Greetings,

One of my strongest beliefs is that serving others is a great honor.  It is with deep humbleness that I accept the leadership role as the 2024-2025 WVASFAA President. I commend my predecessor, 2023-2024 President, Consuela Phillips, in leading the organization through a paradigm shift impacting stakeholders in higher education.  I only hope I can continue the leadership she has provided. It is with the assistance and dedication of a group of deeply devoted professionals that we can survive and advance, thus this year’s theme of, “Survivor: We Will Survive and Help the Students Survive the Changes” is appropriate. 

As we navigate through changes that continue to put forth future challenges within our industry, it is crucial for WVASFAA to be an essential resource for sharing best practices and staying updated on state and federal policies through intensive training sessions and sharing of best practices for our members and the institutions they serve. To date we have scheduled one in-person training session for directors in the fall and our annual conference in the spring. Both are aimed at enhancing our knowledge of financial aid, so I urge you to make the most of these opportunities.

But this is not all we hope to do for our industry. We would also like to provide stakeholders with additional opportunities, but we need to hear from you. Please, if you have ideas, reach out to any member of our leadership team and let us know what you would like to see provided from the organization and we will do our best to meet YOUR needs, whether it be other training sessions, professional development training, shared best practices, institutional or technical support or other items. Together, we can overcome the chaos of this past year and utilize the challenges of the future as steppingstones for a brighter future within the financial aid community.

In conclusion, while I am humbled to hold the title of President, I know that our strength lies in the sum of us all. I am eager to uphold the legacy of those who laid the foundation of this organization and welcome new members, as we embrace the future together. I am deeply appreciative to members of the Executive Committee for their unwavering support, guidance, and patience and know that without them and our members, we cannot overcome, adapt and change to meet the demands of tomorrow. I have come to know WVASFAA as a family instead of just a platform for professional development.

I invite you to join me at the Fall Directors Summit and the Spring Conference at the Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, West Virginia and encourage you to share your ideas, thoughts, and wishes for WVASFAA in the upcoming year.

Kindest regards,

Aaron Staats

2024-25 WVASFAA President