DEI Webinar Series (Unconscious Biases)

Second Session:

"Who Do We Think We Serve and Their Impact on Financial Aid Decisions"

DEI Webinar Series

Throughout the year, MSFAA’s DEI team will offer a series of professional development webinars designed to enhance members' knowledge and skills in addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within higher education. Our goal is to bridge knowledge gaps, shed light on critical DEI topics, and equip members with practical insights that support our diverse populations, from students and departments to community partners, ultimately enriching our understanding as individuals and professionals.

Session: "Who Do We Think We Serve and Their Impact on Financial Aid Decisions"

This webinar explores how we interpret data and connect it to assumptions of who we serve in the financial aid process and decision-making. FAFSA data provides a wide lens into people's experiences which may lead to automatic judgments or stereotypes that individuals may hold, often without awareness. In the context of financial aid, assumptions can affect the assessment of students' needs, the allocation of funds, and the overall fairness of financial support decisions. The session will highlight common data points —such as racial, socioeconomic, and gender—and examine their potential impact on both applicants and decision-makers. The webinar will also offer strategies for identifying behaviors that promote more equitable and inclusive environments and financial aid practices.

About the Presenter:  Aura Jimena Cazares

Dr. Aura J. Cazares has over two decades of experience employing Spanish fluency and analytical skills to lead strategic enrollment and student support systems for a Catholic Jesuit University and a Hispanic Serving Institution, an urban community college, and currently leads support systems for students and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at an R2 four-year institution. Her interest and passion are addressing systemic barriers that preclude student success and educating her community about how to achieve academic and professional success. Dr. Cazares's scholarly work focuses on adapting cultural humility principles in compliance as a framework to create a culture of compliance and engagement.  She is a contributing writer for the El Central Newspaper (the oldest bilingual newspaper in Michigan), and her column Within Your Grasps shares tips about educational and professional attainment for the Latinx community.  She loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, and listening to audiobooks.