On August 1, Dino Koff will become the College’s new financial aid director. He succeeds Virginia Hazen, who will retire this summer after 45 years of at the College, 25 of which were spent as financial aid director. The final decision for the position was made by Maria Laskaris, the dean of admissions and financial aid.
Koff served as the financial aid director for the Geisel School of Medicine since 2008. Since 2013, Koff has lead various aspects of Geisel as associate dean and director, including admissions, student affairs, the registrar, academic advising and multicultural affairs. These positions, Koff wrote in an email, allowed him to work with colleagues across departments to serve students on both large and small projects. Given this experience, he wrote that he looks forward to finding creative ways to collaborate with students, faculty, alumni and staff in order to implement financial aid wellness programs and general outreach across campus.
Koff was admired and respected at Geisel by both his colleagues and students receiving financial, and his reputation is that of someone who goes above and beyond to support students, Laskaris said.
Hazen, who began her tenure as director in 1989, has witnessed many changes in financial aid specific to the College, as well as on the national level. The College’s financial aid office awards upwards of $90 million in aid, Hazen said. The department’s budget has grown significantly since 1989, resulting in the consequent growth of Dartmouth scholarship funds. At the same time, however, she said that there are many more federal regulations now than ever before.
Hazen said that one of her best memories as director include the implementation of a free tuition plan for students coming from households with family incomes below $100,000 per year, as well as her work on a plan that would eliminate loans for all Dartmouth students.
Her favorite part of the job, she said, was “meeting with students and feeling that you have truly helped them. You can’t always, but when you can, it’s what keeps you coming in and feeling good about the job. You’re the advocate behind the scenes.”
Hazen said that she believes that there is room for improvement. Due to short staff, the financial aid office has never implemented its goal to consult all students on a one-to-one basis, Hazen said. She added that, in her experience, students make fewer mistakes when they are more aware of the implications of their financial decisions.
Laskaris said that Koff shares this student-centered approach. She said Koff communicates with genuine understanding, knowledge and compassion.
Knowing that finances can be a major stressor for Geisel students, Koff demonstrated a commitment to increasing students’ financial literacy, empowering them to make good decisions about the financing of their education, Laskaris said.
Hazen said she also thinks that the office needs to pay more attention to students from middle-income families, adding that perhaps expected family contributions have been overestimated.
Laskaris believes it is an opportune time for the department to carefully examine the ways in which it determines a student’s demonstrated need and how that need is met through a combination of grants, campus employment, loans and the student’s own resources.
Hazen said that she believes the financial aid office should increase outreach and work jointly with admissions. She said that she is confident in Koff’s abilities to spearhead these initiatives.
“I’ve been in it so long,” Hazen said. “It’s time for [the office] to have fresh ideas, somebody that can see new directions for the office.”
Koff is experienced, and understands the financial issues students and their families face, Hazen said. She said that she believes students, faculty and administrators will find him approachable and will enjoy working with him.
Koff wrote that he is excited to continue Hazen’s work. The transition between the two was purposely planned to have one month of overlap, Hazen said, giving Koff the opportunity to meet with her in preparation for his new position.
Both Koff and Hazen stated that much of the financial aid department’s success is due in part to the presence of an experienced team.
Koff wrote that there are not many schools that one can walk into with employees who have the financial aid skills that his colleagues possess. Hazen echoed Koff, saying that she will be leaving behind “a wonderful staff.”
