Our Subject Matter Expert Network

Our network connects institutions with subject matter experts!

We have highlighted some of our SMEs below.

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  • A woman with short hair wearing black glasses, a striped blue and black turtleneck, and dangling earrings, smiling at the camera indoors.

    Glenda Despenza

    With over 30 years of dedicated experience in higher education federal student aid, Glenda has  established herself as a leading subject matter expert committed to empowering students and  institutions alike. Her career spans a wide range of roles centered around the complexities of  federal student aid programs, regulatory compliance, policy and procedures development, system  implementation, training, and consulting. 

  • Man smiling in a modern office with large windows and minimal decor

    Andy Hagedorn

    Andy is a higher education compliance and operations consultant with more than 30 years of experience in financial aid and admissions. His career spans both institutional leadership and federal oversight, providing a comprehensive understanding of how policy, practice, and performance intersect in Title IV administration.

  • Close-up photo of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black top, in a modern office space with large windows.

    Breneé Johnson

    Breneé possesses 18 years of experience in the operations and compliance of financial aid within higher education institutions. Her career in the financial aid community began as a fiscal assistant in a Bursar’s Office, followed by roles as a Financial Aid Counselor, Team Leader, and Trainer at an online university. Most recently, Breneé served as a Senior Institutional Review Specialist in the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid.

  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair, wearing glasses, a black blazer, and a black shirt, standing indoors with a blurred window or glass wall in the background.

    Hyun Jhong Yi

    Hyun Jhong began her career in financial aid as a Federal Work-Study student in her college’s  financial aid office. This early experience laid the foundation for her expertise and commitment. Today, she is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the Title IV and  financial aid sector, serving in roles across public, proprietary, and non-profit institutions, as well  as with the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Larry Vu

    Larry Vu is an Education Professional who has over 15 years of Higher Education experience. He has spent time working with students and families on funding their college while working at the university early on in his career. While there, he actively participated in state and regional professional associations and took on leadership roles at the state level.