Financial Aid’s New CS Regulations: Live Q&A with DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary Antoinette Flores

Mary Gatta, Director of Research and Public Policy, NACE

Mary Gatta, Ph.D., is the director of research and policy at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), where she leads research on the employment of the college educated, and forecasts hiring and trends in the job market; tracks starting salaries, recruiting and hiring practices, and student attitudes and outcomes; and identifies best practices and benchmarks. She has more than 20 years of teaching, research, and advocacy experience working on issues of career education and workforce development in colleges and nonprofit associations. Prior to joining NACE, Dr. Gatta served as an associate professor of sociology at City University of New York-Guttman and faculty director of the Ethnographies of Work program. In addition, she was the research director at the Rutgers University Center for Women and Work and a senior scholar at Wider Opportunities for Women in Washington D.C. She has written numerous books, articles, and policy papers on education and work. Dr. Gatta also served on NJ Governor Phil Murphy's Labor and Workforce Development Transition Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Providence College and a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from Rutgers University.

Shawn VanDerziel, President & Chief Executive Officer, NACE

As president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Shawn VanDerziel leads the association of 18,000 college career services professionals, early talent recruiting professionals, and business solution providers that serve the community. As a leading voice on the employment of the college educated and advocate for opportunity and access for all students, VanDerziel is featured regularly as an industry expert and is a sought-after speaker on a range of topics, including internships, hiring, career readiness, and trends in the workforce and college job market. Prior to joining the NACE staff, VanDerziel was with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago for 23 years, where he most recently served as chief human resources officer and as chief of staff. His earlier roles included corporate recruiting with Norrell Corporation and a position in higher education as associate director of student enrollment at National Louis University.

Antoinette Flores, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education

Antoinette Flores most recently served as the managing director for Postsecondary Education at the Center for American Progress. While there, her work focused on improving higher education quality, accountability, equity, and data to ensure that all students could access, afford, and complete high-quality degrees. Flores is a first-generation college graduate, Pell recipient, and holds degrees from Amherst College and George Mason University.

Alanna Suda, Senior Vice President, MWW Group

Alanna Suda, vice president at MWW, works in government and public affairs, with a focus on legislative strategy, issues management, and government relations. Prior to joining MWW in 2008, she served as a legislative adviser at Jorden Burt LLP. She holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Catholic University. She is the co-chair of the Health & Social Policies Task Force of Women in Government Relations, Inc. (WGR), one of the most respected nonprofit, non-partisan government relations associations in the Washington metropolitan area. Suda is known and respected for her thoroughness and effectiveness in working with the federal government and her proficiency in using both the legislative and regulatory processes to achieve client-specific objectives. She specializes in affecting broad policy changes through authorizing legislation; increasing federal funding and influencing future agency opportunities through the appropriations process; and working with clients to create strategic partnerships with federal agencies, the White House, and professional associations in Washington, DC.