ABERDEEN, S.D. – Sharon Kienow, Northern State University director of financial aid, was awarded the Hall of Fame Award by the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA) at its annual conference in Wichita, Kan., on Oct. 17.

RMASFAA recognizes individuals who have provided voluntary service or made significant contributions toward the aims and ideals of the financial aid profession in the RMASFAA region. The Hall of Fame award, the highest award given by RMASFAA and, can be given to any person who has contributed significantly to the financial aid profession over a sustained period of years.

Kienow has spent over 30 years setting the example of volunteerism and service for financial aid. Outside of RMASFAA, she has also been an active member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the South Dakota Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SDASFAA). In addition to her leadership roles as president of both RMASFAA and SDASFAA, she has served on a variety of association committees.  She has been an instructor at the RMASFAA Summer Institute, a presenter at the South Dakota High School Counselors Workshop, a trainer at various conferences and workshops, and a mentor in the RMASFAA Leadership Pipeline Program.

“Being recognized by my colleagues is certainly an honor, but the most rewarding part of my job is helping students find the resources needed to achieve their higher education goals,” mentioned Kienow, who has worked at NSU for 37 years.

In her award nomination, Kienow’s colleagues praised her dedication to the financial aid profession: “Her willingness to serve, her commitment to helping others, her integrity to uphold the highest standards, all demonstrate that she is the example we should all strive to be. She is a very deserving recipient of the RMASFAA Hall of Fame Award. She has traveled both near and far to attend association meetings and conferences, yet has always been just a phone call away for a fellow director with a question. Her wealth of knowledge and depth of experience has been a constant resource for us – both in terms of financial aid processing as well as association management.”

About Northern State University

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