É«ÀÇÉçÇø

Bonding over a shared appreciation for Elvis Presley and ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) senior vice president Jeff Hand and new hire in the financial aid office Matt Gundersen sat down to discuss what's new in the Division of Student Affairs. 

As a recent graduate himself, Matt asked Jeff how Division employees could impact the student experience. Jeff noted that students' touch points with our Division range from the fun (É«ÀÇÉçÇø After Hours) to disciplinary (Community Standards violations.) As such, we see our students during their most vulnerable points - during their happiest times and their most frustrated. Focusing on a customer service approach will make these touch points smoother for our students. 

When asked if he has a particular initiative that he's most proud of, Jeff responded that he is most proud to have increased scholarship opportunities for our students, making a É«ÀÇÉçÇø education more accessible and more affordable. "Holistically, again, how do we offer a quality experience for our students?" he says. Our employees, he remarked, have the opportunity to offer that quality experience through customer service, getting students situated with their class schedule, housing, financial aid and much more. 

Discussing financial aid and how students choose where to complete their higher education, both Jeff and Matt wished that students and their parents better understood the big picture. A private institution offering a $20,000 scholarship, but still leaving the family with a $30,000+ bill for the year, is not the most financially advantageous decision for the family. But, they both remarked, families see, "$20,000 scholarship" and are blinded to the reality of their final bill. While É«ÀÇÉçÇø may offer smaller scholarships, our focus on keeping tuition lower ultimately leaves students and their families with a smaller tuition bill, a lower student loan payment and a leg-up on their financial life, post-graduation.