Thomas Melecki, former vice president for the National Student Loan Program (NSLP), has been appointed director of student financial services.
He will oversee all operations of the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS), the university’s on-campus financial aid resource. Melecki’s appointment comes after a nationwide, six-month search by an executive search firm and by an internal selection committee made up of a diverse cross-section of students, faculty and staff. Melecki’s appointment begins April 7.
“I am delighted that Tom Melecki is joining the Division of Student Affairs,” said Juan C. Gonzalez, vice president for student affairs. “The selection committee and I have searched long and hard to make sure we found the best possible candidate. This position requires the highest levels of integrity, leadership and fiscal responsibility. We have found all of these strengthsand much morein Tom.”
“I’m very happy to come home to The University of Texas at Austin,” Melecki said. “Having earned my Ph.D. here and worked in the Office of Student Financial Services, it’s very gratifying to be able to bring all the experience, skills and knowledge I’ve gained in my career to serve the students of this great institution.”
The search to find a new director of student financial services began soon after Lawrence Burt was dismissed from the position in April 2007. Since that time, Dr. Charles A. Sorber has directed Student Financial Services on a temporary basis.
“I am forever indebted to Dr. Sorber for bringing his considerable experience, leadership and professionalism to this department,” Gonzalez said.
Melecki comes to the university after 17 years with the NSLP, the nation’s sixth largest student loan guaranty agency. NSLP is a private, nonprofit corporation with annual revenues of more than $44 million. Melecki was the company’s chief compliance officer and expanded relationships with key congressional offices, the U.S. Department of Education, the state higher education coordinating commission and national higher education associations. He led initiatives to educate financial aid officers in improving their skills to advise students on how to better manage money and credit, leading to higher rates of student retention and academic success. He also authored and enforced business conduct policies to prevent unethical and illegal inducements by NSLP’s marketing staff and other employees.
