On behalf of the Board of Regents, I am pleased to present a KUDOS Award to Paula Kohles, Director of Financial Aid at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Paula has helped students navigate paying for their education and managing their debt load after graduation for the past 40 years. First as part of the work-study program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and later as part of financial aid teams at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Creighton University.
In November 2020, she joined the financial aid office in UNMC’s Division of Student Success. “Paula’s work ethic and commitment to students and UNMC is unparalleled,” said one nominator. “She is a steady force of calm in the midst of chaos and her staff, colleagues and students know they can depend on her to deliver.”
Colleagues applaud Paula’s knowledge, expertise, and flexibility in working through the changing financial aid landscape. “Despite an incredibly challenging rollout of the simplified FAFSA, she kept students and colleagues informed about what to expect.” And, she is a selfless collaborator, always carrying more than her fair share of the weight when partnering with others.”
Today, Paula is joined by her spouse, Glenn Kohles; her son, Connor Kohles; Brooke Huntsman, University Registrar in Academic Records and Jane Meza, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
Join me in thanking Paula for her commitment to helping UNMC graduates and student health professionals navigate the world of financial aid and fulfill their career goals.