ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi │ One learns from many sources │ A web publication from the Office of the Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Munekata says: “Meeting people and sharing ideas I think is one of the best ways to enhance our knowledge and improve our understanding in the field of financial aid.”
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo was represented well at the 2015 Sister Dale Brown Summer Institute held in June in Tacoma, Washington. Nani Munekata, an office assistant in the UH Hilo financial aid office, attended the six-day event on a scholarship.
“So proud of Nani for applying for and winning a scholarship to attend the WASFAA Summer Institute,” says Sherrie Padilla, director of the UH Hilo Office of Financial Aid.
Munekata wrote a column about her experience in the institute’s summer newsletter (pg. 15), republished here with permission:
As a new WASFAA member, I would first like to express my appreciation in being selected to receive the Marianna Deeken Scholarship to attend the 2015 WASFAA Sister Dale Brown Summer Institute in Tacoma, Washington. My journey in financial aid started in 2008 as a student worker, and my inter- est in the field has only grown since then. I wanted to attend the SDBSI to broaden my knowledge in financial aid fundamentals and to get a better understanding of the ever-changing federal rules and regulations.
Pulling up to the South Hall Residence at Pacifi Lutheran University, I felt anxious, nervous and excited. Being that this was my first WASFAA event, I think my nerves were prevalent that first day because I wasn’t sure what to expect. As I approached the check-in area, I was greeted by several happy faces (Laura Hughes, Kay Soltis, Nichole Doering, just to name a few) which made me feel welcomed and at ease. The nerves gradually went away after that.
The conference was held on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University.
I had the opportunity to explore the beautiful campus of PLU and I loved the architectural design of the buildings and the lush plants that surrounded them. I can’t say that I was super excited to be staying in the dorms, but I can say that it turned out to be quite an enjoyable experience. Just think: When do you have the opportunity to relive the college dorm lifestyle? I thought of it as a fun adventure and defi made the most of it.
The week long training consisted of large group lectures and small group discussions. We would start each morning with our small groups and discuss in greater detail the topics that were learned the day prior. We had a good mixture of people in our small group, all with differing levels of experience in financial aid. It was relevant that we were there to not only learn from the faculty, but also from each other. My group was led by Abril Hunt, senior financial literacy trainer with the Education Credit Management Corporation. I want to thank Abril for sharing her wide-range of financial aid knowledge and for really encouraging us to ask questions. You were awesome, Abril!
Along with the training, this conference provided the opportunity to network with other financial aid administrators. Meeting people and sharing ideas I think is one of the best ways to enhance our knowledge and improve our understanding in the field of financial aid. I was able to connect with some familiar faces as well as some new ones. It was nice getting to know my peers and to see the passion we all share for student financial aid. From the start of college to graduation, we, as financial aid administrators, are there through it all. I think this is what makes our roles not only important in higher education, but even more important in the lives of our students.
Overall, I feel like I am ready for this new year to come and am certain that the knowledge gained during this conference will not only benefit our students but also our university. I want to express my gratitude once again to WASFAA for the scholarship opportunity, and also to the faculty that participated in the SDBSI. I am extremely grateful for the experience, and I look forward to attending more WASFAA events in the future.
About the writer of this story: Susan Enright is a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
