Mark S. Williams, President

Mark is founder and president of the Center for Higher Education Support Services, Inc. He is also an attorney and the Managing Member of Rice Law, PLLC through which he provides legal representation to colleges and universities on federal student aid issues. With more than 14 years experience in higher education, including extensive work in the administration of financial aid programs, enrollment management, student affairs, and teaching, his accomplishments include:

Providing consulting services to more than 50 institutions of higher education with enrollments ranging from 1,400 to 45,000 students.

Working with public and private institutions, as well as community colleges, on projects ranging from creating a student services "one-stop-shop" to implementing a $245M Direct Loan Program.

Jointly conceptualizing, obtaining nearly $1M in FIPSE funding, and creating LearnStudentAid.org, a national training program for financial aid administrators and high-school counselors that is endorsed by the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the American School Counselor Association, and the American Indian College Fund, among others.

Analyzing, designing, and managing computer systems. He co-authored a national publication on the selection, implementation, and operation of financial aid software systems, and has assisted schools in the migration and implementation of student information systems.

Authoring and co-authoring articles and publications in the areas of alcohol and substance use, institutional assessment, and financial aid. This includes co-authorship of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Staffing Model-the first national study of financial aid administrators staffing and salary patterns-and acting as sole author of the 1999 update to the NASFAA Staffing & Salary Model. His most recent publication (in print) is the encyclopedia article on "Financial Aid" for the Encyclopedia of Distributed Education published by Sage Publications.

Mark is a featured speaker and trainer at national, regional, and state higher education conferences. Speaking on topics that include improving student services, staffing, higher education research, education technology, federal statutory and regulatory requirements, and leadership, he has addressed attendees at more than 50 higher-education conferences. In addition to consulting via CHESS, Mark is a strong advocate for reform in the administration of and access to federal student aid.

Education

Campbell University, Normal Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Appalachian State University, Ed.S., leadership and higher education, administration
Appalachian State University, M.A., leadership and higher education, administration
Appalachian State University, B.A., philosophy and religion; minor, business management

View Mark's resume (PDF)