Pat Peppin receives Meritorious Achievement Award

MESA, Ariz. – Oct. 12, 2023 – Pat Peppin, student services director in the Mesa Community College (MCC) Financial Aid Department, is one of only two individuals nationwide to receive the prestigious Meritorious Achievement Award from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

The award, presented to Peppin in July, recognizes individuals who have made an important contribution to NASFAA or to the financial aid profession. To receive a Meritorious Achievement Award, the individual should have made either an important single contribution or significant multiple contributions to the association or the profession.

“It’s an honor to be recognized,” said Peppin, a long-time NASFAA member. “Our Financial Aid Department is committed to eliminating the cost barriers to education with resources and services so our students can reach their academic goals.” She further noted that every staff member in the department is focused on making the process as streamlined as possible for students.

According to NASFAA, Peppin was recognized because she is “an incredibly dedicated and motivating leader – her career in financial aid has been one of service and advocacy, and building others up for success.” Peppin has served the Arizona Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (AASFAA) as a multiple term president, regional president, and a member on numerous committees. During her second term as the Arizona association president, she led a task force for the automation of the Tribal Funding Application process for Native American tribes and schools across the state.

Peppin also led AASFAA in hosting its first virtual conference and invited colleagues from the Pacific Financial Aid Association (PacFAA) to attend when its members were unable to host their own meeting at the time. PacFAA is a non-profit organization providing support to financial aid administrators and agencies that administer financial aid programs in postsecondary educational institutions across the Pacific. Her work garnered AASFAA the NASFAA Gold Star award in 2006.

The MCC Financial Aid Department assists students in securing financial aid from federal, state and educational institutions, as well as private agencies (foundations) and can be awarded in the forms of grants, education loans, work-study and scholarships. For more information, visit
mesacc.edu/financial-aid).

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. Host to more than 24,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. MCC is transforming student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution. Nearly 50% of MCC students are the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The American Indian Institute serves students from 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes and out-of-state tribes. Our diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.