This quarter’s consultant spotlight is Jane Alessi Domenico, a financial aid consultant with HEAG for over 15 years.
How long have you been in financial aid?
I have been working in the financial aid industry for 28 years, back when FAFSA’s were completed manually and Pell Payments were manual “bubble sheets.” The financial aid industry has come a long way since then.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been married for 20 years and have 2 beautiful daughters who are 17 & 18. My oldest daughter, Gina will be moving away to College in the Fall to study Nursing. My youngest daughter, Marissa is hoping to study Psychology Fall 2016. It’s surreal being on the other side of the financial aid fence. Hopefully, I am one of the easier parents to work with.
What do you enjoy most about your current position at HEAG?
I truly love my job at HEAG. I feel I am able to bring the best practices from my previous assignments to add value to every new assignment. It’s always a unique learning experience at a new assignment as each institution has their own set of policy & procedures. I’ve also met some wonderful people along the way.
What makes HEAG unique or special compared to your work experiences elsewhere?
HEAG is 100% committed to maintaining institutional compliance. With this common goal, we work together as a tight knit team. My HEAG co-workers are experts in their fields and have a wealth of experience that we can all draw from when needed to complete a complicated assignment. I also find it refreshing to be on a first name basis with everyone in the company starting with Milton all the way down to our newest consultant.
Before working for HEAG, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Before getting into Financial Aid, I worked for a quasi-state agency called Mass Corp for Educational Telecommunication (MCET). MCET created “Mass LearnPike”, a satellite-based network funded in part by a Star Schools grant to “explore the use of distance-learning in K-12 schools.” The LearnPike used semi-interactive video to deliver educational content. Mass LearnPike program listings were made available on the MCET web site beginning in 1997.
When you’re not consulting, what kind of other hobbies/interests do you have?
At the end of a long day, there is nothing I enjoy more than relaxing with a good book. For me, it is the best way to decompress. I also enjoy spending time with my extended family enjoying one of our favorite card games.
What is something few people know about you?
Not many people know that I co-starred on a TV show called “Say Brother” when I was in the 4th grade. I auditioned for a role along with about 50 other kids and was cast. That experience was so much fun.