Directory
FACULTY AND STAFF
Karen Jeffers
Director
Financial Aid
- +1 479-788-7093
- Karen.JeffersFREEuafs
- CC221D University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Biography
| Degree | Major Emphasis/Program Name | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.S. | Food Marketing and Agribusiness Management | California State Polytechnic University Pomona | 1997 |
| A.A. | Agribusiness | Bakersfield College | 1994 |
Karen Jeffers serves as the director of Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits. For 25
years she has worked in financial aid at three different institutions across Arkansas
and Oklahoma, gaining valuable experience with a variety of institutional missions,
student populations, and operational challenges. These experiences have shaped both
her professional expertise and her deep appreciation for the role financial aid plays
in helping students achieve their educational goals.
Throughout her career, she has also seen the importance of strong professional communities,
like the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (AASFAA), that
provide both knowledge and encouragement during times of transition and change. As
a member of AASFAA, OASFAA (Oklahoma), and SWASFAA (Southwest region), Karen has served
in multiple leadership roles including OASFAA president in 2017–2018. She has presented
on topics such as effective financial aid counseling, managing from the middle, and
return to Title IV funds.