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SUNY Canton's financial aid director honored at conference

Posted 11/24/10

CANTON -- SUNY Canton's director of financial aid was recently honored for her commitment and outstanding efforts in area high schools. Kerrie L. Cooper, Madrid, was awarded the New York State …

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SUNY Canton's financial aid director honored at conference

Posted

CANTON -- SUNY Canton's director of financial aid was recently honored for her commitment and outstanding efforts in area high schools.

Kerrie L. Cooper, Madrid, was awarded the New York State Financial Aid Administrators' Association (NYSFAAA) Region 8 Service Award at their annual conference banquet on Oct. 20 in Buffalo.

"Kerrie has done so much for our financial aid office," said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. "During the busier times of the year, Kerrie is in her office late at night making sure e-mails are responded to and questions are answered. We are extremely lucky to have her as a member of our campus community."

Cooper has contributed many years of regional service to Region 8, and at one point served as an executive council representative and as the regional chair. "Kerrie presents numerous financial aid night programs for many North Country high schools every year and always helps out with the annual guidance counselor training event," the nominating committee said. "She is always willing to help a student with an aid issue or to offer guidance to a colleague with a regulation question. Her high level of professionalism and dedication are a tribute to Region 8."

Cooper said it's been a group effort in developing opportunities for financial aid nights for local high schools through the use of Distance Learning classrooms, arranged through BOCES.

"Our collaborative efforts have enabled me to present to 10 high schools in two nights," she said, explaining they are able to do so through teleconferencing. "It's allowed us to make sure the smaller schools also get financial aid updates each year. We are the only region in the state using this technology and it's been highly successful. We are very proud of that."

Cooper's financial aid career began as a work-study student. While a graduate student at the University of Albany, Cooper continued to assist in the financial aid office. She became a financial aid counselor at Monroe Community College before arriving at SUNY Canton in 1992 in her present role.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester.

The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction is now underway for the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center nicknamed Roos House, as well as the new apartment-style residence hall, featuring 305 single-occupancy rooms.