Meet the Candidates
President Elect: Mira Morgan
Treasurer: Amanda Abreu
Member at Large- 4 Year Private: Blake Fox; Albert Mangini; James McGehee
Member at Large- 4 Year Public: Amy Belina
Member at Large- 2 Year Community College: Keisa Davis-Rezendes
Member at Large- Graduate and Professional: Rebecca Anderson; Valeria Harris; Kathryn Moore
Member at Large- Associate: Julie Lawton
Position descriptions and information can be found here.
Mira Morgan
President-Elect Candidate
Statement of Candidacy:
I am honored to run for the position of MASFAA President and would use my time as President working with the Executive Council to continue finding new ways to support our members during this challenging time in financial aid.
The 2023 MASFAA conference was the most well-attended since I became a member, which showcases not only that we have a wonderful and dedicated group of volunteers in this organization, but also that there is a great need for continued professional development, networking, and support in our profession. The past several years have come with so many changes, and I know I would not have been able to keep up with everything without the help of my MASFAA colleagues. One of my strengths has always been reading through regulations with an eye for detail and determining policies and procedures, but with everything new that comes out, it is impossible for one person to do it all. Being an active MASFAA member continues to be an important part of my career; it has given me many opportunities to learn and allowed me to work with a variety of people in our field.
As President, my priority would be to forge connections with current and new members to help provide the most resources to support each other in financial aid.
Treasurer
Amanda Abreu
Treasurer Candidate
Statement of Candidacy:
I am grateful and honored to have been nominated for 2024-25 MASFAA Treasurer.
I began my financial aid career in 2007, and I’ve been fortunate to work with many diverse populations. From undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies, within the private, public, and community college settings, I enjoy exploring all of the facets that aid has to offer. It is a field that is both dynamic and unpredictable, and as rewarding as it is challenging. But the one thing that has remained constant throughout my journey has been my love for MASFAA, and all of the talented individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting along the way.
My involvement in MASFAA has been multi-faceted. I was a prior Executive Council member and Tri-Chair of the Graduate and Professional Concerns Committee, where I represented the needs of our graduate and adult education populations. In this role, I helped coordinate the yearly Graduate Symposium, which included scheduling, securing speakers, program development, handling financials, registrations, and more. In addition, I assisted with moderating MASFAA Conference sessions, led roundtable discussions, participated in FAFSA Day, and helped coordinate additional financial wellness programming. I also participated in MASFAA’s Emerging Leaders program, and was graciously awarded the Charles E. Jones Achievement Award, which still remains my most treasured accolade 15 years later.
In 2016, I took a break from the work force to stay home with my children, but when I returned to aid full-time a year ago, the first thing I did was make sure my MASFAA membership was up-to-date. Seeing all of the familiar faces at Conference this past Fall reignited my fire to take a more active role within the organization, and to challenge myself with a new opportunity. Treasurer is a position I would be an excellent match for, and I’m excited to have the chance to serve our association once more.
I am responsible, organized, and reliable. I am honest, cooperative, and committed. I will carry out the fiscal duties assigned to this role, ensure adequate record-keeping, and proper management of funding. Most importantly, I will continue to support the continued growth and momentum of MASFAA as our leading professional organization.
Thank you again and I look forward to this opportunity!
Member at Large- 4 Year Private
Blake Fox
Member at Large- 4 Year Private
Statement of Candidacy:
My career in higher education started at Boston University as a customer service representative helping graduate students navigate financial aid and registration policies. Although I initially accepted that position so I could use the Tuition Remission benefit to figure out what I really wanted to do as a career, I quickly realized that I enjoyed working in higher education administration. Since then, I have worked as a Financial Aid Officer in one of BU’s graduate schools, managed a caseload of undergraduate students as an Assistant Director in BU’s central Office of Financial Assistance, and I am currently BU’s Senior Assistant Director for Loans and Graduate Aid. Along the way, I also used the Tuition Remission benefit to complete a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.
Since joining MASFAA in 2019, I have become a cheerleader for MASFAA by encouraging my colleagues, particularly those who are newer to the field of financial aid, to attend MASFAA’s training opportunities and annual conference. In 2022 and 2023, I coordinated the travel for 10+ members of BU’s financial aid team to attend the MASFAA annual conference and in 2021 and 2023, I presented at Just the FACTS! I hope to continue investing in the MASFAA community by serving in the Member-at-Large – 4 Year Private role.
Outside of work, I like to spend my time backpacking in the mountains, playing tabletop RPGs, watching TV, playing ultimate frisbee, fly fishing, and spending time with my partner, Kaitlyn, and our dog, Brigsby.
Albert Mangini
Member at Large- 4 Year Private
Statement of Candidacy:
Hello,
My name is Albert Mangini. I am the Manager of Student Aid Awarding at Berklee College of Music. I am running for the opportunity to serve as MASFAA member at large 4 year private.
The member at large position is a unique opportunity. It’s a chance to challenge myself and a chance to use my experience and share my perspective to the Executive council.
I have been a member of the MASFAA community since 1994. During this time I have served on The Conference Committee. Volunteered at College Goal Sunday and most recently took part in MEFA’s FAFSA Festival & MASSEdCO’s financial aid fair.
It would be an honor to serve MASFAA in this role, and I hope that you will consider voting for me as member at large 4 year private.
James McGehee
Member at Large- 4 Year Private
Statement of Candidacy:
I am honored to be nominated for the opportunity to represent four-year private colleges as a MASFAA Member-at-Large. I believe very strongly in the mission of MASFAA and have dedicated my time and energy to developing training for MASFAA members in order to advance that mission. I would bring that energy and experience to this elected role.
I am an Associate Director of Financial Assistance at Bentley University, where I have worked for the past 8 years. Prior to working in financial aid, I worked in university scholarship management for Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama and in undergraduate admission at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. I received financial aid training through the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators New Aid Officer Workshop and MASFAA Leadership Academy.
As a MASFAA member, I have served on the Professional Development & Training Committee since 2019, and as chair or co-chair of that committee since 2020. Through the PD&T Committee, I have led several Just the Facts training sessions over the years and led two cohorts of the MASFAA Leadership Academy. Additionally, I have organized the annual tax training sessions and other ad hoc training events.
Outside of work, I am an advocate for better public transportation in the Boston region and the dad to a very spry fourteen-year-old dog.
Member at Large- 4 Year Public
Amy Belina
Member at Large- 4 Year Public
Statement of Candidacy:
As a member of MASFAA for over 20 years, it would be an honor to serve on Executive Council, Member at Large 4-year Public. I am familiar with this role having served as Member at Large 2-year Public in prior years. Additionally, I have worked on Conference Committee and served as a Site Coordinator for FAFSA Day events in years past.
With having more than 20 years in Financial Aid, I have worked at various levels in my career. However, the one thing that has remained is my passion for public higher education. I started at Westfield State in 2003 as a Financial Aid Counselor, until I shifted to the community college sector in 2008. There, I held roles as Financial Aid Counselor, Senior Financial Aid Counselor, Associate Director, and Interim Director at both Holyoke Community College (Associate Director) and Springfield Technical Community College. In January, 2023, I came full circle back to university level as Associate Director of Financial Aid at Worcester State.
In these times where our industry faces such challenges, experience is needed to help lead the way. MASFAA has, and always will be, a place for us to learn and share, while providing leadership and guidance. I hope that you will allow me to bring my knowledge and energy back to Executive Council.
Member at Large- 2 Year Community College
Keisa Davis-Rezendes
Member at Large- 2 Year Community College
Statement of Candidacy:
I am currently the Associate Director of Student Financial Services at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, where I have worked since 2017. Prior to BHCC, I worked as Assistant Director at Lesley University in Cambridge MA working with undergraduate students. All in all, I have served students and families for over 13 years at a variety of institutions. I was recently honored as the 2023 recipient of Paul Cellucci Leadership in State Government award.
My own positive experiences with financial aid as an undergraduate motivate me to pay it forward to others by creating an environment where financial aid is not to be feared but seen as a useful and necessary tool. I am also motivated, as a person of color, to provide an example to younger generations and hold the door open for others to walk through. My role at BHCC allows me to serve my community though college achievement and transformation. I would be honored to serve as the voice of my diligent and thoughtful colleagues who have provided me with much inspiration and support over the years.
Member at Large- Graduate and Professional
Rebecca Anderson
Member at Large- Graduate and Professional
Statement of Candidacy:
As a candidate for the position of Member at Large – Graduate and Professional School, I am committed to representing the interests of graduate and professional students and schools within MASFAA. I began working in financial aid in 2015, and have been a member of MASFAA since. Previous to financial aid, I worked in student affairs for eleven years.
My previous background in student affairs makes me a great candidate for a Member at Large position within the organization, as my passion for advocacy is something I will carry forward in my career, no matter my title. I have served on the MASFAA Conference Committee since 2020, serving as the Entertainment Co-Chair for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 conference, and most recently served as a Conference Committee Tri-Chair for the 2023 conference, and will serve as a Tri-Chair for the 2024 conference.
At Boston Architectural College our student body is mostly enrolled in our graduate programs. I aim to contribute to meaningful discussions and decision-making processes and represent our graduate and professional school population in Executive Council. In this role, I plan to continue to promote participation in MASFAA events, collaborate on projects within the organization, and build upon the resources that Executive Council has provided for our graduate and professional school members in the past.
Valeria Harris
Member at Large- Graduate and Professional
Statement of Candidacy:
My name is Valeria Harris, I have worked in the financial aid arena for a vast number of years. First, I worked as the Student Loan Manager at Harvard College. Managing the federal and institutional loan program for undergraduates. I transitioned to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as Assistant Director of Financial Aid where I was responsible awarding aid, managing the Loan Repayment Forgiveness Program and Federal Work-study. Later I took a position at the Havard Graduate School of Education Admission and Aid Office where I serve as the Senior Associate Director.
I have been involved with MASFAA for over 20 years, serving in a variety of roles, such as Co-Chair for the Graduate Professional Concerns Committee, Member of Government Relations, Volunteered on FAFSA Day, and the Financial Wellness. CO-presented at a MASFAA conference on Financial Wellness with iGrad’ s Donna Miller and most recently co-facilitated a session on the Barriers and Biases faced by Women in Higher Education Leadership at the 2023 conference.
As the Member at Large I would serve as the voice for the Graduate and Professional Community by bringing forward the issues and concerns as it relates to financial aid policies. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve the Graduate Professional community.
Kathryn Moore
Member at Large- Graduate and Professional
Statement of Candidacy:
I am honored to submit my candidacy for the Graduate/Professional Member at Large. The financial aid profession is all about advocacy and service to our students, community and institution. The basis of the work is to assist students with financial success so that they may achieve their dreams academically and professionally. As a graduate aid professional, there is even greater challenge with the nature of resources and support needed to graduate students and what is often available to them.
While I admit, becoming a financial aid administrator was not in my dream careers list – financial aid was a big part of my success when completing my undergraduate degree. The transparency and resources that I received from my financial aid counselor greatly assisted in my overall financial literacy. After my first financial aid position at Berklee College of Music, it was with excitement that I applied for and completed my masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Boston University. During this time, I developed an immense appreciation and gratification working as a financial aid administrator, which lead me to being involved in as many opportunities as a graduate aid professional as I can. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know our students and their journeys. It is inspiring to understand the sacrifice and passion that they have for the fields they study in and working with them constantly brings motivation for me to provide the best financial resources and advocacy for them as possible.
One of the complex objectives graduate aid professionals have is to connect young professionals with the financial knowledge they need to be successful. It is often challenging as regulations are constantly being subjected to change and the professional landscape is ever-evolving. However, I have learned through being a part of MASFAA, the MASFAA Leadership Academy and the Graduate and Professionals Concerns Committee that being an active participant and knowledge-seeker is the key to being the best advocates for out students in helping them navigate the challenging complexities of graduate aid and financial wellness.
As a member at large, my goal is to represent the graduate professionals in our association and to be a voice that shares our concerns and knowledge to better advocate for our success and impact as administrators.
Thank you for considering me for this role for our association. I am honored by the opportunity to serve each of you and our profession.
Member at Large- Associate Member
Julie Lawton
Member at Large- Associate Member
Statement of Candidacy:
Thank you for the opportunity to run for the MASFAA Member-at-Large Associate Member position. I have been an active member of the MASFAA Community since 1993 when I began my career in Financial Aid at Newbury College in Brookline, MA. I vividly remember attending my first MASFAA Conference and being in awe of the presenters, award recipients and entire MASFAA membership! Since that time, I have had the privilege of serving on several MASFAA Committees and eventually acting as the Co-Chair of the PD&T Committee for several years, and more recently Co-Chairing the Conference Committee from 2019 – 2023.
The Member-at-Large Associate Member position, offers an opportunity to work directly with our Associate Members and Business Partners, a role which I have enjoyed serving for EASFAA and currently for NHASFAA. In this role, I will act as an advocate for both MASFAA and the Business Partners that provide their support through best-in-class products, information sharing and financial contributions.
It would be an honor to serve MASFAA in this role, and I hope that you will considering placing your vote for me.