For many student employees, a campus job is a way to earn income while pursuing a degree. In UMBC's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS), it is an intentionally designed learning experience.

 
New student employees complete a five-week onboarding process that combines online learning, shadowing and reverse-shadowing experiences, office resources and hands-on practice. The approach is intentionally scaffolded, allowing students to gradually build knowledge while gaining confidence in supporting students and families navigating the financial aid process. The learning does not stop there. Student employees participate in regular check-ins and professional development activities, including monthly refresher trainings designed to reinforce concepts, encourage reflection and create opportunities for growth.

A conversation with Meaghan Walker, financial aid services coordinator, revealed the thinking behind this approach to student employment.

For Meaghan, whose background is in secondary education, student employment is an extension of teaching. Student employees serve as the first point of contact for many visitors, making them the face of the office and an important part of the student experience. Meaghan focuses on helping students understand professional workplace expectations while creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and growing through challenges.

"We want students to leave with skills they can carry into any professional environment," Walker said. 

That approach requires paying attention to individual needs. After noticing a student employee struggling to retain information, Meaghan initiated a conversation that the student later said helped them succeed in the role. Experiences like that reinforce the importance of meeting students where they are and creating space for honest conversations that lead to growth. Students are also able to see the impact of their work through customer satisfaction surveys completed by the students and families they serve.

 
The office's commitment to student development will be formally recognized through UMBC’s digital badges. Student employees will earn badges that acknowledge the communication, problem-solving and customer service skills they develop through their work. Meaghan helped spearhead the initiative herself, creating a way for students to document and communicate the knowledge and experience they gain while serving the campus community.

 
The investment in student employees is rooted in a larger vision for the office. Andrea Cipolla, director, wanted to create opportunities that mirrored the experiences that helped shape her own professional journey.

 
"We wanted it to be more than a part-time job while students are in college," Cipolla said.
With training and support, student employees can perform many of the same functions as professional counselors, helping students and families navigate questions about financial aid while gaining valuable professional experience themselves.

 
"Meaghan took it and ran with it by adding badging herself—a testament to how much she cares about the students and them gaining the skills they need for after college," Cipolla said.
The office has left a lasting impression on student employees.

 
"It feels like community—I don't think I'll have a greater office experience than here," said Serenity Hamiel, a recent graduate and former student employee. "The people make it what it is."

 
Hamiel described OFAS as a safe space where staff members support one another through challenges and celebrate growth. While she was surprised by the amount of information involved in the role at first, the hands-on experience eventually helped her develop a rhythm. She said the experience gave her a better understanding of her own financial aid and prepared her to navigate future professional environments with confidence.

 
Austin Miller, another recent graduate and former student employee, said the role challenged his assumptions about financial aid. While his own experience receiving aid shaped his understanding of its importance, working directly with students and families broadened his perspective on the many circumstances that affect college affordability. The experience ultimately influenced his decision to pursue a career in financial aid.

 
"I know that financial aid can make or break a college experience," Miller said. "It's important to recognize the power we have to make an impact."

 
Both Hamiel and Miller described the office as a safe space—an environment where questions are welcomed, support is readily available and growth is encouraged.

 
That emphasis on learning and development will continue as the office transitions to its new name, the Office of Student Financial Wellness and Assistance. The change reflects the work already taking place: helping students navigate not only financial aid, but also the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions. That mission extends to the office's student employees as well, who are developing valuable professional skills while helping others do the same.