JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

Eric Zarnikow Named Executive Director
Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Monday, February 27, 2012

Chicago – Eric Zarnikow has been named Executive Director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Commission Chairman Kym Hubbard made the announcement noting “Eric has the experience and qualifications critical to guiding the agency through its current challenges and to expand efforts to help Illinois students obtain a postsecondary education and the skills necessary for 21st century jobs.”

Eric is a former Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he led the Office of Capital Access, responsible for all of the agency’s programs and operations concerning financial assistance to small businesses, 800 employees and a $90 billion loan and investment portfolio. Prior to his work with the SBA, Eric spent over 20 years in the private sector working for two Fortune 500 companies including The ServiceMaster Company where he attained the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and Treasurer. A CPA, Eric started his professional career at Deloitte. He is also Board Co-Chairman of a national 501(C) (3) not for profit organization.

“There is no job more important than helping Illinois students fulfill their academic aspirations,” said Zarnikow. “I look forward to working with the ISAC team of financial aid and outreach professionals in support of Governor Quinn’s 60x25 goal – that 60 percent of Illinois adults have a meaningful career certificate or degree by 2025.”

Ms. Hubbard also thanked John Sinsheimer for his service as interim Executive Director. “John stepped in during a difficult time of change and transition,” she said. “The Commission appreciates his efforts to stabilize the agency and maintain its focus on fulfilling our mission.”  

Since 1957, the Commission has provided more than $9.1 billion in grants, scholarships, and non-loan aid, and made more than 4.8 million in awards to Illinois students and families. In addition to the agency’s traditional role of administering grants, scholarships and a prepaid tuition program, the ISACorps, a team of 80 recent college graduates, provides near-peer mentoring to high school students and their families about how to plan, pay and obtain a postsecondary education.