In her new role, Bryan will have oversight of FAS, which awards more than $1 million annually to PC(USA) students pursuing undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees.
Housed in the PC(USA)’s Office of Vocation — a joint ministry of the General Assembly Council (GAC) and the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) — staffing for Financial Aid for Studies was reduced from three positions to two as a result of the March 27 meeting of the GAC. Bryan, who now leads the team of two, rose to the position formerly held by Frances Cook, who retired in December 2008.
“What has always impressed me about Laura is her heart for students, her attention to detail and her ability to think creatively and use current technology in the responsible and efficient use of the church’s funds to help students,” said Marcia Clark Myers, director of the Office of Vocation. “In a time of diminishing resources, we really need people who are adaptive and creative, and Laura is all that.”
Following a five-year tenure in the United States Air Force, in which she last held a senior position in health care administration, Bryan returned to her native Louisville in the spring of 1996, where she applied her keen information management skills in the PC(USA)’s former stewardship office. In 2000, she was promoted to program assistant for student loans in FAS, to which the work of graduate grants was also eventually added.
To learn more about financial aid programs offered by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or to make a gift to help educate Presbyterian leaders for tomorrow, visit www.pcusa.org/financialaid/ .
