Ouachita’s Susan Hurst selected for position on U.S. Department of Education committee
February 07, 2019
- Rachel MorenoOuachita Baptist University’s Susan Hurst, associate vice president for Student Financial Services, recently was selected for the U.S. Department of Education’s Accreditation and Innovation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. She will represent financial aid administrators from 6,620 postsecondary institutions around the country.
“My role is to represent the financial aid community during the negotiated rulemaking sessions where I have the opportunity to advocate for students and institutions to ensure quality, affordable educations for the future and assess whether current policies are effectively serving students,” Hurst said. “My hope is to impact the discussion of proposed rules for the good of students and institutions. I also bring a unique perspective from years of service at a faith-based institution.”
Hurst serves as the primary negotiator and a voting member on the Accreditation and Innovation Committee, which will be collaborating on issues such as accreditor oversight and the accreditor recognition process, state authorization, distance education, education providers and faith-based mission protections. She was nominated for this position by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
In addition to the Accreditation and Innovation Committee, three subcommittees will make recommendations to the main committee: the Faith-Based Entities Subcommittee, TEACH Grants Subcommittee and the Distance Learning and Education Innovation Subcommittee.
Hurst and other members of the Department of Education’s committee met Jan. 15-16 in Washington, D.C., to negotiate and discuss potential changes to regulations for programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The committee will reconvene Feb. 19-22 before final negotiations and consensus voting begin March 25-28. The meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed.
Hurst has worked in Ouachita’s Student Financial Services office for 27 years and in various roles, including a financial aid counselor, associate director and director of Student Financial Services. She is a member of the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (AASFAA). Hurst also is the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the AASFAA, an award presented to those who have made exceptional contributions to the association and the financial aid profession. She was recognized for this honor in October 2018 at the AASFAA annual meeting in Hot Springs, Ark.
Additionally, Hurst has served as state president of AASFAA, represented four-year private institutions on the group’s executive council and chaired its mentor committee.
“At Ouachita, we know Susan as a leader who cares about our students, is committed to our Christian mission and excels in her field,” said Dr. Ben Sells, president of Ouachita. “It’s exciting to see her recognized by peers in Arkansas and at the national level. And, it’s another example of the excellent staff and faculty at Ouachita.”
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