Awards

Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award are past or present AASFAA members whose contributions have had a significant influence upon the financial aid profession. The following individuals received this award due to having set high standards of excellence during their many years of service. They demonstrated a continued commitment to assisting students in achieving their goal of higher education, and have also demonstrated leadership characteristics through their willingness to share their expertise and ideas with colleagues.

  • 2022 - John Noah
  • 2021 - Kristen Cross
  • 2019- Tony Williams
  • 2018 - Lisa Hopper
  • 2017 - Becky Collins
  • 2013 - Julia Robinson
  • 2012 - Ronnie Nichols
  • 2011 - David Glover
  • 2010 - Rita Toland
  • 2009 - Jay Simpson
  • 2006 - Jo Holland
  • 2005 - Carlia Sproles Smith
  • 2004 - Nelda Branstine
  • 2001 - Vernon Eagan
  • 1998 - Sam Howell
  • 1997 - Gerald Craig
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following individuals are either current or past members of AASFAA who were honored for exceptional contributions to the association and/or the financial aid profession.

  • 2022 - Dr. Vicki Walker, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine - Arkansas
  • 2021 - Renee Bissell, Harding University
                Glenna Glenn, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
  • 2020 - Lisa Smith, Henderson State University
                 Lavonne Juhl, Arkansas Student Loan Authority
  • 2019 - Veronda Tatum, South Arkansas College
  • 2018 - Susan Hurst, Ouachita Baptist University
  • 2017 - Michelle Cordell, Northwest Arkansas Community College
                 Amy Neathery, Arkansas Student Loan Authority
  • 2016 - Jennifer Williams, Southern Arkansas University Tech
  • 2015 - Ginger Turner, Arkansas Student Loan Authority
  • 2014 - John Noah, Harding University
  • 2013 - Sheila McManus, University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College
  • 2012 - Allen Pixley, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
  • 2011 - Marilyn Campbell, Arkansas Student Loan Authority
  • 2010 - Becky Collins, Student Loan Guarantee Foundation of Arkansas
                Becky Hammett, University of Arkansas - Monticello
  • 2009 - Julia Robison, University of Central Arkansas
  • 2008 - Jackie Brubaker, ASU Mid-Douth
  • 2007 - Phil Axelroth, Arkansas Division of Higher Education
                 Lisa Hopper, National Park College
                 John Jefferson, South Arkansas College
                 Scott Medlin, Oklahoma Student Loan Authority
  • 2006 - Jennifer Ball, Arkansas Student Loan Authority
                Jana Hart, University of the Ozarks
                Jay Simpson, Harding University
  • 2005 - Herb Brubaker and Ed Schroeder
  • 2004 - Jeff Crawford and Bronwyn Sneed
  • 2003 - Joyce Johnson
  • 2002 - Dena Prior, Mike Smith and Nancy Kossler-Faucett
  • 2001 - Cari Wickliffe and Terry Finney
  • 2000 - Shirley Goines
  • 1999 - Judy Lassiter
  • 1998 - No recipient
  • 1997 - Rita Toland
  • 1996 - Karen Hulsey
  • 1995 - Sandy Richard
  • 1994 - Jim McClain and Ben Pickard
  • 1993 - Carlia Sproles and Harold Johnson
  • 1992 - Len Clark and Nelda Branstine
  • 1991 - Russell Showalter, Sam Howell, Harold Harris, Gerald Craig, and Wanda Wise

These individuals are current or past members of AASFAA who had five (5) years or less experience in Financial aid and who distinguished themselves at their institution and within the association.

  • 2023 - Jacob Bomarito, Harding University
  • 2022 - Mara Para, UACC - Morrilton
  • 2021 - Kim Stubbs, University of Central Arkansas
  • 2019 - Shannon Green, Southern Arkansas University Tech
  • 2018-  Michelle Doise
  • 2017-  Quinton Morgan, University of Arkansas - Monticello
  • 2016 - April Herring, Phillips County Community College - U of A
  • 2015 - Will Smith - University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff
  • 2014 - Leanne Johnson, Harding University
  • 2013 - Heather Ledbetter, University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College
  • 2012 - Bonnie Hartz, Student Loan Guarantee Foundation of Arkansas
  • 2011 - Amy Neathery, Arkansas Student Loan Authority
  • 2010 - Melissa Sisco
  • 2009 - Toni Carter, Phillip County Community College - U of A
  • 2008 - Ginny Meek
  • 2007 - Dustin Howell
  • 2006 - Lisa Vanoven-Griffin, Arkansas State University - Beebe
  • 2005 - Reesa Robinson
  • 2004 - Kristen Cross, University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville
  • 2003 - Lisa Hopper, National Park College
  • 2002 - Jay Simpson, Harding University
  • 2001 - Lavada Story, Harding University
  • 2000 - Vicki Taylor, Southern Arkansas University Tech
  • 1999 - John Noah, Harding University
  • 1998 - Gina Fox, Hendrix College