Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA)

2026 Annual Conference | October 18 - 21 | Cedar Rapids, IA

Develop yourself personally and professionally through our outstanding conference programming.

Tentative Agenda | Current as of August 27, 2026

More than 70 educational sessions. Four preconference workshops. Programming for all levels of financial aid expertise. Hands-on Capstone Learning Labs. Explore everything MASFAA 2026 has to offer with our interactive tentative agenda!

Explore the Interactive Tentative Agenda

Looking for support to attend the 2026 MASFAA Annual Conference?

Download our editable justification letter template to help explain the benefits of conference participation to your supervisor. Customize the letter to reflect your responsibilities, professional development goals, and the value the conference brings to your institution.

Preconference

Start your professional development before the conference even starts. All preconference activities will take place on Sunday, October 18 between 1:00 - 3:15 p.m. Make your selection 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 – Needs Analysis Timing - 1:00 - 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 18
Community College Roundtable
Greatness in Action: Gathering Community College Aid Leaders for Impact (all levels of financial aid staff welcome!) Timing - 1:00 - 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 18 Facilitator(s): Triena Bodart, Manager of Financial Aid, Moraine Park Technical College (WI) Kemmorree Duncombe, FAAC, Director of Financial Aid, Kirtland Community College (MI) Kylee Klommhaus, Director of Financial Aid, Southwestern Community College (IA) Matt Moore, MSEd, FAAC, Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Operations & Student Services and Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Sinclair Community College (OH) Dena Norris, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Financial Services, Metropolitan Community College (MO) Description: True institutional impact starts when dedicated professionals gather to exchange ideas and elevate one another. This interactive preconference session offers community college financial aid administrators a tailored platform to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing our sector. Through facilitated roundtable discussions, attendees will connect with peers to exchange practical solutions on student retention, regulatory compliance, staffing efficiencies, and cross-departmental alignment. Come ready to engage in candid conversations, ask pressing questions, and leave with fresh perspectives and strong regional connections. Because when community college leaders gather, greatness happens for our students and campuses!
Graduate & Professional Roundtable Navigating Graduate & Professional Aid After OB3 Timing - 1:00 - 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 18 Facilitator(s): Anne Dahlen, Director of Financial Aid, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Sciences (MN) Christopher Johnson, MBA, Director of Graduate Financial Aid, University of Chicago (IL) Heidi Johnson, Associate Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law (WI) Jessica Seavers, Assistant Director of Student Financial Services & Financial Education, Saint Louis University (MO) Aaron Staats, Assistant Director, West Virginia University (WV) Description: The graduate and professional student funding landscape is changing rapidly following the implementation of OB3. Join colleagues from across the Midwest for an interactive roundtable discussion focused on new borrowing limits, the loss of Graduate PLUS Loans, student communication strategies, and approaches to addressing funding gaps. Participants will share challenges, lessons learned, and institutional responses while exploring practical solutions that support student access and success. Attendees will leave with ideas and resources they can adapt for their own campuses. Elevated Leadership Experience, Optional Add-On (via registration form) Timing - 1:00 - 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 18 EXPERIENCE PURPOSE The MASFAA Leadership Experience offers a meaningful professional development opportunity that extends beyond traditional conference programming. Building upon the success of previous highly engaging leadership discussions, this year’s experience brings together perspectives from national leaders, higher education executives, and accomplished financial aid professionals. The focus extends beyond leadership within the financial aid office. Participants will explore how financial aid professionals can strengthen institutional partnerships, communicate their value to senior leadership, influence decision making, and position their offices as essential contributors to enrollment, student success, and institutional effectiveness. Attendees will leave inspired, challenged, and equipped with practical strategies they can immediately apply on their campuses. EXPERIENCE OBJECTIVES Recognize financial aid's evolving role in institutional leadership. Learn strategies for demonstrating the value of financial aid to senior leadership. Explore approaches to building meaningful partnerships across campus. Gain insight from leaders representing a variety of institutional perspectives. Leave with actional ideas for elevating financial aid's impact within their organizations. FEATURED VOICES National Leadership: Explore the future of the profession and why financial aid leadership has never been more important. Institutional Leadership: Hear an executive perspective on collaboration, influence, and what distinguishes trusted campus partners. Financial Aid Executive Leadership: Join an interactive conversation with accomplished financial aid leaders representing diverse institutional types and leadership journeys. Together, these three perspectives connect national vision, institutional strategy, and day-to-day leadership practice. EXPERIENCE DESIGN Welcome \| 1:00 - 1:05 p.m. Emily Haynam, MBA, FAAC, Executive Director of Student Financial Aid, University of Missouri (MO) ACT I: The Future of Financial Aid Leadership \| 1:05 - 1:45 p.m. Melanie Storey, President & CEO, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) ACT II: Leading Beyond the Aid Office \| 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. Presenter Coming Soon ACT III: Executive Financial Aid Leadership Conversation \| 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. Keyimani Alford, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Student Access & Success, Madison Area Technical College (WI) Sarah Freestone, M.Ed., FAAC, Director of Financial Aid, Drake University (IA) Danielle Hayden, PhD., Senior Associate Dean and Director of Student Financial Aid, Carleton College (MN) Celena Tulloss, FAAC, Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management & Executive Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Auburn University (AL) Description: Financial aid professionals today influence far more than aid administration. They help shape enrollment strategy, support student success, inform institutional decision-making, and advance campus priorities. In this candid leadership conversation, experienced professionals share the stories, lessons learned, and leadership practices that helped them expand their influence and earn a trusted seat at the table. Rather than formal presentations, attendees will experience an authentic discussion about leadership journeys, successes, setbacks, relationship-building, and professional growth. Through practical examples, personal stories, and audience engagement, panelists will explore how financial aid professionals at every level can strengthen their leadership skills, contribute strategically to their institutions, and take intentional steps to lead from where they are today. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and leadership challenges to the conversation. They will leave with actionable ideas, fresh perspectives, and greater confidence in their ability to influence outcomes, build meaningful partnerships, and lead effectively regardless of title or years of experience. Learning Outcomes: Identify strategies for building leadership influence through relationships and trust. Recognize opportunities for financial aid professionals to contribute to institutional priorities and decision-making. Explore practical approaches for developing leadership skills and advancing professional growth. Apply leadership insights and actional strategies within their own institutions and professional roles.

Special Guests/Keynote

Barry A. Schreier, Ph.D. is a licensed Counseling Psychologist. He was a campus counseling center professional f or 30 years, finishing most recently as Director of the University of Iowa Counseling Center. Barry is now a Professor of Counseling Psychology in the University of Iowa College of Education. Prior to this, he was Director of the Counseling Center at the University of Connecticut, and he spent many years with Princeton and Purdue University’s Counseling Centers. Barry has made a career focused on student, staff, and faculty mental health and well-being. Barry has numerous publications on a variety of topics including sexual orientations and Trans/GNB identities; training and education in psychology; managing student distress; campus suicide prevention; campus outreach and programming; group therapy and brief therapy models; and was an editor for the book: The Handbook of Multicultural Counseling Competency. Dr. Schreier is the founder and senior consultant for Bridge Partners Consultation which provides professional consultation on issues and concerns related to the GLBTQ+ communities. Barry’s also has a private therapy practice in Iowa City. And in all of that, Barry also opened and ran a candy store for several years. Barry is married to his husband Tom with whom he has celebrated 35 years together! He is also the proud owner of a highly over indulged and spoiled cat named Smudge. And when not at work, Barry is inevitably at the theatre! Barry’s pronouns are he/him/his.

Additional special guests will be shared once available.

Entertainment/Evening Activities

Dress Up Days

Sunday, October 18 – Football Jersey Day
Monday, October 19 – 90's Apparel Day
Tuesday, October 20 – School Pride Day

Evening Entertainment

Sunday, October 18

Sunday Night Football Game playing on the big screen, Game TBD
Table Activities will include board games and crafts

Monday, October 19

Bingo Night + Quick Play Showdown Games
Photobooth

Tuesday, October 20

Dinner On Your Own/State Dinner Night

Cookbook Fundraiser

Some of the best parts of MASFAA happen when we gather, reconnect, and share time together. Often, that happens around food.

This year, we’re putting together A Taste of MASFAA, a cookbook fundraiser filled with recipes, traditions, and favorite dishes from across the region, and we’d love to include yours.

Whether it’s a family recipe, a tailgate staple, a crockpot favorite, or the dish your office always asks you to bring, we hope you’ll share it with us!

Submit a Recipe by August 14!

A few quick notes:

Recipe submissions are open to all MASFAA members
You do not need to attend the conference to submit a recipe
You do not need to attend the conference to purchase a cookbook (more info on this coming soon!)
All cookbook sale proceeds will support this year’s conference charity

Submit your recipe by August 14, 2026 and help us make this a meaningful part of MASFAA 2026.

Charity

Foundation 2 Crisis Services

Our mission is to be a trusted support when life gets tough. All people. Any time. Every time.
Last year, we had over 93,000 crisis contacts via phone, chat, text, and in-person services.
Our services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Our services include crisis phone, chat, and text, in-person counseling, intensive outpatient case management, supporting youth and young adults who’ve aged out of the Iowa Foster Care system with case management and vocational support, violence prevention programming, and an emergency youth shelter
Bridging the GAP, a program originally created by Junior League of Cedar Rapids, provides some of the most meaningful support to our young adult population. This program includes providing a suitcase with everything a young person needs when they enter their first apartment, a scholarship program to support them with unexpected expenses (busted tire, unexpected bill), and a small housing project that teaches our young people to save a portion of their rent into an emergency fund. The housing project is tapered to cover more of their rent early on in the program and less in the end of their time. This is a small program with 4-5 young people funded annually.

ILLINOIS INDIANA IOWA MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MISSOURI OHIO WEST VIRGINIA WISCONSIN

MASFAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

MASFAA, 1985 W. Henderson Rd PMB 69192, Columbus, OH, 43220