Speakers
Chris Long, President and Chief Operating Officer - Meritaid.com
"How to Tap Into $11 Billion in Merit Scholarships"
As President and Chief Operating Officer of the Cappex family of web sites, including MeritAid.com, Chris is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company including sales, marketing, product development and technology. Chris joined Cappex in June 2007 as vice president of product development where he was responsible for product strategy and feature development for Cappex's students, college admissions professionals, high school counselors and advertisers. Chris holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master's in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Dion Wheeler, Author - Sports Scholarship Insider’s Guide
"Money For The Student Athlete"
Dion Wheeler has a unique platform from which to present tonight’s title. He’s been involved in organized, competitive athletics since the 6th grade. He played on high school conference champion football teams and not so good high school basketball teams. Despite being a Chicago Tribune Football All Star, he was most heavily recruited in Track. He attended the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he was an NAIA All American in the 440 yd. dash & conference champion in the 440 yd. dash and 120 yd. High Hurdles. After college he coached sprinters & hurdlers on the high school and collegiate level while serving as adjunct faculty in Lewis University’s College of Education. While coaching more than two dozen All Americans and nine Division II National Champions, two of his athletes went on to compete in the Olympics. He is the author of the Sports Scholarship Insider’s Guide and is currently a National Collegiate Scout and Educational Speaker with the National Collegiate Scouting Association.
Kristen Scaletta, Programs Associate - Elks National Foundation
"Elks National Foundation Scholarships"
Kristen has lived in the Chicagoland area her whole life. She grew up in Blue Island, Illinois, and moved north to Evanston in 2003 to attend Northwestern University. She received a BA in English and Psychology and a minor in Spanish in 2007. Kristen worked as an Americorp*VISTA volunteer at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law before joining the Elks National Foundation as a Programs Relationship Associate in August 2008. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys running, reading and being outside in warm weather.
Kevin Ladd, Vice President - Scholarships.com
"The Scholarships.com Program"
Kevin Ladd has been helping students find scholarships and financial aid for over 10 years. Originally from the east coast, Kevin graduated from the University of Maine over 15 years ago. Kevin’s experience funding his own education influenced his participation in the creation of Scholarships.com, one of the most comprehensive, trusted and longest-running online resources for student financial aid. Kevin has been involved in the development of Scholarships.com from concept to the present day, while also developing and fostering relationships with high school and college counselors as well as scholarship providers.
Martha Savery, Director of External Relations - MEFA
"Finding Money: A Guide To Financial Aid"
Martha Savery, director of external relations, joined MEFA in 2006, where she oversees MEFA’s educational programs about saving and paying for college. Martha began her career in the admissions office at a private college and then moved into financial aid at both private and state colleges. She has also spent time as a bursar and registrar, and worked for ten years at two national student loan companies.
MSgt Duane Butler, Marketing NCO - Air National Guard
"Air Guard: Money For College"
MSgt Duane Butler joined the United States Air Force after graduating high school in January 1991. His initial career path was as an aircraft mechanic on the KC-135R in flight refueling plane where he excelled for 10 years. In 2001, he transitioned to a new career as an Enlisted Recruiter. During his 4 year tour, he helped over 60 individuals become Airmen and start new careers. After completing his tour as a recruiter for the Air Force, he became a recruiter for the Air National Guard. During that time MSgt Butler helped over 30 individuals become members of the Air Guard and many began using the educational benefits offered to them. Speaking with numerous Airmen upon their return from training, Airmen were quoted as saying “This was the best opportunity for me to continue college and serve my country at the same time. Thanks MSgt Butler!”
Adam Essex, U.S. Department of Education - Office of Federal Student Aid
"Funding Your Education: Expert Tips to Navigate the Process"
Adam Essex, a former Presidential Management Fellow, is a senior project manager with Federal Student Aid of the U.S. Department of Education. During his tenure with the Department, Adam has worked in the agency’s headquarters office in Washington, DC and a regional office in San Francisco, where he was responsible for helping to launch the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program on the west coast. He is the recipient of numerous agency achievement awards, including Federal Student Aid’s ‘Service Award’ and a Certificate of Distinction from former Secretary of Education Richard Riley. He holds a B.A. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and an M.P.A. from American University.
Dr. Armando Salas-Amaro, Spokesman - Florida Department Of Higher Education
"Let Your State Help Pay For College"
Dr. Salas-Amaro holds several nationally accredited degrees and has been in higher education for over 15 years. Currently, he works for the State of Florida at the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, OSFA. OSFA is a public state agency operating under the executive branch of state government and provides access to higher education by serving as the administrator of state grants, scholarships, and guarantor of low-cost federal student loans. Dr. Salas-Amaro is also faculty at the University of Phoenix and facilitates graduate business courses in Management, Marketing, and Leadership.
Dr. Salas-Amaro serves on several state and national boards such as the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) Continuing Education Committee, Mapping-Your-Future Steering Committee, and is an active member of the Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA), and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Patricia Christel, Spokeswoman - Sallie Mae
"How Much You'll Need & How To Plan For It"
Patricia Nash Christel is a spokeswoman for Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading saving, planning, and paying for college company. In this role, she helps families learn about smart strategies for making the investment in a higher education, including such tools as Sallie Mae’s free scholarship search and Education Investment Planner. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and business from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., and an MBA in marketing from University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business in College Park, Md. Since its founding in 1972, Sallie Mae has invested in more than 31 million people to help them realize their dreams of higher education. Through its subsidiaries, the company manages $192 billion in education loans and serves 10 million student and parent customers.
Ashley Munro & Adam Hatch, Financial Aid Officers - University of Alaska Fairbanks & Hawai'i Pacific University
"Ask A Financial Aid Officer"
Ashley Munro is a Financial Aid Advisor and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is the current president of the Alaska Association of Financial Aid Administrators (ALASFAA). Adam Hatch is Director of Financial Aid at Hawaii Pacific University. Adam has worked in Admissions and Financial Aid for over ten years between California and Hawaii. He is currently the President of the Pacific Financial Aid Association (PacFAA).