Sessions & Speakers

Jackie Cottom currently serves as the instructional content specialist for NASFAA on the Training and Regulatory Assistance team. She has served in the financial aid community for over 15 years and has made it a priority to work with organizations that value the importance of promoting student access and success in higher education. Prior to joining NASFAA in 2020, she worked at Northern Virginia Community College as the assistant director of financial aid compliance and support. She began her professional career at a foundation promoting the message "College is Possible" during hundreds of planning and paying for college workshops she organized around the country with community, local and national partners. Over the years, she has volunteered and served in state, regional, and national associations. She currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and their two sons and daughter. Jackie is a proud alumna of James Madison University - Go DUKES!

David Downing is a NASFAA U Instructor with NASFAA's Training and Regulatory Assistance team. Prior to joining NASFAA in 2019, he was the associate director of financial aid operations at Arizona State University responsible for oversight of verification processing and the Federal Pell Grant program. He has worked professionally in financial aid since 2004 also working at Washington State University as the assistant director of communications and at the University of Phoenix in training and content development as well as several other roles. He received his bachelor of science in business with a minor in human resource management from Western International University and master of arts in education/adult education and training from the University of Phoenix. He has also served as the communications chair, secretary, and volunteered on a variety of committees with the Western Association of Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA). He lives in Mesa, Arizona with his wife Charity and their two boys.

Tonya joined NASFAA's Training and Regulatory Assistance team in 2019. Prior to joining NASFAA, she was the senior assistant director of financial aid at Franklin & Marshall College. Her interest in financial aid started as a work-study student and she has worked professionally in financial aid since 2002. She received a bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics education and master's degree in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a second bachelor's degree in business administration/accounting from Millersville University. She also volunteered for numerous committees and served for many years as the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA). She is married to her husband, Danny, and they have a daughter, Alana.

David Tolman has been in the financial aid field since 1992. Like many financial aid administrators, he thought his first financial aid job would just be a temporary thing. Prior to joining NASFAA, David had worked in many positions in the financial aid office, including director. He also taught Principles of Microeconomics courses when his schedule allowed. As an instructional design and content specialist at NASFAA, David is able to combine his experience in financial aid and his love of teaching and training. His education includes a master's degree from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University. David lives with his family in Boise, Idaho.