Dr. James Theeuwes

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Dr. James Theeuwes, Director of Student Financial Services, has been elected to serve as the At Large Representative for the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA). The At Large Sector Representative is one of four positions elected by the PASFAA membership. Dr. Theeuwes’ will serve in this capacity for two years, beginning 2010-2011.
As At Large Representative, Theeuwes will sit on both the PASFAA Executive Council and the PASFAA Membership Association and Governance Committee. Another primary duty will be working with PASFAA volunteers.
Theeuwes has been involved with the PASFAA organization for many years, working primarily with the training group. He has done numerous PASFAA conference presentations on topics ranging from listening skills to enrollment management. He is currently serving his third year on the Don Raley Training Committee, which develops and conducts annual training for new financial aid administrators. Theeuwes has been an instructor for this training, formally known as the Don Raley Institute, for the past few years.
Theeuwes and other newly-elected officials will be installed at this fall’s annual PASFAA conference in Lancaster, Pa. While at the conference, Theeuwes will present a conference session entitled “Retention – Why?” His presentation examines retention in higher education from both a historical and economic viewpoint. Reasons for retention and attrition will be examined, and best practices in retention will be discussed.
Theeuwes is also an active participant in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and is currently serving on NASFAA’s Research Committee. The Research Committee promotes and facilitates student aid research, identifies opportunities for aid administrators interested in conducting research, conducts and coordinates research on the status of the student aid profession, promotes the publications and use of research results, and interacts with other NASFAA committees and other professional organizations on research topics of mutual interest.
As part of the Research Committee, Theeuwes presented at the annual NASFAA Conference held in Denver in July 2010. His topic was “Financial Aid Research: What it means to you – Practical Examples of Using Research in the Financial Aid Office.” He was also a co-presenter of another session with Mr. Eric Addington, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Augsburg College. The topic of that presentation was “The Annual Financial Aid Report: What is it and do you need one?”
The Student Financial Services (SFS) Office at Lock Haven University combines the functions of student accounts and financial aid, providing LHU students with a ‘one stop shop’ for student finances. The team members of SFS strive to provide excellent service to students and families in following areas: financial aid; student and parent loans; VA education benefits; billing; refunds; and financial counseling. The overall mission is to support the University’s goal of attracting and retaining quality students. Through creativity, productivity, efficiency, and accuracy, SFS endeavors to be looked upon by our many stakeholders as fundamental to the success of our students and, ultimately, the university.