MAFAA is grateful for the contributions made by it's members and constituents. As such, MAFAA recognizes significant achievements each year at the spring conference.

MAFAA Presidents

President's Award

Distinguished Service Award

Executive Council Award

Special Recognition Award

Special Achievement Award

Outstanding New Professional Award

Ginny Dodds Lifetime Achievement Award

MASFAA and NASFAA Awards

The President's Award is presented to the MAFAA member who enabled the president to effectively perform the duties of the association president. Support provided could include clerical activities, special projects, or special committee assignments that benefit the association. The MAFAA president selects the winner.

2027			2026			2025	Jennifer Swanson
2024	Michael Crider		2023	Conference Planning Committee		2022	Membership Committee
2021	Ben Flikeid		2020	Katie Hendrickson		2019	Carly Eichhorst
2018	Lois Larson		2017	Bridget Johnson		2016	Jacquelynn Mol Sletten
2015	Rachel Lykken		2014	Katie Hendrickson		2013	LuGail Hamel
2012	Paul Haugen		2011	Metro State Univ. Finaid Staff		2010	Nichole Lien
2009	Tina Kurowski		2008	Lois Larson		2007	Emily Dowdle, Lynn Mens, Ellen McCullough
2006	Marcia Hubner, Jessical Sidla, Ellen McCullough		2005	Dick Battig		2004	Carol Dockendorf
2003	Chad Nosbusch		2002	Karen Kraft		2001	Lynette Wahl
2000	Jim Stiner		1999	Jane Williams		1998	Patricia Klicka
1997	Patricia Fischer		1996	Cal Johnson		1995	Carolyn Zehren
1994	Patty Hollycross, Karen Knighton, Daniel C Nelson		1993	Kay Grabarkewitz		1992	Linda Lindseth
1991	Christine Heiting		1990	Christopher Halling		1989	Daniel C. Nelson
1988	Reed Carpenter		1987	Sharon Harris		1986	Shirley Buerkle
1985	Paul G. Aasen		1984	Patty Holycross		1983	Mary Hershberger

Distinguished Service Award 

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a MAFAA member whose years of service and distinguished contributions to MAFAA over time furthered the mission of MAFAA and warrant recognition by the Association. Nominations are sought from MAFAA members. A committee, comprised of the past five Distinguished Service Award recipients and chaired by the most recent recipient, reviews the contributions of nominees and selects the recipient.

2026			2025	Bridget Johnson		2024	Ben Flikeid		2023	Lindsay Adams Kagol
2022	Katie Hendrickson		2021	Lois Larson		2020	Gayle Yamry		2019	Sandra Goman
2018	Pam Engebretson		2017	Doug Minter		2016	Valerie Knopp		2015	Mike Uran
2014	N/A		2013	David Vikander		2012	Jeff Olson		2011	Jayne Dinse
2010	Bill Silva-Breen		2009	Anne Dahlen		2008	Carol Dockendorf		2007	John Pogue
2006	David Dahlen		2005	Susan Brady		2004	JoAnn Haynes		2003	Kay Rindal
2002	Karen Kraft		2001	Robert Kruger		2000	Jane Williams		1999	Karen Knighton
1998	Cal Johnson		1997	Diane Borchardt		1996	Kay Grabarkewitz		1991	Dianne Danov
1990	Michael White		1989	Frank Loncorich		1988	Gary Ness		1987	Patty Holycross
1986	Paul G. Aasen		1985	Allen Rasmussen		1984	Donald L. Johnson		1983	Jon A. Griepentrog
1982	Sister Anne Elise Tshida		1981	Richard D. Battig		1980	Robert Matuska		1979	Robert Frazey

Executive Council Award

The Executive Council Award is presented to a MAFAA committee whose exemplary performance served MAFAA in good stead the past year. Contributions benefiting the association, the financial aid community and constituents are evaluated. The MAFAA Executive Council selects the winner.

2025	Elections and Nominations committee, chaired by Amanda Cantú
2023	Professional Development committee, chaired by Monica Ehalt and Nichole Andersen
2022	Conference Planning committee, chaired by Kris Parker
2021	Outreach & Early Awareness committee, chaired by Michael Crider
2020	Professional Development committee, chaired by Anita Ostercamp & Monica Ehalt
2019	Legislative Task Force committee, chaired by Mike Barnaby & Mike Uran
2018	50th Anniversary Task Force committee, chaired by Lindsay Adams & Jacquelynn Mol Sletten
2017	Outreach & Early Awareness committee, chaired by Oana Zayic & Borr Vang
2016	Newsletter, Carol Swenson
2015	Conference Planning committee, chaired by Lindsay Adams & Bailey Staben
2014	Professional Development committee, chaired by Rachel Lykken & Jacquelynn Mol
2013	Web Development committee, chaired by Jesus Hernandez-Mejia & Bailey Staben
2012	Policy & Procedures Review Task Force committee, chaired by Jeff Olson
2011	Financial Planning Review work group, chaired by Stuart Perry
2010	Leadership committee, chaired by Jayne Dinse
2009	Review of the Financial Aid Profession Task Force committee, chaired by Jeff Olson
2008	Conference Planning committee, chaired by Michelle Ahrendt & Nichole Lien
2007	Diversity task force, chaired by Debbie Velasco Leadership committee, chaired by David Vikander
2006	Corporate Support committee, chaired by David Dahlen Professional Development committee, chaired by Scott Roelke
2005	Early Awareness committee, chaired by Susan Prater
2004	Corporate Support committee, chaired by David Dahlen
2003	Government Issues committee, chaired by Pam Engebretson
2002	Development committee, chaired by Richard Blatchley
2001	Professional Development committee, chaired by JoAnn Haynes
2000	Public Relations committee, chaired by Chad Nosbusch
1999	Government Issues committee, chaired by Paul Aasen & Susan Brady
1997	Professional Development committee, chaired by David Dahlen
1996	Public Relations committee, chaired by Carol Swenson
1995	Professional Development committee, chaired by Jeannette Maynard
1994	Association Services committee, chaired by Kay Grabarkewitz
1993	Government Issues committee, chaired by Jim Schmidt
1992	Conference Planning committee, chaired by Barbara Kowal
1991	Newsletter committee, chaired by Kay Rindal
1990	Budget and Finance committee, chaired by Michael White
1989	Federal Legislative committee, chaired by Larry Sonnek
1988	Archives committee, chaired by Herald Johnson
1987	Professional Development committee, chaired by Jane Williams
1986	Public Relations committee, chaired by Robert Misenko

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Special Recognition Award

The Special Recognition Award is presented to a person affiliated with the financial aid community other than a practicing financial aid administrator, who has consistently provided outstanding service to MAFAA in recent years. The fact that this award is not presented annually underscores it significance. The MAFAA Executive Council selects the recipient.

2023	Carol Swenson, Ascendium Education
2019	Jacquelynn Mol Sletten, Minnesota Office of Higher Education
2018	Diane Borchardt, Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
2016	Jana Vanderah, Wells Fargo
2015	Sara Edwards, Inceptia
2014	Marilyn Kosir, Minnesota Office of Higher Education
2013	Baker Tilly Virchow & Krause LLP
2011	Cheryl Maplethrope, Globe University Brad Riebel, U.S. Bank
2010	Diane Borchardt, Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
2009	Jessica Sidla, CitiBank
2008	LuGail Hamel, TCF Bank
2007	Ken Wallace, Education Assistance Corporation
2006	Ann Scott, Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
2005	Carol Swenson, Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
2004	Richard Battig, Academic Funding Group
2003	Joe Aitken, Minnesota Indian Scholarship Programs
2002	Clark Wold, Education Assistance Corporation
2001	Ginny Dodds, MHESO
2000	Jamie Malone, U.S. Department of Education, Region V
1999	Tom Hansen, Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation
1997	State Representative Lyndon Carlson
1996	Jan Borra, MAFAA List Serv Developer State Representative Gene Pelowski
1995	Congressman Tim Penny State Senator Steve Murphy
1994	Kurtis Kindschi, American College Testing
1991	Richard Leighninger, MHECB
1989	Dan Reyelts, TCF Bank
1988	William Howie, Higher Education Assistance Foundation
1984	Milt Hilary, American College Testing
1983	Martin Jagodensky, Higher Education Assistance Foundation
1994	Association Services committee, chaired by Kay Grabarkewitz
1993	Government Issues committee, chaired by Jim Schmidt
1992	Conference Planning committee, chaired by Barbara Kowal
1991	Newsletter committee, chaired by Kay Rindal
1990	Budget and Finance committee, chaired by Michael White
1989	Federal Legislative committee, chaired by Larry Sonnek
1988	Archives committee, chaired by Herald Johnson
1987	Professional Development committee, chaired by Jane Williams
1986	Public Relations committee, chaired by Robert Misenko

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The Special Achievement Award is presented to a person, committee, task force or other entity that has made a significant contribution to the financial aid profession in Minnesota. The fact that this award is not presented annually underscores its significance. The MAFAA Executive Council selects the recipient.

2025	Susan Ant, Normandale Community College
2024	Molly Flesher-Sanderson, University of St. Thomas
2023	Dave Sutherland, Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
2021	Conference Planning Committee, chaired by Brynn Juranek
2020	Brittany Tweed, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
2019	Bridgette Johnson, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
2018	Web Redesign Task Force, chaired by Ben Flikeid, Andy Levesque & Jesus Hernandez-Mejia
2017	Carolyn Zehren, Minnesota State University of Moorhead
2016	PPY Task Force, chaired by Richard Blatchley, University of Northwestern
2015	Ginny Dodds, Minnesota Office of Higher Education
2013	Shannon O'Brien, Minneapolis Community & Technical College Jeff Olson, Bethel University
2012	Jane Williams, Concordia College Katherine Ruby, St. Olaf College
2011	Cappy Breuer, Normandale Community College
2010	John Pogue, Inver Hills Community College
2009	David Vikander, Southwest Minnesota State University
2008	Corporate Support Committee, chaired by Jayne Dinse, South Central College
2007	Frank Loncorich, St. Cloud State Patty Holycross, Itasca Community College
2006	College Goal Sunday Task Force, Judy Swanson, Chair
2005	John Gust, St. Cloud State
2004	Fin Aid / Admissions Relations Task Force, Lu Gail Hamel, Chair
2003	Financial Structure Task Force, John Pogue, Chair
2002	Futures Committee, Patty Holycross, Chair
2001	Early Awareness Task Force, Brad Riebel & Sandy Sundstrom, Co-Chairs Technology Task Force, Tim Lehmann, Chair
2000	Barb Fahnhorst, Membership Coordinator
1998	Technology Task Force, Nate Emerson, Chair Distance Learning Task Force, Fran VanSlyke-Zeslofsky, Chair
1995	Leadership Symposium Development Team, Jim Schmidt, Chair
1994	Shared Responsibility Task Force, Daniel C. Nelson & Chris Halling, Co-Chairs
1992	Kennon Rothchild, Northstar Guarantee Inc
1991	Student Loan Task Force, Dianne Danov, Chair
1988	William Howie, Higher Education Assistance Foundation
1984	Milt Hilary, American College Testing
1983	Martin Jagodensky, Higher Education Assistance Foundation
1994	Association Services committee, chaired by Kay Grabarkewitz
1993	Government Issues committee, chaired by Jim Schmidt
1992	Conference Planning committee, chaired by Barbara Kowal
1991	Newsletter committee, chaired by Kay Rindal
1990	Budget and Finance committee, chaired by Michael White
1989	Federal Legislative committee, chaired by Larry Sonnek
1988	Archives committee, chaired by Herald Johnson
1987	Professional Development committee, chaired by Jane Williams
1986	Public Relations committee, chaired by Robert Misenko

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Outstanding New Professional Award

The recipient of this award must have made outstanding contributions to his/her institution, the financial aid profession, and the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators. The criteria are based on significant contributions over a period of time and are not typically given for a single contribution. The recipient must hold regular membership in MAFAA and have been in the financial aid profession for less than 5 years. The MAFAA Executive Council selects the recipient.

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Ginny Dodds Lifetime Achievement Award

The Ginny Dodds Lifetime achievement award is MAFAA’s most prestigious awards. It is presented to a MAFAA member whose has a lifetime of continuous contributions and support of financial aid for the students of Minnesota through advocacy, the ethical administration of financial aid programs, and for service to the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators association.

2025	Carol Swenson, Ascendium Education
2024	Ben Flikeid
2023	Brad Riebel, Sallie Mae
2022	Dick Battig, Model College of Hair Design
2021	David Vikander, Southwest Minnesota State University
2020	Dick Battig, Model College of Hair Design
2019	David Dahlen, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
2016	Ginny Dodds, Minnesota Office of Higher Education

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