Featured Professional for Autumn, 2006

Michele Bowles, Midlands Technical College Alumna, class of 1989

By Sandy Taylor 

 We are proud to introduce you to an alumna who has also been chosen Midlands Technical College’s “Administrator of the Year 2006-2007.”   Michele Bowles was honored for excellence in the career she loves: Director of Student Financial Services.

 Talk to Michele for two minutes and you will see that she is clearly excited about her job and the crucial role she plays in the lives of students. She is rewarded everyday with evidence that her work “helps students gain the most valuable asset they will ever own: a college degree.” 

 Michele is detail oriented and analytical which are important characteristics for this job, but she is also a people person.  Contrary to stereotypes, accounting personnel are more than just “number nerds” hiding behind desks. Directing SFS requires a balance between excellent administrative and organizational skills with exceptional communication and caring customer service. 

 Typical duties she performs are: ensuring the college’s compliance with all federal and state regulations, strategic planning, establishing policies, reconciling state and federal funds, and supervising the implementation of computer programs for the administration of financial aid.  She also oversees the budget, researches and analyzes financial trends and data, and works with other departments of the college to successfully resolve student concerns. All of these procedures are necessary for her to manage millions of dollars of federal and state funds designated for MTC students.

 After high school Michele went straight to work, but after six years she realized that she couldn’t get where she wanted to be without further education.  She enrolled at MTC.  She stuck with it initially motivated by the prospect of a better job and more money.  Soon the money issue became secondary to the good grades she was starting to earn.  The motivation of “A’s” quickly developed into a love for learning which she has never lost.  MTC got her back on track and thoroughly equipped her to move on. She went from feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, and lost - to confident, motivated, and ready to tackle the future.   

 Michele received an Associate Degree in Accounting from MTC. Although she later earned a bachelor’s degree and Masters’ Degrees in Business and Management, Michele still credits her student days at Midlands Technical College as being the reason she is here today. She learned foundational skills, processes and tools necessary to learn how to administer the financial aid program. Before that, Michele’s MTC advisors helped her discover that she is good at accounting. She liked it and said “why not go for it?”  Michele now serves students who are just like she was and helps them get to the “why not go for it?” stage.

 For students who aspire to this career, Michele says you should apply for a work-study position within financial aid, and learn skills, routines, and standard procedures. Find out if you love helping students.  In addition, you should earn an accounting degree and experience in providing customer service.

 Michele recently found her “Certificate of Appreciation” for being an MTC ambassador 17 years ago.  It is now hanging in her office where you’ll also find a proud mama’s pictures of her 14 year old daughter, Denita.  Michele enjoys watching Denita cheer at Ridgeview High School football games, and she loves the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Michele’s favorite hobby is reading and loves books.  She told me “someday I am going to write the great American novel and retire on my millions.”