Lesley Ann Buse

Conduct detailed financial analyses, prepare reports, and present findings to senior leadership and stakeholders to support data-driven decision-making and strategic planning. Develop, update, and enforce financial aid policies and procedures to align with institutional goals, regulatory changes, and best practices in financial aid administration.

Key Contributions & Accomplishments:

• Improved student aid packaging, reduced turnaround times by five months, and optimized resource allocation through batch processing.
• Streamlined federal student loan operations by expanding batch processing capabilities in line with Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) requirements.
• Within two years, achieved a reduction in staffing by two full-time employees at retirement through the transition of office operations away from manual processing to the use of the student management system.
• Streamlined financial aid processes resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy.
• Developed four new staff members through comprehensive training on financial aid applications, packaging, needs analysis, Pell Grants, and loan processing.
• Selected as a key member of theCampus Core Team for Ellucian SaaS Cloud implementation.
• Transitioned institutional loan applications from print to digital documentation.
• Analyzed financial aid data to identify trends, improving resource allocation for students in need.
• Mentored four junior staff on financial aid regulations, fostering a knowledgeable team dedicated to student success.
• Collaborated with academic departments to align financial aid offerings with institutional goals and student needs.
• Established effective communication channels between relevant parties involved in the distribution of funds, such as the Bursar's office, Admissions, and students.
• Reduced errors in financial aid applications through meticulous review and verification procedures, ensuring accurate awarding of funds.
• Managed budgets effectively, maximizing available resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• Conducted regular audits of financial aid data to identify discrepancies or inconsistencies, maintaining accuracy and compliance with federal and state regulations across all records.
• Assisted families in navigating complex application processes by providing clear guidance and prompt responses to questions or concerns.
• Oversaw timely disbursement of funds to qualified recipients through efficient tracking and processing systems.
• Provided financial aid counseling to enrolled and prospective students.
• Reviewed financial aid appeals, issuing secondary and final judgments on award packages.

Designed and delivered 8–10online undergraduate and graduate courses per semester, including a non-credit Spanish course by collaborating with cross-functional faculty and staff teams. Led course development initiatives by leveraging expertise in online pedagogy, precision in instructional design, and a deep understanding of educational needs.

Key Contributions & Accomplishments:

• Delivered comprehensive in-person and virtual training sessions to 12 subject matter experts from technical disciplines on effective utilization of newly implemented Learning Management System (LMS).
• Developed and implemented initial high school concurrent Engineering Prep Online Course Portfolio, which enhanced early access to engineering education.

• Secured buy-in from twelve seasoned staff for a one-stop student services model by communicating benefits and addressing concerns. Delivered targeted training sessions on federal and state financial aid regulations to the director, staff, and students. Devised new college financial aid policies and procedural guidelines to streamline processes and improve student success.

Key Contributions & Accomplishments:

• Trained advising and administrative staff on FAFSA procedures, SAP guidelines, state aid programs, and federal loan and Pell Grant eligibility to ensure comprehensive student support.
• Equipped advising staff with skills to navigate Canvas, the Learning Management System, which enhanced their ability to support students online.
• Attained National Financial Aid certifications through independent study and remained current on federal and state Title IV regulations to better assist students and families.
• Designed and instructed a three-credit online undergraduate course on college success as an Adjunct Instructor.

• Utilized my LMS expertise to diagnose and resolve technical issues with software applications. Led training sessions and workshops for faculty and staff on best practices for designing and managing online courses while integrating digital tools. Evaluated course content to ensure compliance with institutional standards and accessibility guidelines.
  
  **Key Contributions & Accomplishments:**
  
  - Received the College's Innovation Award for driving advancements in online course development during the transition to a new learning management system.
  - Launched the College's first mandatory three-credit online college success course, establishing a foundation for student success in virtual learning.
  - Collaborated with a team to create online and hybrid course content, earning the Innovation Award for transitioning to the new LMS and training faculty.
  - Recognized by the Student Services Department for designing and launching the school's first Online Orientation, enhancing the student onboarding experience.
  
  I am self-motivated with a strong sense of responsibility and a proven ability to quickly learn and adapt.Leveraged LMS expertise to diagnose and resolve technical issues with software applications. Conducted training sessions and workshops for all campus faculty and staff on best practices for designing, delivering, and managing online courses, including the use of digital tools and instructional technologies. Evaluated online course content to ensure compliance with institutional standards, accessibility guidelines, and accreditation requirements.

Key Contributions & Accomplishments:

• Received College's Innovation Award for advancement in online course development and instructional strategies during the transition to a new learning management system.
• Designed and instructed the College's first mandatory, three-credit online college success course and laid a foundation for student achievement in virtual learning environments.
• Partnered with a team of four to create online and hybrid course content; team earned the school's Innovation Award for transitioning courses to a new Learning Management System (LMS) and training faculty on new system utilization.
• Recognized by the Student Services Department with an individual award for designing and launching the school's first Online Orientation, enhancing the student onboarding experience.
• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.Utilized my LMS expertise to diagnose and resolve technical issues with software applications. Led training sessions and workshops for faculty and staff on best practices for designing and managing online courses while integrating digital tools. Evaluated course content to ensure compliance with institutional standards and accessibility guidelines.
  
  **Key Contributions & Accomplishments:**
  
  - Received the College's Innovation Award for driving advancements in online course development during the transition to a new learning management system.
  - Launched the College's first mandatory three-credit online college success course, establishing a foundation for student success in virtual learning.
  - Collaborated with a team to create online and hybrid course content, earning the Innovation Award for transitioning to the new LMS and training faculty.
  - Recognized by the Student Services Department for designing and launching the school's first Online Orientation, enhancing the student onboarding experience.
  
  I am self-motivated with a strong sense of responsibility and a proven ability to quickly learn and adapt.