Webinars

Webinar Series

Previous Webinars

Virtual and In-person Experiential Activities and Field Research for Financial Wellness

September 21, 2021 at 1PM EDT

An engaging financial wellness learning environment requires experiential activities and field research. With a personal finance focus, these strategies also develop professional competencies, such as goal setting, creative problem-solving, team building, community mapping, case analysis, and interviewing to foster resilience. These activities may be adapted to programs offered by financial aid offices, financial wellness centers, student affairs offices as well as in-person and online class settings. Session participants will be provided with ready-to-use activities, resources, and guidance for implementing these strategies in varied program settings.

Presenter
Les Dlabay has taught money management and personal financial planning in high school, community college, university, and community education settings for more than 30 years. He has developed varied curriculum materials that includes authoring several personal finance textbooks. His instructional strategy places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, field research, and team projects for developing financial literacy and financial wellness.
Contact Les.

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Body Language: Communicating Beyond Words

August 3, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT

Reading people’s body language is not an exact science; however, studies have shown that non-verbal cues have significantly more influence than actual words spoken. In fact, body language and facial expressions register in the human brain almost immediately. The ability to understand students’ body language and other nonverbal signals is an extremely valuable asset to have in our wheelhouse of communication skills as financial wellness coaches and educators. Students are continuously giving and receiving wordless signals – the gestures they make, their posture, their tone of voice, how much eye contact they make. Body language can emote strong, silent messages. This webinar will explore how paying attention to your body language and the body language of others can improve your personal communication skills.

Presenter
PAUL F GOEBEL MBA, CPFM® is the founding and managing Director of the Student Money Management Center at the University of North Texas. Paul and his team of professionals, graduate assistants, and undergraduate peer mentors have worked tirelessly to streamline all money management education services under the oversight of one dedicated office serving as a single-entry point for the thousands of students seeking support, counsel, and advice. Under his leadership, the center has received numerous national, state, and institutional awards of excellence.

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What Schools Need to Teach Students About Financial Aid

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT

Financial wellness professionals deliver a wealth of programming to college students: budgeting, building credit, planning for large purchases, and much more. For as complex as these topics are, perhaps none are more complex than financing one’s higher education. As a result, this session will provide financial wellness professionals a clear set of lessons to pass onto college students as they attempt to understand their scholarships, loans, offer letters, and other financial aid communication.

Presenters
Alyssa Takatori is the Assistant Director of the Student Financial Management Call Center with Georgia State University’s Student Financial Services. She also assists with many communication initiatives for Student Financial Services. Alyssa has 13 years of higher education experience and has been employed by DeVry University and Beulah Heights University. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2007 from California State University, Northridge. In 2015 she received an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management.
Contact Alyssa.

Karla Weber is Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the School of Human Ecology’s Human Development and Family Studies program. She made her professional home in the Office of Student Financial Aid, first as an Advisor and the Front Desk Supervisor and now as the Communications Manager. She recently completed her Master of Science degree in Communications & Public Relations through Purdue University (but she’ll always be a Badger first 😊). Outside of her professional life, Karla enjoys volunteering with organizations like Dane County CASA, Madison Parks, and PBS-Wisconsin. She can spend just as much time with her partner, Josh, and dog-child, Nellie Mae, loving the outdoors as they can on their couch watching Netflix/Amazon/HBO.
Contact Karla.

Dr. Zach Taylor is an Institutional Support Consultant at Trellis Company where he works to support Minority-Serving Institutions in the U.S. South. He has worked in education for almost 15 years with many of those years advocating for people with disabilities and their rights to secondary and postsecondary education. He has published over 100 articles, chapters, and conference proceedings in peer-reviewed journals and has made over 250 presentations related to higher education communications and digital accessibility for people with disabilities.
Contact Zach.

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Your Financial Education Strategic Story

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT

A recent study found only 5% of attendees remembered a statistic after a presentation, while over 63% remembered a story. What's more, every member of your team has a unique and persuasive story to tell – one that can motivate your audience to stop glazing over and start leaning in. Because your strategic story has the power to make financial education more memorable and actionable by showing your audience why and how managing money directly affects our ability to live the life we want. Structure & Takeaways: Utilizing Colin’s 10+ years of professional speaking experience and his simple, memorable Strategic Story Sequence, you will learn (and practice!) dynamic communication techniques (humor, storytelling, and interaction) to engage your audience in productive conversations and increase turnout for your programs and events.

Presenter
Colin Ryan is the author of “A Comedic Guide to Money,” was named one of the top 10 money presenters in the U.S., and has spoken to more than 500,000 students and adults.
As a comedic financial speaker, Colin uses humor and storytelling to bring the dry but important subject of personal finance to life. His central message: your ability to manage your money directly affects your ability to have the life you want.

Colin has partnered with National Geographic TV and spoken at over 100 universities. In 2016 he won The Moth’s storytelling GrandSlam and has been featured on NPR, The Moth Radio Hour, and in Reader’s Digest. His comedy benefit series has raised over $150,000 for good causes.

Colin lives in Durham, North Carolina, and has been called ‘Hysterical’ by Seven Days, ‘Captivating’ by the National Jumpstart Coalition, and ‘A Special Boy’ by his mom.

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Engaging Gen Z in Financial Education

WEDNESDAY, April 14, 2021: 2:00 PM (ET)

Over the past decade, research and discussions have been focused on understanding millennials, however we need to switch to the next generation. Gen Z's are very different from their predecessor. They’re more digitally innate, entrepreneurial, visually stimulated, and have shorter attention spans than any other generation. Furthermore, they have a different approach to money and spending. Join this session to learn how to engage your Gen Z students in financial education.
Specific topics covered:
• Understanding characteristics and views of Generation Z
• Identifying learning styles and engagement strategies
• How to connect Gen Z with financial education

Presenters

Michiale Schneider, Senior Trainer, has over 35 years of experience in financial aid, enrollment management, and training. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor with the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) and holds a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo. A former financial aid director of financial aid, she has served in a number of leadership positions with various associations and has presented at the state, regional, and national conferences. Michiale has also served as a NASFAA trainer and member of the MASFAA Summer Institute faculty.
Contact Michiale.

Tasha McDaniel, Senior Trainer, has 27 years of experience in financial aid, admissions, student lending, and learning and development. She’s an Accredited Financial Counselor with the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). She’s also a certified Health and Wellness Coach and Behavior Change Specialist with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She’s presented at state, regional, and national conferences and has helped many schools implement default management initiatives.
Contact Tasha.

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Rightsizing Expectations: Defining the Personal Finance Ecosystem

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021: 3:00PM (ET)

The Personal Finance Ecosystem is a visual roadmap that lays out the foundation that underpins an individual’s level of financial well-being. It gives context to the elements that comprise and influence financial well-being and right-sizes expectations for what educational and behavioral influences, interventions and efforts realistically can achieve. It provides scaffolding for understanding the complexity of what it takes to build financial acuity, including the many components and systemic limitations in play. This framework can be used by program staff, individual practitioners, researchers and policy makers to understand how their work fits into the broader landscape and to recognize the value of the complementarity of approaches. When shared with clients or other adult learners, the roadmap helps contextualize why it’s not always so straightforward to achieve desired personal finance outcomes.

Presenters:

Amy Marty Conrad serves as the managing director, insight at the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). She joined the NEFE programs team in 2013. Conrad oversees the High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP), CashCourse, and Smart About Money, developing strategies to help educators and partners nationwide build more effective financial education classes and programs.
Conrad earned a master’s degree in marketing at the University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in journalism at the University of Florida. She holds an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) certification from the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). Her background is in communications and marketing for nonprofit and government organizations.AMarty@nefe.org

Raven Newberry is senior manager, insight at the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). She has supported the college program, CashCourse, since joining the team in 2014. In addition to helping guide curriculum and web development of NEFE programs, Newberry develops onboarding and training materials for NEFE’s school partners. She offers coaching calls to colleges and universities and prides herself on connecting people with the right resources and support.
Newberry earned her master’s degree in public policy from Vanderbilt University with a focus on K-12 to higher education pathways. Her undergraduate degree was in geography with a focus on urban planning from the University of Kentucky. Before coming to NEFE, she worked in college access in Wisconsin where she helped students navigate the often confusing and scary financial aid process. She is passionate about equitable access and demystifying money management in a non-judgmental manner.RNewberry@nefe.org

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TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

A research study surveyed groups of underclassmen students relative to their entry & exit-level financial knowledge within two distinct GenEd courses. The study sought to answer: What do students know about personal finance when they arrive at college?, What role do parents play in shaping that knowledge?, & If we teach financial wellness, will it better prepare students to navigate life in & out of college? Assessment tools, study results, & curriculum structure will be shared.

Presenters:Cathy Snyder, James Madison University

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

CFPB will discuss resources available to consumers during the COVID 19 pandemic. We will cover the CARES Act, managing debt, tips to protect your credit and additional resources to help stay on top of your finances during the pandemic

Presenters:Dr. Heather Brown & Brian Stone, CFPB

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

Over six years ago, Claudia Villicaña created and built the peer-to-peer financial wellness program at UC Berkeley from the ground up. Come learn from her experiences about what worked and what didn’t work as well as how the program functions now.

Presenters:Claudia Villicaña, University of California Berkeley

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TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020: 1:00PM (ET)

Lance Palmer will share tips and tricks that empower positive student financial behavior by focusing on student strengths and capabilities instead of student problems and weaknesses. In this session, you will see a short video demonstrating this approach in a non-clinical setting and discover solution-focused language exercises that you can take back to your financial counseling sessions or classrooms.

Presenters:Dr. Lance Palmer, University of Georgia

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TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

As institutions of higher education and financial aid and wellness offices are working through COVID-19, professionals are delivering digital communication across multimedia more rapidly than ever. Although student-focused communication is critical, ensuring that all people have equal access to information is of paramount importance during this crisis. The Americans with Disabilities Act holds Title IV institutions of higher education accountable for communicating equitably with people with disabilities, many of whom do not enjoy the privilege of physical distancing. As a result, institutions of higher education must practice web accessible communication to ensure all stakeholders access COVID-19 related communication equitable, complying with ADA and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This webinar will detail ADA-focused web accessibility guidelines, provide free software and resources, and outline best practices for practitioners looking to communicate in the most technologically equitable way possible.

Presenters:Zach Taylor, Trellis Company; McKayla Marois, University of Maine at Farmington

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THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020: 1:00PM (ET)

Are you a student interested in attending the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance Summit? Join us for a webinar on April 2nd at 1PM ET to learn what the Summit is and why you should consider attending, as well as discuss details around funding, transportation, and other logistics.

Presenters: Isaac Irvin, Indiana University; McKayla Marois, University of Maine at Farmington

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020: 2:00PM (ET),

As COVID-19 is presenting college campuses with considerable challenges, financial wellness programs on these campuses must maintain clear communications with students during this crisis. Students and other stakeholders are likely stressed, financially vulnerable, and eager to return to normalcy.

This webinar will outline best practices for crisis communication with students and how financial wellness programs can 1.) communicate effectively with students, 2.) share high-quality resources in culturally-responsive ways, and 3.) avoid information overload. The webinar will conclude with an open discussion to bring practitioners together and share ideas, resources, and narratives.

Presenters:Zach Taylor, Trellis Company

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020: 2:00PM (ET),

Very recently, states across the country have mandated that Title IV institutions of higher education send their students debt letters meant to inform student borrowing and improve student financial literacy. This session will provide an overview of debt letters from different institutions, as well as suggestions for practitioners to improve the composition and effectiveness of their debt letter.

Presenters:Zach Taylor, The University of Texas at Austin; Karla Weber, The University of Wisconsin-Madison

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020: 2:00PM (EDT)

Our office receives more questions about the topic of credit compared to any other. The questions reflect a lack of knowledge on the subject, often focusing on quick fixes to credit rather than building solid financial habits that translate to improved credit. Are we doing a disservice to our students with how we respond to their questions? Are we advocating students to make poor financial decisions with how we teach credit?

Yes we are.

Let’s start the conversation of teaching credit right.

Presenter:Phil Schuman, Indiana University

MEMBERS ONLY WEBINAR

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020: 1:00PM (EDT)

Campuses that have constructed financial wellness programs for their students have become the unexpected beneficiaries of less-stressed, more successful students. Hear lessons from Paul Goebel, director of the University of North Texas Student Money Management Center, on how to construct a program on foundations of “student success” and “financial wellness.” Safety glasses and steel-toed shoes optional.

Presenter:Paul Goebel, University of North Texas

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019: 2:00PM (EDT)

“If you build it, they will…” Well, probably not come. Even with the greatest programs, students still need more than self-motivation to take advantage of your information and services. Whether you are just starting out or have a robust financial wellness offering, you need to have a plan for marketing your program. This webinar will teach you how to create a marketing plan suited for your specific use case and that you can easily maintain and grow over time. As we work through the interactive session, you will review examples that help you build your plan along the way. Session attendees will walk away with tangible, proven ideas to take your program to new heights.

Presenter:Sara Wilson, Product Manager, Student Connections

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019: 2:00PM (EDT)

Given the growing complexities of the higher education industry, there seem to be competing priorities that make it challenging to obtain the resources and support that we need to take our personal finance education programs to the next level. Because Financial Wellness is a relatively new field, there are still growing pains within our industry. Many of our services started by passionate practitioners who decided to respond to a need. Strategic decisions around organizational structures and alignment of mission and goals were not always present in this process. This session will start the conversation around benefits and challenges of having financial wellness efforts come from different areas and how that might affect our field moving forward.

We’ll share how by combining a personal finance and career education curriculum into one program, an institution was able to better communicate the importance and interconnectedness of career success and financial stability, and ultimately capitalize on existing networks and gain stronger institutional buy-in by becoming part of our institutional brand.

Presenter:Jimena Huaco, Assistant Director, Talent Education Management, Champlain College

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019: 1:00PM (EDT)

In July of this year, The Summit Advisory Committee announced the roll-out of The Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA). This national alliance will provide online and in-person programming to assist practitioners, including a personal coaching program for staff to develop on-campus initiatives and other services to help improve students’ financial decision-making and reduce the impact of student loan debt and student financial stress.

During this webinar our Summit Advisory Co-Chairs, Phil Schuman and Bryan Ashton will provide more detailed information about membership benefits, timeline, and structure. They will also answer any questions you might have as existing or potential Alliance members.

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Campus financial education programs often ask, “How do you train peer educators?” Come learn training techniques that have seemed like well-kept secrets. Peer-to-peer is the pinnacle of education delivery methods but requires a robust training program to ensure its effectiveness. Come learn training approaches that are efficient to administer, ensure students become successful peer educators and provide students a leg-up in their transition into financial services careers. It’s a WIN WIN WIN!

Presenter:Jodi Kaus, Director of Student Financial Planning and Counseling Center at Kansas State University

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Trellis’ Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS) seeks to document the financial well-being of post-secondary students and provide institutions with a detailed profile of the financial issues their students face, some of which could potentially impact their success in college. In this session, the presenter will share findings from the Fall 2018 survey and discuss the context and implications of the findings for institutions. Student financial wellness topics covered include how students pay for college, attitudes on debt, basic needs security, student debt, academic goals, public assistance usage, and financial obligations to family. The SFWS is free for institutions to use, and Trellis is currently recruiting institutions to participate in the Fall 2019 semester implementation.

Presenter: Kasey Klepfer, Senior Research Analyst for Trellis Research.

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Webinars

Webinar Series

Previous Webinars

Virtual and In-person Experiential Activities and Field Research for Financial Wellness

September 21, 2021 at 1PM EDT

Body Language: Communicating Beyond Words

August 3, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT

What Schools Need to Teach Students About Financial Aid

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT

Your Financial Education Strategic Story

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT

Engaging Gen Z in Financial Education

WEDNESDAY, April 14, 2021: 2:00 PM (ET)

Presenters

Rightsizing Expectations: Defining the Personal Finance Ecosystem

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021: 3:00PM (ET)

Presenters:

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020: 1:00PM (ET)

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020: 2:00PM (ET)

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020: 1:00PM (ET)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020: 2:00PM (ET),

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020: 2:00PM (ET),

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020: 2:00PM (EDT)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020: 1:00PM (EDT)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019: 2:00PM (EDT)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019: 2:00PM (EDT)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019: 1:00PM (EDT)

Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance social media channels and contact information