A steadfast advocate for college access and student success, Sharon Oliver, Ed.D., associate vice chancellor for enrollment management at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), has been nationally recognized for her contributions to the financial aid profession.
Oliver received the Meritorious Achievement Award at the 2025 National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) annual conference, which draws more than 2,600 student aid professionals from across the country. The award recognizes individuals who have made either a single, significant contribution to NASFAA or the profession, or multiple noteworthy contributions over time.
“I find deep fulfillment in supporting families from all economic backgrounds and empowering them to pursue their educational dreams,” said Oliver. “Knowing that my work makes a lasting difference in their lives and strengthens our broader community is what fuels my passion every day.”
With more than 30 years of experience in financial aid and higher education leadership, Oliver has made a lasting impact on the profession. She is a past president of both the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) and the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NCASFAA) and has served on NASFAA’s Board of Directors. Her extensive service includes contributions to 30 NASFAA committees. Most recently, she demonstrated strategic leadership and discretion as chair of NASFAA’s Presidential Search Committee, a highly visible and confidential process.
With Oliver’s guidance, NCCU led the University of North Carolina System in enrollment growth during the 2024-2025 academic year and achieved the largest enrollment growth in school history during the fall 2024 semester.
NASFAA is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit representing more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities and career schools nationwide. Its member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the U.S., and the organization is the only national association focused exclusively on student aid policy, regulatory analysis and professional training.
For more information, visit nasfaa.org.