By Jeff Murphy,
August 10, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – A vital appointment in the University of Central Missouri’s efforts
to make education accessible and affordable for students, UCM has named Wichita, Kan.,
resident Tony Lubbers Director of Financial Aid.
Lubbers begins his new duties at UCM Sept. 18, bringing with him more than 20 years
of experience in higher education student financial aid. This includes positions beginning
in 1996 as Financial Aid Representative, followed by appointments as Assistant Director,
Interim Director and Director of Financial Aid, all at Friends University in Wichita.
As UCM’s Director of Financial Aid, Lubbers will report directly to Vice Provost for
Enrollment Management Mike Godard and will have vast duties related to overall leadership
and guidance regarding federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. He
will develop and implement financial aid policies and procedures that support the
university’s mission and maintain regulatory compliance while also managing the day-to-day
activities of departmental supervisory staff and employees that help support UCM’s
enrollment and retention efforts through financial aid.
Mike Godard announced Lubbers’ appointment, noting, “We are excited to have Tony Lubbers
join our team at UCM. I have no doubt that Tony’s experiences in financial aid will
have a positive impact on UCM’s continued efforts to provide access and affordability
for our students. Tony has a comprehensive understanding of the important role that
financial aid has on student persistence and retention to ensure that they remain
on a path of success to earn their degrees.”
‘My wife (Shawn) and I are excited for this new chapter in our lives because of the
many good things I've heard about UCM and the great people I have met on campus and
within Warrensburg. I especially like the friendly atmosphere within the Enrollment
Management division as well as the Financial Aid Office and I look forward to the
opportunity of being a part of, and contributing to, such a great team,” Lubbers said.
Among his many achievements in his director’s role at Friends University, Lubbers
processed more than $450 million in Stafford loan proceeds over a 16-year period.
He also wrote the policy and procedures manual for the Financial Aid Office.
Lubbers’ career in education also includes serving as history instructor at Friends
University since 1999. He also has served as an instructor at Baker University and
Newman University, both in Wichita, and as an adjunct instructor and admissions counselor
for Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kan.
Lubbers is a graduate of Wichita State University, having earned Bachelor of Arts
and Master of Arts degrees in history. He obtained an Associate of Arts degree from
Cowley County Community College.
Throughout his career, he has been active in a number of organizations that help advance
the higher education financial aid profession and contribute to professional development.
This includes the Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in which
he is a past president, Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
in which he is a past vice president, National Association of Student Financial Aid
Administrators, and Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.
