New Britain, Conn. – The American Savings Foundation board of directors announced the promotion of Heather Hokunson to Senior Program Officer for Scholarships. With 12 years’ experience at the Foundation, Ms. Hokunson oversees the American Savings Foundation Scholarship Program. She also works closely with community leaders, local high schools and colleges, and area youth programs to promote the Foundation’s scholarship program and other forms of financial aid for college and career education.
“Heather plays a vital role at the Foundation,” said Charles J. Boulier III, Chairman of the Board. “Our Scholarship Program supports over 400 local students each year, and Heather has managed the program’s increasing complexity as we strive to have an even greater impact for the students whose dreams these scholarships help to support.”
Heather Hokunson joined the Foundation in 2011 as Assistant Program Officer. She has assumed increasing responsibility for the management and administration of the Scholarship Program. In 2016 she assumed the title of Associate Program Officer, and in 2020 became Program Officer for Scholarships. Ms. Hokunson holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Central Connecticut State University. She is an active member of the National Scholarship Providers Association, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy scholarship affinity group, and the Connecticut Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators. Ms. Hokunson also serves on the advisory board for the New Britain High School Academies and on the Organizing Committee for the CCSU School of Business College to Career Summit.
A first-generation college student herself, Ms. Hokunson is passionate about supporting the next generation of students. She is recognized for streamlining the American Savings Foundation Scholarship application, growing the Foundation’s Summer Internship Program, and expanding the role the Foundation plays in both scholarship and financial aid outreach in the community. During Covid, Ms. Hokunson spearheaded various strategies to improve the Foundation’s flexibility and responsiveness to current scholars, including eliminating renewal deadlines and adding a mental health resource for our scholars. She also manages the ASF Scholar Alumni network and events, through which the Foundation remains connected with many of the nearly 3,000 current and past American Savings Foundation Scholars. Among these, ten past Scholars currently serve on the Foundation’s scholarship selection committee, and three Scholar alumni now serve on its board of directors.