HESC Insider Spotlight: William Cheetham
Michael Williams
HESC is proud to shine the spotlight on the incoming president of the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA), William (Bill) Cheetham. Bill will assume his new responsibilities as EASFAA president at the 2007 EASFAA Conference in Niagara Falls.
Bill’s career in the financial aid field started in January 1982. His unique start in the profession began while he was completing graduate work at the State University of New York at Cortland, where he also received his bachelors degree in education.
After funding for his graduate assistantship ceased because of a state fiscal crisis, Bill was given one day to accept a position as a loan counselor in the school’s financial aid office. He did accept and found himself enjoying the summer of 1982, and many summers since, signing student loan applications.
Bill is the director of financial aid at Le Moyne College and a past president of the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA). Before becoming NYSFAAA president, Bill served two terms as Region III representative to the Executive Council and one term as Executive Council Secretary.
Bill’s colleagues may not be aware that his term as NYSFAAA president was distinguished by his contribution and testimony to the Commission on New York State Financial Aid. In addition to chairing two NYSFAAA strategic planning committees, Bill has also participated in various statewide committees and HESC focus groups which resulted in enhanced HESC products and services.
Bill is an avid sports fan and an enthusiastic supporter of youth sports. He has coached t-ball, baseball, softball, basketball and has been the assistant coach of a state championship soccer team. He is also a licensed high school and college soccer referee, which helps when he is working with disgruntled students and parents.
HESC would like to extend our best wishes to Bill Cheetham as he accepts the reins as EASFAA president at the annual conference in May 2007.