The Division of Enrollment Services and Student Success is thrilled to announce that Alex Liebhaber, Project Administrator for Scholarships in the Office of Student Financial Aid, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Philo Brasher Emerging Leadership Award by the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (AASFAA).
This prestigious recognition, commonly known as the “Rookie of the Year” award, is presented annually to an AASFAA member with fewer than five years of experience who demonstrates exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to student success.
Joining UCA’s Financial Aid team in 2023, Alex quickly distinguished himself through initiative, adaptability, and an unwavering dedication to supporting students. Despite having no prior financial aid experience, his customer service background and enthusiasm propelled him to lead critical initiatives, including managing the office’s phone bank during peak enrollment periods, mastering complex financial aid processes, and significantly contributing to the successful rollout of UCA’s new last-dollar scholarship program.
Promoted to his current role in summer 2024, Alex has continued to excel. He skillfully manages institutional and foundation scholarship awards, guides students through complex Scholarship Exceptions and Holds processes, and provides essential assistance to families navigating recent FAFSA policy and eligibility changes.
Reflecting on this recognition and his approach to leadership, Alex humbly emphasized the collective effort behind his success, saying, “It’s nice to feel acknowledged, but who would I be without those who have helped me along the way? Every single person in this office has been essential—I’m constantly leaning on their experience and guidance. Effective leadership, to me, means leveraging the incredible resources and knowledge around you, and I’m fortunate to work with such a dedicated team.”
Kimberly Stubbs, Director of Financial Aid at UCA and President of AASFAA, who nominated Alex, noted, “He is a servant leader who never hesitates to take a phone call or answer an email when needed, while also training other staff how to help the student as well by consistently teaching and training as questions arise. Most importantly, he makes a difference for students and families every day. In our field, that is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging parts of our job—and Alex does that without hesitation.”
Vice President for Enrollment Services and Student Success, Kevin Thomas, added: “Alex is truly a hard worker, and I hear from so many folks how much they enjoy working with him. His impact goes far beyond our office—he’s become a known and trusted colleague across campus.”
This recognition highlights UCA’s ongoing commitment to student success and our dedication to cultivating leaders who are passionate about advancing educational opportunities. The entire ESSS division congratulates Alex Liebhaber on this well-deserved award!