Financial Literacy Platform Launched at College: Empowering Students to Take Control of Their Finances

Addressing the Need for Personal Finance Education

In a groundbreaking move to bolster students’ personal finance literacy and bridge the financial education gap, a new financial literacy platform has been introduced at the College. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Center for Learning in Action (CLiA) and Kindros, a public benefit organization dedicated to expanding access to personal finance education, aims to equip students with essential knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.

The Genesis of the Initiative

The driving force behind this initiative is Brad Bissell ’86, a retired financial analyst with almost three decades of experience in the financial services industry. Bissell, having observed the lack of personal finance education at the College, felt compelled to address this gap. He joined forces with Stephen Martiros, founder of Kindros, who shares a passion for empowering individuals with financial literacy. Martiros’s upbringing, where his parents instilled smart financial choices despite not attending college, further fueled his desire to create a comprehensive learning system for personal finance.

Introducing the Kindros Platform

The Kindros platform offers a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of personal finance, ranging from credit scores to retirement savings. Designed to be accessible and user-friendly, the platform allows students to navigate the modules at their own pace and skip topics they are familiar with. Teanna Bucci ’26, a student outreach associate at CLiA, completed the course and highlighted its efficiency and relevance, emphasizing that it was time well spent.

Fulfilling LISA’s Mission

Bucci, as a co-founder of the Low-Income Students Association (LISA), recognized the importance of financial literacy for students from low-income backgrounds. LISA was established to provide a supportive community for students facing similar challenges. Bucci emphasized that Kindros can bridge the knowledge gap and empower students from diverse financial backgrounds.

Addressing a Critical Need

While the College offers a wide range of economics and finance courses, there has been a noticeable lack of resources specifically tailored to personal finance management. Bissell and Consolini, Director of CLiA, acknowledged this gap and expressed hope that the new platform will fill this void. They emphasized that personal finance education is crucial for all students, regardless of their financial background.

Volunteer Efforts and Collaborative Impact

Aimee Reische, a volunteer financial literacy consultant for CLiA, has witnessed firsthand the need for financial literacy among both students and community members. She volunteers alongside students enrolled in the Winter Study course “Volunteer Income Tax Assistant” to help individuals with their annual tax preparation. Reische expressed her desire to provide more comprehensive financial education during these interactions, highlighting the valuable insights offered by the Kindros platform.

A Platform for Empowerment and Capacity Building

Consolini expressed optimism that the financial literacy program will not only enhance students’ personal finance skills but also empower them to share their knowledge with others. She envisions a ripple effect where students can contribute to broader financial literacy within their communities. The platform’s availability is seen as a positive step towards building student capacity and fostering financial responsibility.

Conclusion

The launch of the financial literacy platform marks a significant milestone in the College’s efforts to equip students with essential personal finance skills. This initiative addresses a critical gap in education and provides students with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives. With the Kindros platform, the College aims to empower students to navigate their financial journeys confidently and contribute to the financial well-being of their communities.