TASFAA 2012
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
2011-2012 Executive Board
President Lester McKenzie, Tennessee Technological University
President-Elect John Brandt, Union University
Past President Sandra Rockett, Dyersburg State Community College
Secretary Donna Price, Austin Peay State University
Treasurer Amy Collins, East Tennessee State University
2011-2012 Sector Representatives
Representative at Large Janie Burns, Bethel University
Private Sector Rep Richard Brand, Maryville College
Proprietary Sector Rep Sandra Davidson, South College
Public 2-Year Rep Leah Louallen, Nashville State Community College
Public 4-Year Rep Celena Tulloss, University of Tennessee
TN Tech Ctr Rep Owetha Hunter, TTC Whiteville
2011-2012 Committee Chairs
Association Governance Jeff Gerkin, University of Tennessee
Awards Sara Jackson, Chattanooga State Community College
Budget/Finance Marian Huffman, Lee University
Conference Celena Tulloss, University of Tennessee
Diversity Summer Judd, Freed-Hardeman University
Electronic Services Ryan Smith, Bryan College
Governmental Relations Ron Gambill, Edsouth
Historical Naomi Derryberry, TSAC
Membership Sonja McMullen, Sallie Mae
Mentoring Leah Louallen, Nashville State Community College
Public Relations Terri Parchment, TSAC
Nominations Sandra Rockett, Dyersburg State Community College
Site Selection Joanie Walker, Middle Tennessee State University
Sponsorship Janie Burns, Bethel University
State Programs Jane Pennington, TSAC
TSAC Advisory Chair Lester McKenzie, Tennessee Tech University
Training Brenda DiSorbo, Cleveland State Community College
Special Appointee Darolyn Porter, TSAC
Celena Tulloss,
University of Tennessee, Chair
Lester McKenzie,
Tennessee Tech University, TASFAA President
Janie Burns,
Bethel University
Brenda DiSorbo,
Cleveland State Community College
Jan Lassiter,
Edsouth
Sonja McMullen,
Sallie Mae
Terri Parchment,
TSAC
Darolyn Porter,
TSAC
Ryan Smith,
Bryan College
Joanie Walker,
Middle Tennessee State University
April 22, 2012
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Welcome to the 44th Annual TASFAA Conference. I hope you find the contents
and delivery as rewarding as it has been putting the program together. Celena
Tulloss and the conference committee have been working hard to ensure the
content of the sessions is both relevant and informative. We are pleased to have two friends of Tennessee
here from the Department of Ed, Mr. David Bartnicki and Mr. Wood Mason. They both bring a lively and
enthusiastic knowledge to us.
Please take an opportunity to thank the Board Members listed on page two and the conference committee
on page three for their hard work and dedication to our profession, our institutions and our students!
Nothing could be accomplished without the special efforts of these TASFAA members. I also want to
thank each of you. Taking time away from your offices at this time of year is an investment of time and
energy; we hope you will return to your office more knowledgeable and with a better understanding of the
profession we love.
As I near the end of my year as President, I would be remiss if I didn‟t mention my two families: home
and office. Many of you know my wife and understand she is my right arm - I rely on her for everything
and she has always come through for me. I love you. To each of the staff members in the Office of
Financial Aid at Tennessee Tech University (Debbie, Adriane, Jeff, Jonathan, Libby, Linda, Sherri, Polly,
Kristyn, Lita, Geneva, Tina and lastly Brenda) I owe you everything for covering me when I am out and
supporting me throughout this year. Wouldn‟t trade you for the world! And finally to my boss, Dr. Robert
Hodum, my friend, colleague and mentor - your support, guidance and faith mean everything.
As each of you look through this program, please understand the theme of the conference: Working in
Harmony! Each of us has an instrument to motivate, entertain, captivate, or just make noise. Our students
and institutions don‟t need more noise in their lives so we must harness the talent that is inherent in each
of us to work in harmony with all others no matter if they are making beautiful music or noise.
Peace in your hearts,
Lester McKenzie, President
Dear TASFAA Friends:
On behalf of the Conference Committee, I am pleased to welcome you
to the 2012 TASFAA Conference!
This year‟s theme “TASFAA: Working in Harmony” speaks to the goals
of our profession, trying to harmoniously join federal, state and
institutional regulations with excellent customer service and outreach to
our students. As Financial Aid Administrators, the TASFAA
conference allows us to network with our colleagues and friends, to learn, to de-stress and to
find harmony in our work/life balance.
This year‟s conference has a wide variety of sessions designed to benefit both new members
and experienced ones. We are excited to be joined by several distinguished guests, including
David Bartnicki and Wood Mason from the U.S. Department of Education, Jeff Dennis,
SASFAA President, and Justin Draeger, NASFAA President. Please join me in welcoming
them to Tennessee and our TASFAA family.
Please make time to visit the exhibit area often during the conference to thank our donors for
their support of our training efforts. Their financial support is critical to TASFAA and our
conference.
As you attend the various sessions, visit with friends and colleagues and enjoy some fellowship.
Tennessee is famous world-wide for its music, and we hope your time with us at the TASFAA
2012 Conference brings some harmony to your life and work.
Sincerely,
Celena Tulloss
2012 TASFAA Conference Chair
Cell Phones/Electronic Devices
As a courtesy to the speaker and attendees, please turn your cell phones and/or
electronic devices to a silent position during General and Concurrent Sessions.
Conference Attire
Business casual attire is appropriate for the entire conference.
Hospitality Suite
The TASFAA Hospitality Suite is Suite 1120 and will be open at various times throughout the
conference. The hours are listed in the agenda section of this program and in the Pocket
Program.
Meals
Please note that Sunday and Tuesday Dinners are “On Your Own”. For conference meals,
individuals who requested vegetarian meals can indicate this to the wait staff during each meal
and they will accommodate your request.
Name Badges
Please wear your name badge at all times as it is necessary for admission to all conference
sessions and meals. If you misplace your badge, please go to the registration desk.
Special Thanks
As always, the members of TASFAA express their gratitude for the continued support from our
grand patrons and vendors who have allowed us to offer this spring conference for a reasonable
fee. A listing of those agencies and organizations providing conference support is included in
this program.
Vendor Area
The vendor area will be considered closed during all General Sessions and meal functions.
3:00 pm to Close Conference Headquarters Clydesdale
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm TASFAA Suite Open Suite 1120
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Executive Board/
Conference Committee Dinner Suite 1120
8:00 am til Close Conference Headquarters Clydesdale
8:00 am to 9:00 am New Aid Officer
Workshop Registration Registration Counter
8:30 am to 9:00 am Executive Board Breakfast Franklin
8:30 am to 9:00 am New Aid Officers Breakfast Williamson
9:00 am to 2:30 pm Executive Board Meeting Franklin
9:00 am to 4:00 pm New Aid Officers Workshop Williamson
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Exec Board/New Aid Officers
Luncheon Mustang/Quarterhorse
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Vendor Area Setup Salons 7 - 10
2:00 pm to 4:45 pm Conference Registration Registration Counter
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Governmental Relations Comm Thoroughbred
3:30 pm to 4:45 pm Vendor Area Open Salons 7-10
5:00 pm to 6:15 pm General Session Salon 6
Federal Update
Presented by David Bartnicki, USDOE
6:30 pm to 10:00 pm President‟s Welcome Reception Suite 1120
7:30 am til Close Conference Headquarters Open Clydesdale
8:00 am to 11:45 am Conference Registration Open Registration Counter
8:00 am to 11:45 am Vendor Area Open Salons 7 - 10
8:00 am to 9:00 am Continental Breakfast Salons 7-10
9:00 am to 10:30 am General Session Salon 6
Direct Loans and COD
Wood Mason, USDOE
9:00 am to 10:30 am TTC Meeting Saddlebred
10:30 am to 10:45 am Break Salons 7-10
10:45 am to 11:45 am Concurrent Sessions A
DL Service Providers
Sonja McMullen, Sallie Mae
Dana Kelly, Nelnet
Roger Eldridge, Great Lakes
David Bartnicki, USDOE
Williamson
FA’s Role in Retention
Richard Brand, Maryville College
Nancy Beverly, King College
Eddie White, Trevecca Nazarene Univ.
Saddlebred
R2T4 for Modules
Brenda Burney, Columbia State CC
Donna Price, Austin Peay State Univ.
Joe Myers, Motlow State CC
Janie Burns, Bethel University
Franklin
Banner Hot Topics Wanda Emfinger, Motlow State CC
Mary Cochran, Austin Peay State Univ Highland
Dealing with Difficult People David Bowman, Great Lakes Morgan
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Awards Luncheon Salon 5
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Conference Registration Open Registration Counter
1:45 pm to 3:00 pm General Session Salon 6
Satisfactory Academic Progress
David Bartnicki, USDOE
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm Vendor Area Open Salons 7-10
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm Break Salons 7-10
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Concurrent Sessions B
SAP Panel Josh Moran, Nashville State CC
Eddie White, Trevecca Nazarene University Williamson
Scholarship Software Kelly Chambers, TTU
Bonnie McCarty, MTSU Saddlebred
Financial Literacy
Cathy Jones, TSAC
Charles Harper, Belmont University
Brenda Burney, Columbia State CC
Trina Wilson, MTSU
Highland
NASFAA Reauthorization Brent Tener, Vanderbilt University Franklin
Soft Skills/ Leadership Larry Rector, Johnson University
Jeff Dennis, Southern Wesleyan University Morgan
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Dinner Salon 5
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Entertainment/Dance
Live Concert by Frank Ortega Salon 5/6
7:30 am „til Close Conference Headquarters Open Clydesdale
8:00 am to 11:45 am Conference Registration Open Registration Counter
8:00 am to 9:00 am Continental Breakfast Salons 7-10
8:00 am to 10:45 am Vendor Area Open Salons 7-10
9:00 am to 10:30 am General Session/Business Meeting Salon 5
TSAC/TELS
Diane LeJeune, Jason Seay, Richard Rhoda, Tim Phelps and Jane Pennington
9:00 am to 10:30 am Grad/Professional Meeting Boardroom
10:30 am to 10:45 am Break Salons 7-10
10:45 am to 11:45 am Concurrent Sessions C
Gainful Employment Owetha Hunter, TTC Whiteville
Gary Fouts, TTC Dickson Morgan
TSAC/e*GRandS Naomi Derryberry, TSAC
Robert Biggers, TSAC Highland
Verification Panel
Jeanne Hinchee, Chattanooga State CC
Amanda Heath, TTC Covington
Willie Thomas, Chattanooga State CC
Janie Burns, Bethel University
Celia Bradley, MTSU
Salons 3/4
Top Ten Compliance Issues Dana Kelly, Nelnet
Clyde Walker, Vanderbilt University Franklin
Serving Students with
Disabilities Summer Judd, Freed-Hardeman University Saddlebred
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Business Luncheon
Vendor Recognition Salon 5
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Conference Registration Registration Counter
1:45 pm to 3:00 pm General Session Salon 5
Federal Question and Answer
David Bartnicki, USDOE
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm Vendor Area Open Salons 7-10
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm Break Salons 7-10
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Vendor Area Breakdown Salons 7-10
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Birds of a Feather Sessions
Private Sector Richard Brand, Maryville College Franklin
Public 4 Year Sector Stephen White, MTSU Williamson
Public 2 Year Sector Leah Louallen, Nashville State CC Highland
Proprietary Sector Sandra Davidson, South College Saddlebred
TTC Sector Owetha Hunter, TTC Whiteville Morgan
Dinner on Your Own
7:30 am to 12:00 pm Conference Headquarters Open Clydesdale
8:00 am to 9:00 am Breakfast Salon 5
9:00 am to 9:45 am NASFAA Notes Salon 5
Justin Draeger, NASFAA
9:45 am to 11:15 am General Session Salon 5
VERIFICATION
David Bartnicki, USDOE
11:15 am to 11:30 am Closing Remarks Salon 5
Edfinancial Services
Edsouth
TSAC
Discover/Citi Assist Loans
First Marblehead
Inceptia (NSLP)
Nelnet
USA Funds
Wells Fargo