Mapping Your Future honored several team members during the 2008 Annual Conference in Massachusetts last week. Four volunteers received the Mapping Your Future Annual Award of Excellence and one volunteer received special recognition during the awards luncheon on April 24. Recognized for their contributions were: Marilyn Landrum, Missouri Department of Education Shawn Monk, American Student Assistance Greg Silva, Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority Mary Anne Whitman, Education Assistance Commission Tennille Manning Heier, Education Assistance Corporation

Marilyn Landrum of the Missouri Department of Education has been a volunteer for Mapping Your Future for several years, providing guidance on a number of projects and serving as the leader of the default prevention team. In addition, she has represented Mapping Your Future at several events, speaking about the services available to help students and families. Throughout the years, Marilyn has been a tireless volunteer, demonstrating a dedication that shows in all the work she does for Mapping Your Future, as well as the industry.

Shawn Monk of American Student Assistance brings a wealth of experience to his organization and Mapping Your Future, sharing his knowledge to help this national collaborative effort to serve students and families. His expert guidance on legal, security, project management, and leadership issues has contributed to the success of Mapping Your Future. Shawn serves on both the Steering Committee and Speakers Bureau, helping lead and promote Mapping Your Future to schools, students, and families.

Greg Silva of the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority is a valuable supporter and promoter of Mapping Your Future, currently serving as lead of the marketing and promotions team. As a member of the Steering Committee, he brings a level of excellence to everything he does for Mapping Your Future. Greg is truly committed to serving students and families and ensuring they are aware of the free services to help them succeed. With his leadership, more students and families are becoming aware of the public service available through Mapping Your Future.

Mary Anne Whitman of Education Assistance Commission uses her talents to help spread the word about Mapping Your Future’s free public service to benefit students and families and currently co-leads the Speakers Bureau. In her school relations role within her organization, she expertly tells the story of Mapping Your Future. Without Mary Anne’s commitment and hard work, many students and families would not be aware of the information and services available to them on Mapping Your Future.

Special Recognition

In addition to the Excellence Awards, Mapping Your Future sometimes recognizes others for their contributions and achievements. For 2008, we give thanks to Tenille Manning Heier of Education Assistance Corporation. Under her leadership, students, parents, counselors, and financial aid professionals now have a new “Mapping Your Future,” offering easier access to enhanced career, college, financial aid and money management information and services. Having served as the lead of the content team, Tenille did much of the planning, writing, and advising for the new website. Without her, this new design and new content would not have been possible.

Based in Round Rock, Texas, Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative, public-service organization of the financial aid industry - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide services online. Since 1996, Mapping Your Future has received a number of awards, including recognition for its excellence in content and innovation in technology services.

Mapping Your Future provides step-by-step instructions on career, college planning, and financial aid. In addition, the site offers financial literacy information and tools, and online customer service for schools and their students.

Related links

• Mapping Your Future