Rice University’s Board of Trustees recently recognized Anne Walker for her retirement after more than 15 years of service in the Office of Financial Aid.
Walker, the outgoing assistant vice president and executive director of university financial aid services, is a nationally recognized leader in her field and an advocate for making a college education accessible to low- and middle-income families.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have served Rice students and their families the last 15 years,” said Walker, whose official retirement date is Nov. 18. “I am so proud of the work we have accomplished in the Office of Financial Aid. I have worked with an amazing staff, and I have confidence they will continue the good work.”
Her co-workers had glowing compliments to share.
“In my five years at Rice, Anne has been at my side championing the new vision and strategy for the division, fiercely believing we can always be better for our students,” said Yvonne Romero Da Silva, vice president for enrollment.
Walker has been instrumental in identifying opportunities for the university to increase its financial aid offerings, and her team created one of the country’s most generous and transparent financial aid initiatives, the Rice Investment. She has also successfully implemented additive merit and no-loan policies to help ease the expense of a college education.
On the industry level, she has been a member of the Financial Aid Standards and Services Advisory Committee of the College Board, served as president of the Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and a member of its legislative committee, served on the technical teams for the 568 Group and College Needs Analysis Roundtable, delivered a commencement speech for the Texas Guarantee Leadership Symposium and served as co-chair of the Consortium of Financing Higher Education financial aid retreat, among other leadership positions in the trade.
Walker and her husband Gregg have also been dedicated associates of Will Rice College.
“We have laughed together, cried together and conspired together to bring about important change to the division, the university and the profession,” Romero Da Silva said.