Diversity
Diversity is something we face everyday in financial Aid . We have an advantage in this area because while we are gathering facts about our students trying to get the maximum amount of student aid we can learn a lot about our students. I always try to assume nothing and never prejudge anyone.
Jeffery,
You are very right. You never know where someone has come from or what they have been through in life until you sit down and talk with them. All of our students have very different needs and goals in their lives and we have to help them get to where they would like to be. People will notice when you have taken the time to listen and learn about them and leave feeling like they were understood. Everyone wants to be heard.
Cheryl Kesson
You make an important point. Understanding our student body helps us tailor presentations and FA counseling, even office hours, to the needs of our students. We look for ways to avoid making assumptions in our communications, for example referencing “parents†when we know that families can take many forms. Likewise, if financial aid personnel are only available in-person and from 9-5, they miss the opportunity to connect with students who have full time jobs or cannot come to campus easily.
