Amanda Messatzzia joined Wor-Wic Community College in February 2009 and has held a variety of roles across the institution, including positions in Career Services, Financial Aid, and Student Success. She also served as the college’s Registrar prior to being selected as the Associate Dean of Enrollment Management and, now, as the Dean of Enrollment Management, where she oversees enrollment strategy and initiatives designed to support student success from inquiry through completion.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts and a master’s degree in post-secondary education from Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi, where her research focused on new student onboarding.

Her work is shaped by her experience as a first-generation college student and a passion for integrating academic, financial, and social supports into the new student experience. This perspective continues to fuel her commitment to building pathways that make college access and success possible for all students.

Katie Abreu serves as the Director of Financial Aid at Wor-Wic Community College, where she has spent the past eight years helping students and families navigate the financial aid process and access the resources they need to pursue their educational goals.

Prior to joining the financial aid office, Katie worked directly with students as the Director of TRIO Student Support Services and as a STEM grant coordinator. These roles strengthened her commitment to expanding educational access and supporting students from diverse backgrounds as they pursue postsecondary opportunities.

With three children at different stages, including one in a high school CTE program, one working as a CNA while in nursing school, and another in the workforce, Katie has seen firsthand that the traditional college pathway is not the right fit for every student. This perspective has strengthened her belief that students benefit from having multiple options that align with their interests, strengths, and career goals. She is passionate about ensuring colleges provide a range of educational options that meet students where they are while also expanding access to funding that supports multiple pathways into the workforce and meaningful careers.

Brian joined Delaware Technical Community College in August 2019 as their first Collegewide Director of Financial Aid, overseeing financial aid operations at all four of Del Techs campuses. With over 30 years of experience serving in financial aid-related positions, he began his career working in the student loan industry at the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and later Edfinancial Services in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In 2009, he was excited to take his student loan experience and begin working on a college campus, directly supporting students. Prior to joining Del Tech, Brian helped administer financial aid at other institutions, including Tennessee State University, Temple University, Immaculata University, and Bryn Athyn College. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Tusculum College (now Tusculum University) and a Master’s Degree in Education from Tennessee State University. A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Brian has made Magnolia, Delaware, his home with his wife, Monica, and their two children, Leora and Prescott.  

This session will explore how colleges in the Maryland-DC-Delaware area have approached implementing the Workforce Pell program from a Financial Aid perspective. The conversation will include strategies, successes, challenges experienced, and what comes next. Participants are encouraged to share their insights on how they are preparing for this new proces