Carol Handlan Retirement – Summer 2016
It is with great pleasure and sadness that PASFAA is wishing Carol Handlan the best in her retirement. Carol’s official last day at PHEAA is May 31, 2016. PASFAA would like to give their thanks to her for her hard work, service, commitment and dedication to higher education. We congratulate Carol and wish her the best as she enters this new phase in her life.
Carol has been employed in the student financial aid industry for more than 47 years. She is retiring from PHEAA as a Higher Education Access Partner. In her position, she was responsible for working with secondary and post-secondary schools, community organizations and legislative offices in 5 counties; providing a variety of higher education-related services, such as, financial aid presentations, career and college planning, FAFSA presentations and FAFSA completion sessions, financial literacy sessions as well as custom workshops to students, families, educators, schools, community partners and the general public.
Carol also represented PHEAA on the Executive Board of the Capital Region Partnership for Career Development working with the partnership’s 22 member school districts in 4 counties. She was also the Board President of the School of Business and Industry Prep Program at Harrisburg High School.
Prior to her position at PHEAA, Carol held multiple positions in various higher education organizations. These include Susquehanna University, New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority, and the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. In addition, she was actively involved in PASFAA and served as Vice President of from 2004-2006.
Carol found her way to Selinsgrove from New Jersey when she married her husband Jim, who taught Mathematics and Computer Science at Susquehanna University. While at Susquehanna, in between her work and other activities, Carol managed with her husband, who coached, the SU Women’s rugby team for 14 seasons. Together, they were successful in building a team that went on to win the Eastern Pennsylvania Divison III, Rugby Union Championship and moved the team to Division II status as a result.
She has been actively involved in her adoptive town and has dedicated herself to serving others, as she does in her public service employment. She has spent much time serving her community having served 9 years on Selinsgrove Borough Council, 1 year on the Eastern Snyder County Regional Authority, and 6 years on the Snyder County Library Board. Carol is the current President of Selinsgrove Projects, Inc., is also currently serving on the Board of the Selinsgrove Area Community Foundation and is also the co-founder and chairperson of Selinsgrove’s annual Hops, Vines and Wines Festival which has raised over $250,000 for the community’s revitalization efforts to date.
Carol would like to encourage her fellow PASFAA members to get involved in association by volunteering or serving on committees and taking on leadership roles. This service can help you understand what and how the organization works for the benefit of higher education.
While employed at Susquehanna University, Carol gives credit to Helen Nunn for being her mentor and best supporter.
Carol enjoys relaxing with her husband Jim, who is a retired college professor and spending time with their family and especially their granddaughter.
Again, we wish Carol the best in her new adventure and we will miss her.