Candidate for Representative-at-Large

MELISSA J BARNES

Statement of Candidacy
I currently serve as the Associate Director of Financial Aid at Norfolk State University. Of my nearly 25 years in higher education, 18 years have been in the area of Student Financial Aid.

I have been a member of VASFAA for nearly 18 years, and during that time, I have served on the Membership Committee and assisted with Financial Aid Awareness Week initiatives.

Professionally, I have served on various committees at Norfolk State to include: First View, New Student Orientation, NSU Family Weekend, Domicile Appeals and Enrollment Management Team Charter.

I currently serve as the Eastern Regional Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as Advisor for Zeta Gamma Chapter at NSU, and as a member of the Estherine J. Harding Endowed Scholarship Committee. I have served on Board of Directors for the American Lung Association and American Diabetes Association of South Hampton Roads.

If elected as a Representative-at-Large for VASFAA, I will bring knowledge of financial aid and financial aid awareness as well as knowledge of conference planning.

Platform
“If elected as a Representative-at-Large, I would love to focus on Financial Aid Awareness. I am currently serving on a team of colleagues at NSU working on Financial Aid Awareness Week; and the experience and the thrill of working on such a worthwhile effort is exciting, has a purpose and reaps rewards. It is exciting to see colleagues working together for a common cause. It has a purpose of bringing awareness of educating students, parents and constituents of the financial aid application processing and eligibility. It reaps rewards in getting students to apply early and not waiting and having to stand in lines. If elected, I would love to serve on the Board and help make decisions that will assist the financial aid arena on 'financial aid awareness' and other areas that serve our population."