Erin Dunham - Chair

Erin has been serving as a Financial Aid Advisor at San Jacinto College for the past four years. In this role, she assists students with the financial aid process and helps them navigate crucial components such as FAFSA completion, verification processes, and financial aid appeals. In addition to advising students, Erin plays an integral role in managing the Federal Work Study program for the campus, helping students gain valuable work experience while earning financial aid.

As a certified financial coach, Erin is committed to empowering students with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions.

Erin earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Sam Houston State university. Their expertise is reflected in their achievement of several NASFAA credentials, including Student Eligibility, Application Process, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Campus-Based Programs, Direct Loan Program, Cost of Attendance, Federal Pell Grant, Verification.

Daniel Warner, FAAC - Vice Chair

Daniel Warner stated his higher education career in 2014 as a student assistant where he first discovered his passion for education and helping college students. Daniel currently serves as a Financial Aid Advisor at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. He seeks to stay updated on financial aid changes and share that information with peers. His passion for learning drives his commitment to enhancing educational experiences and promoting psychological well-being among learners.

Daniel holds a master’s degree in human environmental sciences from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ohio University. He has earned the 16 available NASFAA credentials.

Brenda Vazquez 

Brenda Vazquez is an Assistant Director in Student Financial Services at Rice Business, where she manages aid for the Online MBA program and assists students with their financial aid process. She previously worked in Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Texas A&M University and as a College Advisor at Pasadena High School. Brenda holds an M.S. in Educational Human Resource Development and a B.A. in International Studies & Spanish from Texas A&M University. She lives in Houston with her two rescue dogs, Benji and Teddy, and enjoys helping others pursue their educational goals. Outside of work, she loves reading and dancing.

 Michelle Enriquez 

Michelle Enriquez is a Vice President, Relationship Manager at Citizens-she serves the SWASFAA states and she has been working in the student lending and various high-tech companies for the last 25+ years.  She serves as the 2025 SWASFAA Corporate Sponsorship Chair, along with TASFAA Sponsor Relations Committee and the TASFAA Training Committee.

James R. Smith, FAAC

James R. Smith is an accomplished higher‑education financial aid leader with more than two decades of experience guiding large, multi‑campus institutions through complex federal, state, and institutional aid processes. He currently serves as the Manager of Financial Aid Reporting and Reconciliation at Lone Star College, where he oversees a team of seven and manages all federal and state reporting, Pell Grant and Direct Loan reconciliation, R2T4 processes, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) final reviews, institutional scholarships, and federal/state work‑study programs. He also directs key initiatives such as the Texas Mentor Program and has managed CRRSAA and CARES Act funding compliance.

James has held several senior leadership roles within Lone Star College, including Temporary Executive Director of Financial Aid and System Director of Financial Aid Communications and Training, where he led teams of up to 129 staff members, managed college‑wide financial aid communications, and developed training programs for new and current employees across the system.

Prior to his system‑level leadership, James served as Director of Financial Aid at Lone Star College–Kingwood, where he managed daily operations, compliance, customer service, SAP processes, and staff supervision. His earlier career includes key financial aid leadership roles at Horry Georgetown Technical College, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, the College of Charleston, and Coastal Carolina University, where he consistently oversaw multimillion‑dollar aid portfolios, led federal audits, developed policies and procedures, and strengthened institutional scholarship and customer service operations.

James holds a B.A. in Sociology from Coastal Carolina University and an MBA in Management from American InterContinental University. A committed professional in his field, he is actively involved in associations including TASFAA, SWASFAA, SCASFAA, GASFAA, SASFAA, and NASFAA—earning multiple NASFAA credentials and certification as a Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC).

Dedicated to student success and institutional compliance, James brings a deep understanding of financial aid operations, leadership, and policy implementation to every role he serves.

 Teresa Washburn

With more than thirty years of experience, Teresa Washburn is recognized as a respected leader in Training, Customer Service Excellence, and Title IV funding management. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving performance, developing staff, and maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

Teresa has been a consistent advocate for effective training and professional development. She has led initiatives that equip employees with the knowledge and tools they need to serve students with accuracy, confidence, and professionalism. Under her leadership, teams have achieved notable growth, advancement, and sustained excellence in service delivery.

Beyond her internal leadership roles, Teresa is also a sought‑after speaker and consultant, sharing her expertise through workshops, seminars, and industry events. Her dedication to elevating customer service standards and strengthening Title IV practices continues to influence the field of education administration.

Teresa remains committed to fostering high-quality service, supporting continuous learning, and inspiring the next generation of professionals in financial aid and student services.

Tonya Richardson-Dean

Tonya Richardson Deanis a seasoned higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience serving as a Director of Financial Aid. She currently holds the role of Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships at East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. Her career spans multiple areas within Student Services, where she has built a reputation for advocacy, innovation, and student-centered leadership.

Tonya earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas and holds a Master of Arts in Human Services with a specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Her educational foundation has deeply informed her holistic, empathetic approach to leadership, counseling, and supporting students through their academic and personal journeys.

She has successfully led cross-functional teams through financial aid modernization, regulatory transitions, and strategic initiatives aimed at improving access for underserved and veteran student populations. A natural collaborator and mentor, Tonya is committed to the professional development of others in the field and to advancing equity and excellence across the student aid landscape.

Beyond her work in higher education, Tonya is the owner of Creative Ujima², an event planning business that reflects her entrepreneurial drive and creativity. In her personal life, she takes the greatest pride in her family—her husband of 35 years, Rodney; their two daughters, Tonisha and Jasmine; and her beloved grandson, Yasir.

Tonya believes that "without change, it is impossible to grow," a principle that guides her leadership philosophy.

 Erica Miller

Erica has worked in various financial aid positions for nearly 21 years. She is passionate about helping students pursue their higher education goals and was recently promoted to Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Financial Aid at Texas Lutheran University. Working at a small private institution has allowed her to expand her knowledge in all areas of the financial aid process and provided her with the opportunity to work through a new FAM system implementation within the last few years. Erica serves on several campus committees related to student retention and University program planning and is currently serving on two TASFAA training committees.

Erica holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of the Southwest, a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, and she is scheduled to complete her Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Texas Lutheran University in May 2026. Erica has also completed several NASFAA credentials including earning the FAAC® designation.

Joseph Platt - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

I have been working at Texas A&M University-San Antonio for nearly four years, with nearly two years in my current role. This is also where I earned my bachelor's in history. My responsibilities include overseeing our federal and state work-study programs, as well as assisting with C-Flag resolutions. While this is my first experience serving on a committee, I have accrued five NASFAA credentials to date and am eager to further expand and share my knowledge.