College can change a life. Sometimes, it changes an entire family.
Becca Dobry, the new financial aid director at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, has spent her career helping make those opportunities possible.
“I love the impact financial aid has, not just on students, but on entire families,” she said. “I’ve had the privilege of helping students overcome financial barriers so they can pursue their education and achieve goals they may have thought were out of reach. Knowing that our work can change the trajectory of someone’s future is incredibly rewarding and is what motivates me every day.”
A Sumner native, Dobry earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an economics emphasis from Chadron State College in 2006. She started her financial aid career at National American University before spending more than a decade in UNK’s Financial Aid Office. She also earned a master’s degree in student affairs from UNK in 2013.
After nearly three years at Central Community College, Dobry returned to UNK in March as financial aid director, bringing a broad perspective shaped by each stop along the way.
“Each school has its own unique mission and challenges, and those experiences have made me a stronger financial aid professional,” Dobry said.
What led you to this career path?
Honestly, I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do when I started college. I just knew college was the right next step. Business felt like the most versatile degree because it could open doors to almost any industry. I explored quite a few career ideas before finding my passion for financial aid. During college, I worked at a massage center and even thought about opening a spa one day. I also earned my mixology certification and briefly considered opening a bar.
One thing that really stuck with me from my college visit was something a business professor said. She explained that the purpose of a business degree wasn’t to prepare students for one specific career – it was to teach them how to communicate effectively, think critically and work well with others so they could succeed in any field. That perspective really resonated with me, and that is why I majored in business.
What roles have you held at UNK?
I started in 2009 in the Financial Aid Office during our software conversion. My first position was as a temporary office assistant, and the role kept being extended every six months for the first few years. Eventually, a financial aid counselor position became available, and I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to continue my career at UNK. From there, I was promoted to assistant director before leaving for CCC.
Why did you decide to return?
The answer is simple, UNK feels like home. This is where I fell in love with the financial aid profession, and having the opportunity to return after spending some time away was incredibly rewarding.
Describe your job as financial aid director:
It really depends on the day. Much like Nebraska weather, my role can change several times throughout. On any given day I might be an IT troubleshooter, furniture mover, compliance officer, grant administrator, customer service representative or problem solver. If I had to sum it up in one sentence, my role is to make sure the right student receives the right funding while being a responsible steward of institutional, state and federal financial aid funds.
How does your office serve students?
We work hard to make financial aid as accessible as possible. Students can stop by for walk-in assistance, schedule an appointment, meet with us over Zoom, call or email us. Most importantly, I encourage my team to always put students first. We want every student to feel supported and know they have someone to help them navigate the financial aid process.
My team truly loves what they do. For them, this is much more than a job. They understand that financial aid can open doors and create opportunities for students and their families.
What advice do you have for parents and students who are preparing for college?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask them more than once if you need to. I often joke with families that I have the opportunity to complete hundreds of FAFSAs every year, while they only get the opportunity to complete one. We don’t expect anyone to know everything about the process, so please reach out whenever you need help.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I give students today is to take ownership of their financial aid. Parents are an important part of the process, but students should be actively involved, asking questions, understanding their options and learning how financial aid works. I know firsthand how easy it is to let someone else handle it, which is why I encourage students to engage early and build those skills for the future.
Share something unique about yourself:
I’m an avid reader. I’ve read every week for the past 102 consecutive weeks (and usually much more than one book a week). Before getting the flu a couple years ago, I had a reading streak of 276 consecutive weeks. So, I’m working my way back!
I’m also a proud dog owner. My two dogs, Rooster and Cowboy, definitely keep life entertaining and make sure I never have a dull day.