Effie Barnett began her career at DeVry University - Chicago in 1984, where she advanced to Director of Financial Aid. Effie then worked at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in 1990 and 1991 as an Institutional Review Specialist in Chicago, and Alternate Training Officer for the Chicago and Atlanta regional offices. She left ED to work at Northwestern University, and was the Director of Financial Aid - Chicago for twelve years of those sixteen years. After realizing that her heart belonged to public service, Effie returned to Federal Student Aid (FSA) in 2008 as an Institutional Review Specialist. She became an Institutional Improvement Specialist (IIS) in 2010 and remained in that position until becoming a Training Specialist in Spring 2020. Effie has processed eligibility and method of payment actions, resolved deficient compliance audits, conducted program reviews and new school visits, and developed and delivered training to school officials and FSA staff. As a Training Officer, Effie presents at Fundamentals of Federal Student Aid Administration workshops, FSA webinars and conferences. She develops training materials and provides technical assistance via AskAFed. Effie has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Sherwood Conservatory of Music, a Master of Project Management degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Effie loves training, community service, and public speaking. She has been a piano teacher, natural childbirth instructor, and reading tutor; chess club, fundraising, food drive, and holiday donations coordinator; and president of a local Toastmasters International club. Effie is a licensed amateur radio operator and has participated in community events as a communications volunteer. She enjoys playing piano, attending classical music concerts, reading, trying new recipes, and raising houseplants.