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SFS finalist touts Michigan post

The second of three finalists vying for the vacant position of Student Financial Services Director at the University of Wisconsin, Al Hermsen, spoke to a handful of students and faculty members Thursday.

Hoping to procure a student response on issues surrounding financial aid, Hermsen addressed the attitudes and concerns of how the services are controlled on campus today and possible ways of improving them.

"So often the limited money is misdirected," he said. "Our biggest job is using money in positive ways."

In regard to his qualifications, Hermsen said he has been working with financial aid programs for 25 years, serving various leadership positions at the University of Michigan.

Hermsen, who holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA in finance, said he is active in state government.

Starting at Michigan in the business department, and later in the financial aid department, Hermsen said he enjoyed working in student finance because it gave him the opportunity to get to know the students on a much more personal level.

"I get to work with the numbers that I love to work with, but it allows me to work with students … which is very rewarding to me," Hermsen said. "[The position] allows me to mix the business into it, but gives me a chance to work with the mission of the university, which is educating students."

One way Hermsen proposed to maximize student aid was to look for new ways to divide the limited funding available from the university.

"Need-based awards are of my primary concern. It is our job to make school accessible," Hermsen said. "Using merit-based awards, we can attract top students and also recognize them for their accomplishments."

Hermsen said it is possible to put money aside to provide merit scholarships for underrepresented students and recognize the adversity with which they may struggle.

"Having this [money] available would bring in some diversity that this campus needs," he said.

Although Hermsen said he believes it is important to have a diverse student body, he added the university should not accommodate students that may have a lower probability of success at UW.

"You want to bring in the top [tier] of underrepresented students that could succeed," he said. "Don't just bring in underrepresented students just to bring them in."

Only two students and three faculty members attended the presentation.

"The office needs a change, and both of the candidates so far seem very qualified," UW senior and Student Financial Services employee Timothy Dieck said. "The accounting background helps a lot."

Dieck was the only student to attend the Tuesday presentation by Craig Munier, another finalist for the position.

Assistant Director of Student Financial Services Rollie Weeden said he's been very impressed with both candidates so far.

"This is a good situation for our campus," he said.