New financial aid director to take over Nov. 3

When financial aid director Joe Camille steps down Nov. 3, James Brooks will take over the position on Nov. 3.

By Scott Kanowsky

Published Sept. 18, 2008

James Brooks, associate director of financial aid at Indiana University, will take over for MU financial aid director Joe Camille Nov. 3.

The interview process, according to Brooks, began in July and did not end until Aug. 25, when Brooks came to MU for a face-to-face interview.

"I had never been to Columbia before," Brooks said. "But being on campus and seeing the people really sold me."

Search committee member Jeffrey Williams, director of access and urban outreach at the Office of Enrollment Management, said he was impressed by Brooks' breadth of knowledge about the financial aid industry.

"Jim Brooks had the full complement of skills you'd expect from someone with 20 years of experience in the financial aid field," Williams said.

Williams was also impressed by Brooks' knowledge of PeopleSoft, a new student administration system MU implemented last semester that has been having "growing pains," Brooks said.

But most of all, Williams said he was taken with Brooks' great communication and people skills.

Ann Korschgen, vice provost for enrollment management, offered an enthusiastic affirmation of the choice.

"Financial aid often plays a key role in student success at Mizzou," Korschgen said in a news release. "Given that, we are pleased that Jim Brooks, an outstanding leader in the financial aid profession, will be joining us as our next director of financial aid."

Brooks said he was excited about the open position at a large state university, so he took the initiative and applied for the job.

A graduate of Anderson University and the University of Notre Dame, Brooks started his career in financial aid in 1987. Since 1999, he has been with IU's department of financial aid, serving as the senior associate director, a financial aid counselor and a liaison to the department's clients.