President's
Message
By Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen
As I begin to write this last message as TASFAA President, I can not
believe that I am four weeks away from the end of my term. I had hoped
to be congratulating our new Board members, however, at this point we
are in the midst of a run off and the final announcement has not been
made. I do want to thank all of those members that ran for a position.
I continue to be amazed at the number of dedicated professionals we
have in our association. I hope all of you continue to be involved whether
at the committee level or as a Board member. I really feel that being
TASFAA President is probably one of the most rewarding positions in
the financial aid profession. It is also very unique as it is one that
comes with many responsibilities. I am not sure how many other state
presidents take office and automatically become a member of several
other Boards or groups. Fortunately, in Texas, TASFAA, TG, ICUT, ATLE,
SWASFAA and the Coordinating Board form a united group working towards
common goals. We are a model for other states, and are finally being
sought out by state and federal policymakers as a resource for information
concerning student financial aid.
Throughout the year I have mentioned the many things we have accomplished;
but there are some that I really think are important to note:
- TASFAA along with ICUT conducted training for our state legislatures
and their aids
- For the first time in its history, TASFAA was invited to offer
public testimony before Legislative committees on financial aid issues.
- A new Hall of Fame Award category was approved; Friend of the Association
to recognize those persons that have dedicated service to TASFAA but
who were not working at an institution.
- By the end of the year, we will have approved a process by which
payment for any TASFAA event can be made using a credit card.
- TASFAA made a major commitment with its sponsorship of four members
to be part of the legislatively mandated Financial Aid Steering Committee.
In early 2004, the committee began bi-weekly meetings to evaluate
student financial aid programs in Texas. The result of this was the
report to the state legislature titled Preparing for the Emerging
Texas – Facilitating Participation and Success through Student
Financial Assistance Programs with recommendations that we hope
will be enacted by the legislature.
TASFAA is an exceptional organization of dedicated professionals who
work so closely that we can not help but to eventually become best of
friends; sharing the happiness, sadness, successes and struggles of
our personal lives. There are so many of you that I know I can count
on whenever I need to vent a shoulder to cry on or some guidance. Thank
goodness for telephones and email. When I started out on this “adventure”,
I received advice from many that had been in this position and I have
learned to appreciate everything that I was told. One piece I offer
to my successor; “There is nothing permanent except change.”
Just when you think you have everything (and everyone) in place; things
change. But the great thing is that I never felt alone during any of
the difficult times.
I have not only grown professionally during this year but personally
it has made me a better human being. I can not end this last message
without acknowledging several very special people:
- Marcus Wilson: Always a phone call or email away. That great voice
saying “Lindaaaaaaaaaaa”
- Pat Jost: The best Vice President anyone could ask for. I want
to take you home with me!!!
- Jim Lane: Thought we were having fun before…..Get ready for
a great ride. I hope I can be as much help to you as Marcus has been
to me.
- 2003-04 Committee Chairs – This association could not succeed
without the hard work of its committees and the Chairs took on a huge
responsibility when they accepted their positions. We had some bumps
in the road, but the final journey was excellent.
- The staff at the Financial Aid Office at the University of Texas
at El Paso – I was at UTEP for almost 30 years and left right
after my election as President Elect. During my tenure at UTEP, the
staff allowed me to become the professional I am today and gave me
the opportunity to get involved at the level that resulted in this
position. I left behind some of my best friends and Raul Lerma and
Ron Williams are in my thoughts almost daily.
- The staff at the Financial Aid Office at El Paso Community College
as well as my boss Mr. Tim Nugent, Vice President for Student Services
and EPCC President Dr. Richard Rhodes – They inherited this
position when I was hired but have been nothing but supportive in
allowing me the time to dedicate to TASFAA this past year. The Financial
Aid staff has become re-acquainted with TASFAA this last year and
is now beginning to get involved as well. I could not have asked for
a better College Administration to serve under. When the President
of your institution thanks you for serving as TASFAA President and
representing the College, you know you are in the right place.
- Last but most importantly, my husband Pete and son John Paul –
Many of you know Pete and I think we should create another Award category
for spouses like him. He loves being around financial aid people.
He always pushed me to take this on and has played “Mr. Mom”
for the last year without ever a complaint. My little one, JP, understanding
that Mama has to go "out of town, again", and helping me
bring everything into perspective when he ran into my arms upon my
return home.
Thank you all for sending me on this year long voyage. It has been
an exciting one and one that will stay with me forever. See you in Corpus.
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