Student Freedom Initiative Announces $1.8 Million Grant from Prudential Financial to Launch the Handling Everyday Life Problems for Students (HELPS) Program. Read More.

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Kammie Watters

Kammie Watters headshot

MSI Engagement Partner
Student Freedom Initiative (“SFI”)

Accountable to the Chief Operating Officer for the engagement and associated communications with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) on behalf of Student Freedom Initiative. As an Engagement Partner serves as the primary liaison with the assigned MSI to facilitate the planning, coordination, and implementation of the four components of the SFI Program.

  • Develops and coordinates content to be used by assigned MSIs to describe the SFI Program on their websites and other social media channels.
  • Designs and coordinates the process and tools to collect and analyze institutional data.  
  • Updates the MSI Cohort selection criteria, based on lessons learned from prior Cohorts to be applied to future Cohorts.  
  • Defines attributes and definitions to support data visual representation of institution and servicer provided information within the SFI Knowledgebase and Dashboard.  
  • Provides institution and student specific feedback to inform the final Student Freedom Agreement (SFA) process, design, FAQs, and implementation.

Kammie has 17+ years’ experience in higher education management, policy analysis, program evaluation, and Title IV and Title VII financial aid programs.  Prior to joining Student Freedom Initiative, Kammie served as the Assistant Director of University Student Financial Assistance at University of Maryland, Baltimore’s School of Medicine.  In this hybrid role which served both University Student Financial Assistance and the Office of Student Affairs, Kammie administered and managed millions of dollars in federal, state, and institutional financial aid dollars, reported detailed data on loan debt totals, and reconciled accounts.  She developed and presented educational financial aid material which provided students with an understanding of how to manage finances, establish financial goals, and develop a plan to make informed and effective decisions when borrowing to meet educational expenses. Recent accomplishments include modifying the Student Emergency Fund procedure and serving as a committee member for MD/PhD students affected by COVID-19, maintaining and growing a new departmental role, and developing comprehensive plans for a four-year expanded financial literacy program. She has worked for both private and public universities in her over decade and a half career.  Previous responsibilities include assisting in the implementation of policies and procedures in the administration, oversight and distribution of funds, establishing an internal Business Process Guide for the scholarship program, and creating templated customer service resources for counselors.  Kammie received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Procurement from Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland.