November State & Regional Association Updates
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
In this monthly round-up in Today's News, we would like to highlight what’s going on in your state and regional associations.
This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut, Arkansas, the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA), and the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA).
Miranda Morgan, president of MASFAA (Massachusetts), shares that registration for MASFAA's annual conference from November 19-21 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, is still open. The conference will have several keynote speakers, including former NASFAA President Justin Draeger, who is now the senior vice president of affordability at Strada Education Foundation. During the pre-conference on the 19th, MASFAA will be offering the NASFAA Cost of Attendance credential, which is included in the price of the regular conference registration.
“Join us for an agenda filled with engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and practical takeaways designed to support your professional growth and strengthen our community of financial aid professionals,” Miranda writes.
Nick Rendon, a member of CAPFAA (Connecticut), shares that this year's CAPFAA Classic Golf Tournament raised over $11,000 for CAPFAA's Scholarship Fund.
“Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and sponsored the event,” Nick writes. “Your generosity and support help CAPFAA continue to support the educational endeavors of students with financial need.”
Tracy Rapp, president of NCASFAA (North Carolina), shares that the association will host a fall Director's Summit from November 20-21. The association is also offering monthly webinars to members focusing on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, private lending transparency, and using AI in your financial aid office.
Nadine Bailey, conference chair of FASFAA (Florida), shares that registration for the FASFAA Director’s Summit is now open. The director’s summit is from December 9-10 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for collaboration, learning, and strategic discussion among financial aid directors and enrollment management leaders,” Nadine writes. “FASFAA is looking forward to your attendance and participation on this first leg of our voyage as we advance our collective work in financial aid and student success.”
Additionally, FASFAA is hosting its 2026 annual conference from May 26-29, Nadine shares.
Robin Walker, president of PASFAA (Pennsylvania), shares that the association held its annual conference from October 26-28 at the Penn Stater in State College, Pennsylvania.
Additionally, PASFAA has completed a three-year strategic plan and has updated its policy and procedures manual. The association is also continuing to work on strengthening its relationships with business partners and ensuring the association’s long-term sustainability, along with its advocacy work, which provides professional development resources for members and promotes access to higher education funding for Pennsylvania students and families.
“Under my presidency, we will be focusing on professional development opportunities that will be for all levels, from new financial aid members to the more experienced financial aid members,” Robin writes.
Kelley Florian, the public relations committee chair of VASFAA (Virginia), shares that the association's members have been strengthening connections across the Commonwealth by organizing informal, region-based gatherings to bring financial aid professionals together outside of the traditional conference and training settings. In October, Marc Vernon and Mayra Vazquez from Virginia Peninsula Community College led one initiative in the Tidewater region by hosting a VASFAA Tidewater Area Dinner.
“The event provided an opportunity for colleagues to share experiences, ideas, and stories both professional and personal in a relaxed setting,” Kelley writes. Conversations ranged from financial aid best practices and student outreach strategies to lighter, more personal topics, she adds.
Additionally, in October, financial aid professionals from across Virginia gathered at the Liberty Mountain Conference Center in Lynchburg, Virginia, for VASFAA’s Fall In-Person Workshop. The one-day event featured sessions on federal updates, compliance trends, and supporting financial aid professionals’ personal financial wellness. A highlight was a panel discussion on integrating artificial intelligence into the financial aid office, Kelley shares.
“Beyond the sessions, participants enjoyed networking and reconnecting with colleagues – reaffirming VASFAA’s mission to educate, support, and unite financial aid professionals across the Commonwealth,” Kelley writes. “VASFAA extends sincere appreciation to the Training and Professional Development Committee for organizing such a successful and engaging event.”
Kimberly Stubbs, president of AASFAA (Arkansas), shares that the association held its Fall Conference in October with the theme "Wicked." The conference gave financial aid administrators from around the state the opportunity to learn about various financial aid topics on leadership and compliance. Sessions touched on SAP appeals, succession planning, leadership tools, professional judgement, grad professional loan changes, and more. The conference key-note speaker was Dr. Kevin Thomas, vice president for enrollment services and student success from the University of Central Arkansas. Thomas shared key points to conference attendees about how financial aid offices significantly impact recruitment and retention at institutions. The conference was also joined by the State Scholarship Program Office with the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.
Ken Ferreira, president of EASFAA, shares a recap of the association’s October 2025 EASFAA Regional Council meeting.
Betsy Johnson, past president of MASFAA, shares that the association held its annual conference from October 12-15 in St. Charles, Missouri. “Lean on Me” was the theme of the conference, which Betsy says shows how much MASFAA colleagues lean on each other to learn and get through good and bad times. The evening events provided some fun competition and an opportunity to unwind and connect with each other, especially our vendors who oversaw our tailgating games, she adds.
The association supported Ava’s Grace as its charity, an organization that provides scholarships to students who have or have had incarcerated parents. At the end of the conference, the gavel was passed to Emily Haynam of the University of Missouri.
Additionally, the association’s Finance Task Force is continuing its work into the 2025-2026 year, along with the development of MASFAA’s next strategic long range plan.
Check back next month to see what your colleagues are doing across the country, and check out your colleagues’ updates from previous months!
Publication Date: 11/24/2025
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