From Brookdale to Statewide Impact: Alum Advocates for Students Through HESAA Advisory Role

A Brookdale Community College alum is helping shape the future of student financial aid in New Jersey, ensuring that student voices are heard where it matters most.

After graduating from Brookdale in 2025, Angelina Koenig has continued her academic journey at Rider University, where she is pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in writing and a minor in marketing. Alongside her studies, she now serves on the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) Student Advisory Committee (SAC), a prestigious statewide group that provides direct input on financial aid policies.

Established by the HESAA Board, the SAC brings together undergraduate students from colleges and universities across New Jersey to offer feedback on the programs and regulations that impact student financial aid. The committee ensures representation from across higher education sectors, including community colleges, public universities, and independent institutions, and serves as a vital link between students and policymakers.

Koenig’s path to this role began at Brookdale, where she found both opportunity and direction.

“As a first-generation college student, Brookdale was the right choice for me, especially for financial reasons,” she said. “It gave me the foundation I needed not just academically, but personally.”

While at Brookdale, Koenig immersed herself in campus life. She worked in the Financial Aid Office as a student ambassador, participated in the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program, and took on leadership roles as public relations manager for the Creative Writing Club and editor for the College’s literary magazine, Collage. She also volunteered at campus events and even spoke on a student panel at an Open House.

That hands-on experience, particularly in financial aid, proved transformative.

“I didn’t think I would ever work in financial aid,” Koenig said. “But it gave me so much knowledge and confidence. It helped me understand how to navigate college decisions and ultimately led me to stay in-state for affordability.”

It was also what led to her nomination for the SAC. Encouraged by mentors at Brookdale, she applied and was selected to join the committee in 2025.

Now serving alongside students from institutions across the state, Koenig helps represent the perspectives and needs of her peers. The committee meets regularly with HESAA staff, gathers student feedback through surveys and outreach, and contributes to discussions that influence financial aid policies statewide.

“The goal is to represent students, what they understand about financial aid, what they don’t, and what they need,” she explained. “We’re having real conversations about uncertainty, access, and how to better communicate resources.”

Although still early in her tenure, Koenig has already seen the impact of the committee’s work.

“We’re able to see data from student surveys and use that to guide things like webinars, resources, and outreach,” she said. “It’s exciting to know that even as a student, you can help shape something bigger.”

The experience has also reinforced the importance of student advocacy, something she encourages others to embrace.

“Ask questions. Get involved. Advocate for yourself,” she said. “That’s how opportunities like this happen.”

Looking ahead, Koenig plans to pursue a career as a technical or professional writer, combining her passion for writing with her growing interest in marketing and communication.

Reflecting on her journey, she credits Brookdale for helping her take the risks that shaped her future.

“I’m most proud of taking chances I wouldn’t have taken before,” she said. “Brookdale made me more confident, more independent, and more willing to step outside my comfort zone.”

From a first-generation student finding her path to a statewide advocate influencing financial aid policy, Koenig’s story is a powerful example of how Brookdale students continue to make an impact on campus, across New Jersey, and beyond.

Students interested in following a similar path will soon have the opportunity to apply. The HESAA Student Advisory Committee operates on a one-year term, running from July through June, and begins with a mandatory orientation each summer. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are currently open, with a deadline of April 24, 2026. Members are selected based on their experience, engagement, and familiarity with financial aid, and are expected to actively participate in meetings and serve as a bridge between students and policymakers across the state.