Welcome to the MASFAA Newsletter’s 20 Questions.

We're quizzing members of the MASFAA community about work, play and other fun stuff.

See if you can guess who our mystery person is – answer in the Spring Edition of the MASFAA Newsletter.

How long have you been in Financial Aid?
Twenty-nine years

Have you served or do you presently serve on any MASFAA Committees?
In the distant past, I served on the Government Relations and Conference committees.

Pepsi or Coke?
Diet Coke

What do you like most about your job?
The relaxing, stress-free atmosphere and the slow pace of the work.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Some days, it gets hard to listen to so many sad stories.

If you could change anything in our industry what would it be?
More need based grant money!

What is the most unusual place you have traveled?
Paris, via Iceland

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Getting to help so many amazing and wonderful students.

What was your favorite MASFAA session and why?
Wine tasting. I didn’t actually go to it, but it seemed like such a good idea.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
My former boss, the director of our aid office.

If you were not in financial aid what would you be doing?
Retired!

What case/student will you most likely remember for the rest of your life?
There are way too many stories to count.

Where do you call home?
Melrose

What type of entertainment do you enjoy?
Books, movies, walks on the beach. Oh wait, that was for a different personal questionnaire…

What are your hobbies?
Triathlons, paying for my kids college tuitions.

How do you cope with stress on the job?
Stress? What stress?

Who is your personal hero?
The president of my university, who has made need based financial aid his highest priority.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Any place where someone else is doing the cooking is good for me. If I can find someone else to pay –it’s even better.

What is the last book you read?
This Republic of Suffering by Drew Faust Gilpin. Some of us never recover from being college history majors.

Any advice for your fellow financial aid professionals?
We have the best job in the world: we change lives. Remember the big picture and don’t get bogged down by the small stuff.