Ellen Segarra has served as a Financial Aid Administrator at the Manhattan School of Music since 2022, and in July 2024, she was promoted to Director of Financial Aid. With a decade of experience in higher education, including eight years focused on Student Financial Services, Ellen has developed a passion for helping students and families navigate the complex world of financial aid. As a third-generation Puerto Rican/Cuban and the first in her family to pursue a graduate degree, she finds fulfillment in using her role to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, ensuring students and families feel supported during what can often be an overwhelming process.

Ellen’s academic background in Psychology and English Literature informs her work, blending analytical precision with a deep understanding of the human experience. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including NYSFAAA, NASFAA, and EASFAA, where she contributes to the ongoing discussions around financial aid policy and best practices.

Committed to giving back to her community, Ellen regularly volunteers, including performing at Bharati’s Foundation food drives in the Bronx and participating in the Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen at All Saints Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, singing karaoke, watching movies, and presenting research on fairy tales—particularly *Beauty and the Beast*—at the Popular Culture Conference, which she attended in 2019, 2020, and 2021.