ABOUT US

Synergy & Associates (Synergy) offers innovative and strategic consulting services for higher education institutions and postsecondary training facilities. Our consultants, seasoned and trusted industry experts, bring over 40 years of combined experience in campus operations, academic and financial aid administration, institutional compliance, and management of single and multi-campus institutions and training facilities.

Our extensive technical and practical hands-on experience with various application systems (e.g., SIS, LMS, FSA, Enrollment Manager (formerly VA-ONCE), military portals, ETPL sites for WIOA-eligible programs) enables us to provide comprehensive and practical solutions to our clients. This emphasis on practical solutions reassures our clients and instills confidence in the outcomes we deliver.

At Synergy, our unwavering commitment to upholding the highest integrity and ethical and professional standards is the cornerstone of our mission. We believe in creating purposeful partnerships and helping institutions mitigate risks to achieve their objectives. This dedication to integrity and ethical standards should reassure you of our trustworthiness and reliability, fostering a strong and trustworthy professional relationship.

The Team

40 + Years of Collective Experience in Higher Education

Chris Lee

Principal Financial Aid Consultant

Chris brings 20 years of experience in higher education across both proprietary and nonprofit institutions. He has extensive knowledge in institutional compliance, including Title IV (Federal Student Aid), VA Education Benefits, DOD Tuition Assistance Programs, and non-Title IV Student Assistance Programs. His expertise also encompasses Business Analysis & Process Optimization, Policies & Procedures Development, Training & Development, and Project Management.

Before founding Synergy & Associates, LLC in 2018, Chris began his career in 2002 as the Director of Financial Aid at a private trade school in Nevada. Throughout his career, he has worked in postsecondary education at various institutions across states including California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, and Texas. He has held several leadership roles, such as Chair of a Catalog Committee, and has successfully led numerous initiatives and projects, including positions like:

Corporate Financial Aid Compliance Officer

Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Services
Director of Financial Aid Training, Compliance & Services
Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid Training & Corporate Development
Vice President of Financial Aid, Compliance and Services
Interim Campus President
Chief Financial Officer (Commercial Services company)

Anne Hope

Senior Consultant

Anne possesses over 20 years of extensive experience in higher administration and management within public, private, and nonprofit institutions. Her areas of expertise encompass federal student aid (including initial institutional eligibility), Title IV compliance audits, program reviews, student accounts, both institutional and programmatic accreditation, catalog reviews, distance education, institutional compliance, and all facets of student services. Additionally, Anne provides training in key areas such as verification, file review, accreditation, online practices, and staff development.

Earlier in her career, she served as a sports newspaper columnist, college professor, and NCAA Division I college basketball coach. She is also the award-winning author of "Bent Pages."

OUR SERVICES