Two of Three Financial Aid Awards Given to Washburn Professionals

    Topeka, Kan. – Two Washburn University professionals are being celebrated for their care and expertise when helping college students navigate the financial aid process. The Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA) gave awards to Darcy Johnson and Ginger McBride at its annual meeting in Manhattan, Kan., earlier this month. 

    Johnson, assistant director of financial aid for compliance at Washburn, was inducted into the KASFAA Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes her leadership as the KASFAA president during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, her ongoing commitment to training and mentoring financial aid professionals across the region and for her role as a regional and national voice in solving the rollout of FAFSA simplification.

    “Darcy is a tireless advocate for students, always seeking to ensure they are treated fairly in the often-byzantine world of financial aid,” said Dr. Alan Bearman, vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success, Washburn. “Washburn is fortunate to have someone of Darcy’s caliber on our team.”

    KASFAA also honored McBride, a financial aid advisor at Washburn, with its Rising Star Award. This honor recognizes an individual with fewer than five years of experience in KASFAA who shows promise for future contributions to the association.

    “Ginger’s natural leadership ability shines in the role as co-chair of the KASFAA Outreach Training Committee,” said Bearman. “Ginger’s patience and work to help students and their families navigate Financial Aid is always impressive and appreciated by those being helped and by colleagues across campus.

    “Washburn professionals received two of the three annual awards this spring. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the recognition of their outstanding work,” Bearman said.

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