Twenty years ago, Cathi Lucero joined the Adams State University staff as an administrative assistant. Since then, she advanced through various positions, earned her bachelor’s degree, and was recently named Director of Financial Aid.
Mark Buck, assistant vice president of Enrollment Management, said, “Cathi continues to bring new ideas to the department on how we can better serve our students through our financial aid services.”
Lucero held positions in Extended Studies, Enrollment Management, Advancement, and the One Stop Student Service Center, before moving to Financial Aid. Her first position was as financial aid counselor and technical data coordinator; she was named assistant director in 2015, and served as interim director twice before her recent promotion.
“I am so excited to be representing women and minority groups and doing more to help our students,” she said. A native of the San Luis Valley, Lucero earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2014, after taking two classes a term, year-round, for six years while working full time. She also took courses in Adams State’s Higher Education Administrative Leadership (HEAL). “I put my three kids through college, and they are successful, so then it was my turn. My son Scott, particularly, as well as my professors encouraged me to keep going.”
She said an ongoing challenge is finding financial support for middle-income students, especially those trying to pay for college on their own. “As a Hispanic Serving Institution, we want to reach and help everyone, regardless of race.”
She said Financial Aid staff are available daily at the One-Stop, and her goal is to further expand its services. The One-Stop Student Service Center, located in the Student Union Building, helps students navigate university processes and directs them to campus resources. Her office also presents Financial Aid Fridays and a FAFSA webinar and provides dedicated computer stations to complete FAFSA applications.
