Spectrum - Volume 20 Issue 32 June 4, 1998 - Simmons named scholarships, aid director

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Simmons named scholarships, aid director

By Catherine Doss

Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 32 - June 4, 1998

Virginia Tech has named Barry W. Simmons Sr. as director of scholarships and financial aid. Simmons replaces Julie Sina who left in January to accept the position of dean of students at the University of Florida.
Simmons comes to Virginia Tech with more than 25 years experience in student affairs, enrollment, and financial aid for higher-education institutions. Most recently, he served as assistant director of enrollment services at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). In this position, he was responsible for managing policy, public relations, and personnel issues in financial aid, admissions, records, registration, and student accounts. Simmons has also served as assistant director of financial aid at VCU, assistant vice president for student affairs at Saint Paul's College, and associate coordinator of admissions and financial aid at Elon College.
"We are fortunate to attract a person like Dr. Simmons who has the breadth of experience in enrollment services to give leadership to the area of scholarships and financial aid," said David Ford, vice provost for academic affairs. "He is recognized not only among financial-aid directors state wide, but also throughout the region by his peers."
Simmons received his masters and doctoral degrees in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In his new role, Simmons will have overall responsibility for the supervision, management, awarding, and packaging of a comprehensive scholarship and financial aid program at Virginia Tech and will be responsible for developing and implementing need-based financial-aid packages and successful strategies for addressing unmet financial need.
Zelma Harris has served as interim director since January. Upon Simmons arrival, she will return to her job as associate director.
"Zelma has done a superb job as interim director," Ford said. "She has been willing to make decisions and keep the day-to-day activities of the department going during the busiest time of the year."
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid awards approximately $138 million in aid annually to about 17,000 student at all academic levels.
Simmons will start July 6.