My First NASFAA Conference
By Chris Murr, Associate Director, Texas State University

I had a great first NASFAA conference experience in Washington, D.C. Attending a small gathering on the Hill to listen to Senator Kennedy was probably the highlight. The sessions were very informative and from experts who obviously knew their business. It was also good to attend presentations from agency officials from HHS and Senate staffers who could give their unique insights into the administration of aid programs at the federal level and the political reasoning behind proposed changes to the loan programs.

Just as important to attending any professional conference is the opportunity to network, share ideas and think about your business in different ways. There was ample opportunity for that. In particular, I enjoyed visiting and dining with colleagues from various schools in Michigan. I met attorneys specializing in financial aid litigation, members of public-relations firms promoting financial aid issues and many other interesting people working in various aspects of our field.

Would I recommend NASFAA to anyone who hasn’t gone previously? I definitely would. It gives you a much better appreciation of how what you’re trying to accomplish at your institution fits into the broader context of what the profession is working toward at a national level—ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial resources, has access to a higher education.