Robert Sean Kniss
5835 Green Road, Haslett, MI 48840
Cell: (517) 896-5294   
E-mail: [email protected]



Work Experience
Financial Aid Officer                                                        June 2006 - Present
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

• Audit and review federal tax documentation and complete verification of federal tax documents.  Review financial statements for accuracy
• Responsible for program fund levels and staying within federal and institutional funding compliance

• Responsible for administering financial aid programs and meeting federal compliance guidelines.
• Manage all aspects of financial aid as the liaison for the MSU Office of Study Abroad, which operates the largest study abroad program in the nation among public institutions.
• Financial aid liaison for the MSU Dubai program.  Responsible for working with parents, students and other departments in order to help students participating in the program obtain necessary aid.
• Knowledgeable about all available financial aid programs, funds available for these programs, as well as requirements that student’s must meet to qualify.
• Work directly with parents and students to assist in understanding and acquiring financial aid; provide financial aid assistance throughout a student’s academic career.
• Give large group presentations to parents and incoming, potential or current students.

Admissions Advisor                                                         March 2005 – June 2006
Baker College of Owosso, Owosso, MI

• Responsible for recruiting adult and High School prospective students, scheduling all appointments and recruiting fairs, and maintaining enrollment of all students throughout their degree program. 
• Completion of all necessary financial aid forms and paperwork.
• Large group presentations at College Nights and Career Fairs.
• Facilitating Orientation programs for both students and parents.  
• Community involvement to increase public knowledge and perception of Baker College of Owosso.
• Planning, facilitating, and overseeing annual Baker College Financial Aid Seminar for high school students and their families.

Store Manager                                                              November 2004 – March 2005
Crusader Cash Advance, Jackson, MI

• Supervise employees to ensure store operates within corporate guidelines
• Responsible for marketing of the store, working with other businesses to create client base, delivering door to door materials, and handling radio station remotes to bolster business
• Provide payday advance loans for customers
• Work closely with the bank to ensure loans are recorded properly
• Handle collections when customer accounts becomes delinquent
• Daily operation of multiple store locations, including opening and closing duties

Store Manager/Sales Associate                                   July 2003 – January 2004
Lifestyles Hotspring Spas, DeWitt, MI

• Coordinated daily operations including opening and closing, staff scheduling and supervision, working with financing companies, and balancing the store budget

• Worked closely with the corporate office to ensure compliance with corporate guidelines
• Responsible for one-ninth of the revenue for the world’s largest Hotspring spa dealer
• Set records in sales for new employees in first three months of employment
• Responsible for complete sales process including financing, coordination of delivery and product installation

Production Assistant                                                     January 2002 - March 2002
Mid-Michigan Radio Group, Lansing, MI

• Produced commercials for broadcast during sporting events

• Position was eliminated due to contract of new radio personality

Sound Design Intern                                                      August 2001 - December 2001
Harvest Music & Sound Design, Lansing, MI

• Assisted office staff with various responsibilities including running errands, answering phones and filing paperwork
• Assisted with dialogue editing and foley artist on a major motion picture
• Sound Design projects: Super Sucker, Purple Rose Films, Dialogue editing & foley artist; Belle Tire Commercials, foley artist
  

Education

• Currently pursuing the Masters of Education program, Expected graduation 2011
  Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
• Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities, 2003
  Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
  Coordinated audiovisual engineering for three MSU student theatre productions

Honors & Organizations

• Michigan Student Financial Aid Administrators
  On the Board of Directors, serving as chair
  Michigan Student Financial Aid Administrators
  Special Achievement Award 2010
  Selected to participate in the Leadership Retreat 2009
• Boy Scout’s Life Scout honor, 1991

Here is a pdf version of my resume.