Lisa Abbott

In early 2024, Lisa co-led the new Student Affairs Scholarship Workgroup with Chelsea Haines, and over the past year and a half, she has led the charge to transform how we support our students financially.

Thanks to her leadership, most departments hit — or even surpassed — the 95% scholarship utilization target in Q3 2025. That’s the first time we’ve seen numbers like that in over five years!

But she didn’t stop there. She rolled up her sleeves and worked side-by-side with our partners in University Scholarships and Financial Aid and our colleagues in Student Affairs Finance to streamline processes, simplify procedures, and make sure every dollar reached the students who needed it most.

She’s organized trainings, shared critical updates, and offered one-on-one support to new scholarship administrators and directors. And when the Corps’ scholarship administrator had to step away unexpectedly, she stepped in without hesitation to help the Corps of Cadets ensure Cadets received their scholarships in partnership with University Scholarships and Financial Aid.

She’s also been instrumental in helping us understand and implement the new Pool and Match Policy developed by federal guidance, and she’s worked with student interns and Stephanie Brady, our Chief Advancement Officer, to bring back our beloved Scholarship Celebration for donors and recipients.

Because of her workgroup she helped build, students with the greatest financial need are receiving the support they deserve to pursue their education.