFAA Credentials Take your career to the next level with NASFAA Professional Credentials. This exciting program provides a nationally-recognized standard in financial aid training and allows you to earn recognition for your mastery of content. A professional credential benefits you by: Expanding your student financial aid knowledge Improving your job performance and service to students Providing tangible evidence of your knowledge for employers Differentiating between you and less qualified personnel Giving you and your organization a competitive edge Credential #1 – Satisfactory Academic Progress Presenter: Paul Friebus, FAAC, Director of Financial Aid Training and Compliance, Ivy Tech Community College Credential #2 – Professional Judgement Presenter: Tony Lubbers, FAAC, Director of Financial Aid, University of Central Missouri
Director's Roundtable
The Future is Now: Strategic Leadership in a Disrupted Financial Aid Landscape Engage senior directors in candid dialogue on high-impact issues Explore strategies for leading through volatility and policy shifts Facilitate actionable collaboration across Midwest institutions Foster peer mentorship and shared leadership frameworks Facilitator(s): Dr. Keyimani Alford, Associate Vice President of Student Access & Success, Madison Area Technical College Amanda Fijal, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Financial Aid, University of Chicago; MASFAA Past President Emily Haynam, MBA, FAAC, Executive Director of Student Financial Aid, University of Missouri; MASFAA President-Elect Dr. Betsy Johnson, Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Bowling Green State University; MASFAA President
Sign up for the Director’s Roundtable by October 8.

BACK TO TOP

Special Guests/Keynote

Melanie Storey, President & CEO, NASFAA

Melanie Storey is the president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), beginning her tenure on May 1, 2025. With decades of experience in federal higher education policy, financial aid operations, and organizational leadership, Storey brings deep expertise and a steadfast commitment to advancing access and equity in higher education.

Storey most recently served as director of policy implementation and oversight at the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), where she led cross-functional teams in translating federal policy into practice. She played a central role in implementing the FAFSA Simplification Act and the FUTURE Act, and contributed to major initiatives like federal student loan debt relief. She frequently represented FSA before congressional staff, administration officials, and higher education leaders.

Before joining the Department, Storey led policy and strategy work at the College Board and served as director of national initiatives at the American Council on Education (ACE), where she supported national commissions, analyzed legislative proposals, and led public service campaigns. Earlier in her career, she was a policy analyst at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), conducting research and collaborating with government relations staff on federal policy proposals impacting private institutions.

A proud first-generation college graduate and financial aid recipient, Storey earned a master's degree in public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas at Austin and holds bachelor's degrees in economics and public policy from Smith College.

Heidi Carl, National Chair, Purdue University

Heidi Carl is the assistant vice provost and executive director of the division of financial aid at Purdue University. She has 28 years of financial aid, admissions, and enrollment management experience and has previously worked at Wabash College and the University of Indianapolis. Heidi earned her bachelor's degree in communications and her master's degree in higher education administration from Western Michigan University. She has served in several elected and volunteer roles at the state, regional, and national levels and is a past president of the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) and ISFAA (Indiana). She has served on NASFAA's Board of Directors as MASFAA regional representative and as chair of the Career Path Awareness for Financial Aid Administrators Thought Force. Heidi is committed to the people in our profession and helping to make critical changes to elevate the recognition and training for the unique skill set that is necessary for financial aid professionals of the future.

Hamish Brewer, the Tattooed Skateboarding Principal Hamish Brewer is a powerful and positive disruptor who transcends the status quo and typical norms in leadership and education.  Mr. Brewer has become globally recognized while inspiring, advocating and amplifying the voices of communities everywhere.  He built his reputation on results and performance, becoming affectionately known as the Relentless, Tattooed Skateboarding Principal with his galvanizing message to "Be Relentless" and his high-octane delivery style. Mr. Brewer currently consults with businesses and organizations all around the world on leadership, culture and organizational performance change and improvement. As a Beachheads advisor to the New Zealand Trade Enterprise, he also helps grow New Zealand businesses and advises on strategic development in the North American marketplace. Mr. Brewer has served as an award-winning principal at both the secondary and elementary school levels. He was recognized as a United States NAESP Nationally Distinguished Principal and Virginia Principal of the Year. He has also been honored with the VAESP School Bell Award and ASCD Virginia Impact Award. Hamish was named a Northern Virginian of the year by Northern Virginia Magazine and Principal of the Year for the online national publication – Education Dive. Prince William County Public Schools named Hamish the school division's Principal of the Year and Hamish was recently recognized by Omega U as the Principal of the Year. Under his leadership – his elementary school was recognized as a Nationally Distinguished Title 1 School, and Hamish has since gone on to turn around one of the toughest middle schools in the state of Virginia.   Mr. Brewer is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker – motivating and inspiring audiences everywhere around the world, including being recognized as a TED speaker.  Originally from New Zealand, Hamish earned his first degree from the University of Auckland. Mr. Brewer is currently a doctoral student at Virginia Tech University.  Hamish is the best-selling author of “Relentless – Disrupting The Educational Norm, published in 2019. Mr. Brewer previously served at the state level as the Federal Relations Coordinator on the Board of Directors with the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals and was a lead fellow of NAESP’s Center for Innovative Leadership. He is a school turnaround and school improvement specialist, working with some of the most at-risk students in the United States. Mr. Brewer was highlighted as a Hometown Hero by Fox 5 in Washington, DC. With more than 32 million views, his story has become a viral sensation through the Freethink Docuseries “Relentless”, and being highlighted on all the national news broadcasts here in the US and around the world, including with NBC and Lester Holt. Mr. Brewer is also featured in the skateboarding humanitarian movie documentary "Humanity Stoked."

BACK TO TOP

Entertainment/Evening Activities