Take 5 With Marie Williams, Director of Financial Aid

During her 10 years with Columbia Southern University, Marie Williams has served in many different roles. In her current role as the university’s financial aid director, Marie and her team help eligible students receive financial aid.

As the director, she works with other departments to maintain operations and institutional compliance. A member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, she also serves as the primary advisor to the university on trends, procedures and regulations governing federal student aid.

We asked Marie to share more about herself and what she loves most about her career:

1. What do you enjoy most about your job? Working alongside my team. They are a group that is dedicated to helping students receive the financial assistance needed to reach their educational goals. I am a better person because I get to work with them.

2. What do you do in your spare time? My husband and two children keep our family busy with school, sports and other extracurricular activities. I enjoy cooking and baking when life slows down. I love to have my husband’s family over for game night. We eat and play Euchre or Phase 10 well into the night. Good times.

3. Give three words to describe yourself: Loyal. Determined. Caring.

4. What is your favorite CSU memory or moment? It is hard to pick just one. Helping launch the redesigned student portal is one of my favorites. I had the opportunity to work as a project manager alongside CSU’s software development team during the redesign. It was such a cool experience to see the dedication to meeting our student’s needs in the creation of the new student portal. I learned so much through that project and will never forget the friendships fostered.

5. Considering your job, what advice would you give to a CSU student? Connect with your loan servicer. Don’t discard the information he/she sends you. Just as our department is here to assist in funding your education, they are there to assist as you repay your loans. There are many repayment plans available. Contact your servicer to discuss what option is best for you. You should know how much you have borrowed.