Director of Financial Aid
Gallaudet University is the world’s only university designed to be barrier-free for deaf and hard of hearing students. For more than 150 years, Gallaudet University, now classified as a Research 2 (R2) University, has led advances in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students and deaf rights worldwide. Today, students from across the United States and more than 25 countries—diverse in perspectives, backgrounds, interests, and communication styles—form an exciting learning community as they prepare for dynamic careers and a lifetime of growth. Offering more than fifty bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, nearly 50 percent of the faculty are deaf/hard of hearing and Gallaudet has more than 21,000 alumni who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing throughout the world. Located in Washington, D.C., Gallaudet enrolls nearly 1,100 undergraduates and over 400 graduate students. Reporting to the associate provost for student success and academic quality, the director will be responsible for the overall management and administration of all student financial aid as well as the operation of the Financial Aid Office. The director is responsible for the awarding and disbursement of the annual financial aid expenditures of approximately $35 million, which includes an institutional aid budget of $8 million. Supervising a staff of four who provide service for the undergraduate and graduate financial aid applicants, the director will hire, train, and provide professional development opportunities and mentoring to all financial aid staff members. The director will be expected to work closely with institutional colleagues to meet enrollment and retention goals and be an effective collaborator, working with partners across campus to develop and implement policies regarding the awarding of institutional aid in a manner that supports and promotes Gallaudet’s enrollment and student success goals. In collaboration with the associate provost and provost, the director is responsible for the development, oversight, and implementation of the financial aid leveraging strategies, financial aid policies, and awarding practices to ensure the efficient and strategic distribution of funds. Additionally, the director will demonstrate by example a clear commitment to providing excellent service to students, families, VR counselors, and other constituencies, reinforcing Gallaudet’s commitment to student-centered education and development. Specifically, the director will be expected to: • Ensure that all federally mandated requirements are performed as stipulated; • Analyze and interpret federal and state legislation relative to financial aid functions and oversee the implementation of new regulatory requirements; • Provide individual student counseling services to students and families; • Ensure fiscal accountability in fund management, disbursement, and recovery by coordinating technology and the PeopleSoft enterprise system for effective administration of student aid funds; ensure that the system is used effectively and that technologically up-to-date processes and product enhancements are developed; • Provide direct assistance to University stakeholders regarding financial aid regulations while ensuring that institutional policies are consistent with University goals and objectives; • Utilize net tuition revenue models to package financial aid; monitor and verify awards against budget recommendations for any needed corrective action; • Provide strategic and analytical coordination for the University on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) award funding sources and trends in VR funding support for students; • Oversee the verification of specific federal and/or state criteria, authorization of payment process, reconciliation with the accounting office and R2T4 in compliance with federal and state regulations and University policies, while utilizing industry best practices; and • Complete or direct completion of all external financial aid reports and surveys and serve as liaison with college auditors. A bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) and a minimum of five years of professional experience in a financial aid office are required. In addition, expert knowledge of general financial aid systems, procedures, and federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as knowledge of basic management skills and counseling techniques, will be expected of the director. Sophisticated understanding and demonstrated experience with financial aid leveraging modeling, strong data/analytical skills, and expert utilization of data and current industry technology in support of the division’s goals and responsibilities will be expected of the director. Excellent interpersonal and management skills and exceptional written, face-to-face, and presentation skills will also be required.