On Jan. 24, Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisor Rena Jan left Aragon and moved to Portland, Oregon with her significant other, who recently found employment in the area.
Jan has worked at Aragon helping students navigate the scholarship and financial aid process since 2011.
Jan has yet to be replaced, but her responsibilities are currently dispersed among the other counselors. “Hopefully the things that need to be covered will be taken care of by other counseling staff,” she says.
These duties will fall heavily on College and Career Counselor Laurie Tezak, who previously held Jan’s position for over 12 years. Assistant Principal Jim Coe, who presides over employment matters, says, “As far as scholarship procurement, helping students out who are applying for scholarships, all that kind of stuff, Ms. Tezak is more than experienced to do that. Everyone should be in good hands for the time being.”
Along with those seeking college advice, undocumented students had been receiving help from Jan. Due to the discrete nature of their situation, these students have been informed of this change and will now work with Tezak.
Jan has published all scholarships and submitted all current Cal Grant applications in hopes of making the transition easier for students and counseling staff. She adds, “I have also organized a Cash for College event and that will be Feb. 6 to help students with their financial aid applications.”
With the finalization of these processes and extra events already organized, Jan departed with hopes of a smooth transition.
Without a replacement, Coe and other administration members are currently in the hiring process. The administration has received applications and is currently scheduling interviews.
Coe has hopes of replacing Jan in the near future. “Depending on the candidates, hopefully we [will] have someone in place within a week or two, as long as they aren’t working and don’t have to give two weeks notice,” he says.
