Jone Zieren’s office is littered with more than 30 years worth of printed papers, old news releases and federal guidelines for FAFSA applications.

After navigating the catacombs of her office from the stacks of work, the director of the Office of Financial Aid sat at her desk dressed in Eastern gear, smiling and apologizing about the mess.

“The work really never ends,” she said and peaks through the valley between the mountains of papers on her desk.

But on April 30, Zieren will no longer have to sort through the required work of the director as her retirement takes hold.

“I guess I’m just ready for new opportunities in my life and I’m ready to move on,” Zieren said. “I’m at that point in my life where I’m ready for a change.”

Zieren, who has worked at Eastern since 1977, notified administrators of her retirement in October. Prior to Eastern, she worked at Lakeland College for two years.

Over the course of her numerous positions in the department, Zieren has seen the school move from touch-tone phone registration for classes to Internet technology. She has seen the amount of scholarships and grants drop to “scary” lows and the amount of students needing aid soar. None of these things ever seemed daunting to Zieren, who said she has embraced every day of the job.

“Some people, before they retire, they start counting down the days and have the days all figured out, but I haven’t done that,” Zieren said. “I think it’s because I still have a lot of things that I need to – would like to – get done before I leave on April 30.”

Work projects such as student expense budgets, federal participation budgets and others – the very substance of the stalagmites in her office – take first precedent for Zieren. She said her day doesn’t involve thinking about the things she could be doing, because she still loves what she has.

“I mean, these are things I’m going to miss,” she said. “The contact with students, my friends on campus, my terrific staff and team atmosphere in the office are what I love about my job.”

Minor plans pop up in her future – housing projects, travel, family and friends – but really she hasn’t had time to think about the possibilities of her retirement.

“The retirement is scary but exciting,” Zieren said. “I haven’t had much time to analyze it but all my friends keep telling me that I will love it.”

Zieren’s position hasn’t been posted for hire yet, so the Office of Student Affairs has yet to see applications.

Jenny Sipes, who is working administratively to organize the committee for hire, said to expect the notice up within the next two weeks.

But, Zieren does give the future new director some advice.

“The new director needs to put the students first and be open to listening to students and staff as far as improvements go,” she said.

She explained that she was leaving in an uneasy time for financial aid. Limitations on state scholarship programs such as the MAP Grant could prove difficult for the new director. The continuous growth of students needing aid and increased reliance on loans will also provide a pitfall in the new reign.

“But, I hope that things will turn around and there will be a shift from reliance on loans to more scholarships and grants,” she said.

Zieren said she does not know if she would be involved with the training of the new hire because she is not sure when they would be approved by the committee.

“But, I do know I look forward to cleaning up this mess for them,” she said with a smile.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or at ksmoya@eiu.edu.