Meet AJAC’s new Financial Aid Manager, Leo Vogel. Leo comes to AJAC with over 12 years of experience in financial aid which spans career/adult education, private university education, and public/state university education. Prior to joining AJAC, Leo was the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at the University of California San Diego where he worked closely with many underrepresented student groups including student veterans, undocumented students, and first generation students to assist them with obtaining the funding needed to reach their goals.
What is your proudest career moment?
I’ve had a lot of really great moments in my career but I’m going to lump all the small moments that are similar into my proudest moment. There have been countless times that a student or a parent has called or emailed or sent a card expressing how much the counseling and/or time spent with them helped them through this complicated process and allowed them to understand how they could afford achieving their goals. It may not seem like much, but those reminders of how impactful my work is on people’s lives is very rewarding and that’s the reason I try to help make it as easy as possible for students or apprentices to understand and navigate the application and awarding of financial aid funds. These funds are there to help make this journey easier for people – so removing as many barriers as possible is something I strive for every day.
If you could master one skill that you don’t have right now, what would it be?
Investing. I know that there is a big rise in average person investing with the ease of apps that have been developed, but I like to know and understand something before I do it. I think that knowledge of investing is something that should be taught to people in high school – as it’s such a big part of how the wealthy become even more wealthy and the average person never does. I was always taught to save money growing up – but the more I read the more I feel like I should have been investing money instead of putting it in a shoe box under my bed! I think that’s part of why it’s so exciting to work with AJAC. Helping people gain financial flexibility and get a good paying job is the first step to them having financial freedom. And with that freedom comes the ability to do things like invest or travel or buy a home – things that many of us aspire for but lack the ability to do in our current circumstance.
If you could bring one musician back from the dead who would it be and why?
John Lennon…and I’m not even a fan of the Beatles! My mom however grew up during the time of Beatle mania but she was too young and didn’t have the means to go and see them. It would be the ultimate gift for her – a lifelong dream to see John and Paul perform on stage together.
What would be your perfect day?
I love to golf and since this is a perfect day we’ll throw out reality. I think my perfect day would be to somehow get to play Augusta National with my dad, my grandfather who passed away a few years ago, and my son who is currently only 18 months old. Maybe finish the day with a big BBQ with family and friends coming over and The Highwayman playing live in the backyard.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
I get confused with Edris Elba, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and a lot of the other guys I saw when I googled “most handsome men 2021” 😊.
