Soraya Bazyari Welden, financial aid director at Meridian Community College, has been appointed by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges as their representative to the Mississippi Post-Secondary Education Financial Assistance Board, a division within the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).

“This is an honor, not only to be asked and appointed,” Weldon said. “Only one community college is represented on the post-secondary education financial assistance board, so I’m also honored to be able to represent Meridian Community College in this way.”

The board’s purpose is to promote, strengthen and enhance high standards for performance in administration of state scholarships, loans and grants. Its work includes providing a forum for information and idea exchange, facilitation of development and exchange of financial aid program information, and working with the Mississippi Legislature with regard to financial aid programs and their role in post-secondary education in Mississippi.

Welden has been in her current position at MCC since 1993. Before that, she served as a student loan officer at the college. She holds both a master of business administration degree and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University.

Welden and her husband, Lawrence, are the parents of two daughters, Reagan, 7, and McKenzie, 3.

In addition to her new appointment, Welden also serves as president of the Mississippi Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and is a board member of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.