Governor Perdue Applauds Appointment of Shelley Nickel to Serve as Executive Director of the Georgia Student Finance Commission

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue today applauded the appointment of Shelley Nickel to serve as the Executive Director of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is responsible for promoting and increasing access for students to education beyond high school by delivering financial aid information and related services and the administration of Georgia's nationally recognized HOPE scholarship program.

The agency also provides scholarships, grants, low-interest loans, service-cancelable loans, and loan guaranty services to residents of Georgia seeking financial assistance for education. The GSFC, as an independent state agency, reports directly to the Governor's Chief Financial Officer Hank Huckaby.

"Shelley Nickel is committed to the people of Georgia and our students who seek to further their education," said Governor Perdue. "I look forward to working with her to assist every Georgian in reaching their educational goals."

Since September of 2000, Nickel has served as special assistant to the chancellor of the Board of Regents, as a senior policy advisor. In that role, she supported the Board of Regents Board's strategic planning process, managed University System of Georgia (USG) presidential searches, and represented the chancellor on statewide advisory panels and work groups.

Prior to being named to that post, Nickel served as Budget Director for the Board of Regents, administering the USG's $1.7 billion budget.

From November 1985 until December 1996, Nickel held several policy analyst positions in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), both in education and economic development. In that role, she analyzed and recommended budget and policy initiatives and tracked relevant legislation.

From 1978 through 1985, Nickel held a variety of public policy positions in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Nickel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development in 1978, and a Master's of Public Administration in 1982, both from Penn State University.

Nickel resides in Roswell with her husband, Martin, and their three children: Daniel Heath (17), Katey Heath (14) and Matthew Nickel (17). They are active members of Roswell Presbyterian Church.