Lisa Hopper, who recently retired from her post as dean of student financial services for National Park College in Hot Springs, Arkansas, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor presented by NASFAA, a Washington, D.C.-based organization supporting more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Hopper is only the 28th recipient of the award and the first person from Arkansas to receive the honor.
Hopper said in her acceptance speech, “John F. Kennedy once said, ‘We must find time to stop and thank the people that make differences in our lives.’ I thank the students who have returned to tell me I have made a difference in their lives and have shared their success stories. These are the true rewards when you are called into this profession, and those of you that have been in it a long time know that it is a calling. I give you my promise to always strive to deserve the honor you have bestowed on me today. Thank you so very much.”
Hopper has worked for National Park College for 25 years. She was hired as the director of financial aid and was promoted to the dean of student financial services in 2018.
Hopper earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Arkansas Tech University.