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 M. LEE
Principal Financial Aid Consultant
Chris brings over 20 years of experience in higher education, spanning both proprietary and nonprofit institutions. He possesses 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 and process optimization, policy and procedure development, training and development, and project management. Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in General Management from the University of Arkansas Grantham.
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 the United 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. His notable positions include:
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Vice President of Financial Aid, Compliance and Services | Interim Campus President
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Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid Training & Corporate Development
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Director of Financial Aid Training, Compliance & Services
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Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Services
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Corporate Financial Aid Compliance Officer
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."