by Ella Smith, Student Public Relations Writer
The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) has awarded Kim Jenerette, Cedarville University’s executive director of financial aid, one of its Staff Excellence Awards for October 2023.
Jenerette has served in his position at Cedarville, his alma mater, for 11 years. What began as a part-time financial aid position at Coastal Carolina University developed into a 30-year long career. As executive director of financial aid, he upholds industry regulations, awards and distributes aid and assists students in accomplishing their goals. 
The financial aid industry is an ever-changing one that requires Jenerette to communicate with different people in various associations. With regulations changing every year, the financial aid office must keep a close eye on the varying aspects of financial aid at both the regional and national levels.
Jenerette has been directly involved in the financial aid field on the national level by serving in multiple roles within the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration (NASFAA.) The association advocates for public policies that will benefit students and provide professionals in the financial aid field with the resources to succeed in their role.
One of Jenerette's favorite aspects of being the executive director is the team centeredness of the financial aid office and the ability to mentor others in his field.
SOCHE is the regional leader for higher education collaboration, engaging with colleges, universities and industry to transform the economy through the education and employment of nearly 200,000 students in southwest Ohio.
The SOCHE award highlights some of the defining features of what it takes to thrive in the world of financial aid: servant leadership, meticulous attention to detail and a heart for assisting students. To Jenerette the award stands for an essential part of being Cedarville’s executive director of financial aid.
“To me what it represents is just working with others. Working with nine other team members as part of the financial aid team here at Cedarville as well as working with others in the southwest region of Ohio,” said Jenerette.
The full list of SOCHE award recipients can be found at https://www.soche.org/.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,456 undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.