Director of Financial Aid

The University of LaVerne is a 126-year old, private independent, comprehensive, doctoral granting institution in Southern California with a strong emphasis on values, teaching excellence, community engagement, and an increasing commitment to research and publication. The University offers high quality, liberal arts and professional degree programs at the undergraduate to doctoral levels and is comprised of 9 campuses with the main campus located in the City of LaVerne, 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles, along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Regional campuses range from Vandenberg in the North, to Irvine in the South, and from Oxnard in the West to Victorville in the East.

Campus Culture
The University of La Verne was founded by members of the Church of the Brethren, a small protestant denomination founded in 1708. While the University no longer has official ties to the Church of the Brethren, the University continues to be shaped by Brethren values of service, community, hospitality, social justice, peacemaking, and humility. The Church of the Brethren is one of the three historic peace churches, known for its commitment to pacifism. The University continues to honor and appreciate its pacifist roots, encouraging our community to ask difficult and enduring questions about peacemaking, and values its long history of students, faculty, and staff who have been conscientious objectors to war and active in peace and social justice movements.

Today, the University has a federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with 40% of the student population identifying itself as Hispanic/Latino, 55% students of color, 10% international students, and a large proportion first-generation. The University has a strong commitment to diversity and equity, and places a high priority on creating an environment that supports the growth and success of underrepresented and underserved populations. The university seeks to widen access to higher education, provide transformative education, and prepare students to have career and community success.

Classified by Carnegie as a Community-Engaged University, La Verne offers high quality, liberal arts and professional degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to traditional-age, adult learners and veterans.

The Position
Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and Communications, the Director will have supervisory responsibility for 14 staff & 8,500 students on nine campuses and will be expected to:

ensure all federal and state-wide regulations and best practices are adhered to while ensuring the highest level of personalized customer service is maintained to students and parents;

serve as Chief Compliance Officer for Title IV federal aid regulations and member of the University's Enrollment Management team serving the main campus, 8 Regional Campuses & the College of Law;

develop, implement & manage financial aid strategies, policies, & procedures utilizing industry best practices & state of the art customer service to serve the University's goals & ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations and statutes;

in conjunction with consultants, & other enrollment team members, utilize net tuition revenue models to package financial aid. Monitor awards verifying against budget recommendations for any needed corrective action;

ensure fiscal accountability in fund management, disbursement and recovery by coordinating technology and information systems for effective administration of student financial aid funds;

draft and/or direct the preparation & maintenance of required institutional FA statistical reports including the annual FISAP;

administer and facilitate the awarding of all new and continuing students' financial aid packages;

oversee the verification of specific federal and/or state criteria, authorization of payment process & reconciliation with accounting office(s) and R2T4 in compliance with federal and state regulations & University policies while utilizing industry's best practices;

oversee the administration of all student loan programs, including calculations of eligibility, origination of applications, entrance/exit interviews and serve as liaison with other outside agencies;

maintain a vibrant, informative, accurate, user-friendly departmental website which reflects the
marketing design components and policies of the institution; and

represent the University of La Verne at professional development conferences and workshops to remain current on federal and state regulations.

Qualifications
A bachelor's degree and significant documented progressive experience in all student financial aid operations and staff management will be expected of the director. Additionally, the following skills will be expected:

demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of trends in higher education and student financial aid;

detailed understanding of the functions of a successful financial aid office, including counseling, compliance, systems and reporting, and financial management;

evidence of leadership in the development and execution of innovative student financial aid strategies utilizing institutional resources as well as federal, state and private funds;

experience with and understanding of the use of systems and technology employed to manage and report on financial aid operations and communications (knowledge of SCT Banner is a plus);

demonstrated understanding of regulatory compliance matters concerning all financial aid functions, including institutional, federal, state and other outside agency requirements;

comprehensive and current knowledge of aid programs with demonstrated skills in interpretation and application of federal regulations and compliance issues;

strong analytical and problem solving knowledge and skills in research, statistical analysis, student tracking, assessment and data-based decision support;

commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and ability to communicate and work effectively with a diverse socio-economic population with understanding and compassion; and

a demonstrated desire and ability to develop exceptional customer service systems.

Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin October 27, 2017 and will continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at http://bit.ly/2fyo4vB. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Kendra E. Dane at ked@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

Spelman Johnson
University of La Verne - Director of Financial Aid
Kendra E. Dane, Search Associate

Visit the University of La Verne website at: https://laverne.edu

The University of La Verne is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against for employment or employees on any basis prohibited by state and federal law.





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