Marian Dill to leave Lee after 25 years

Marian Dill, director of financial aid at Lee University, is leaving at the end of May to be an institutional compliance specialist with Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). 

Dill was first introduced into the world of financial aid as a student assistant at her alma mater, Tennessee Wesleyan, before taking a full time position after graduation. Dill then moved to Cleveland State’s financial aid department as a financial aid counselor when she met Michael Ellis, who initially introduced her into the Lee University environment in 1998. 

While Dill’s undergraduate degree is in human services and her masters of education is in counseling, she uses her degree daily in preparing herself to have the skills to “serve and connect” with students and families. 

Dill herself was a federal student aid recipient in school. 

“So I definitely understand the struggle to pay and the challenge of figuring out how to make all the ends meet,” Dill said.

Dill became the director of financial aid at Lee University in 2013 where she has a hand in overseeing the processing of student’s aid and representing the financial aid team in various facets across campus and the world.

“It takes the entire team working to carry their piece of the financial aid puzzle and really my role is making sure we've got the right people, with the right training and the right skill set and the right resources to serve students,” said Dill. “It’s not just about the file. It's the people not the paperwork …” 

As Dill transitions into her new position with the THEC, she reflected on her time at Lee. Remembering her experience with global perspectives and recruitment. 

“I believe I will miss the team environment because we have such a close-knit family team here and we have been together for years. We are a long-term tenured team and we are really like family and that's not just a cliche,” said Dill. “I've considered it a blessing and an opportunity. And I cherish my time at Lee.”

“Marian Dill is truly an expert in financial aid. Her knowledge and experience are outstanding, but the thing I most admire is her commitment to our students. She works hard to investigate every possible source of aid to assist students. Marian has impacted thousands of students during her 25 years of service at Lee, and we will deeply miss her,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment, Shane Griffith told the Lee Clarion via email. 

Dill wants students to reach out and communicate about their financial struggles and questions so the office may work to help with insight and direction into the issue.

“[The financial aid staffers] have a heart for students and a passion to serve. And we may not be able to solve the problem for the students, but I believe we will be able to give them insight and tips and direction on what options they may have to explore and so my advice is reach out sooner rather than later,” said Dill. 

Dill’s last day is May 31. 

To contact the financial aid office, email finaid@leeuniversity.edu or call at (423) 614-8300.