FAIRFIELD, Conn.—In an effort to raise awareness about financial literacy for first-generation college students, undergraduate students in Mark Congdon Jr.’s classes and students in Robert Chatt’s classes at Westfield State University (WSU) collaborated on a public awareness campaign, the “Uniting Hearts” initiative. Students in SHU’s School of Communication, Media & the Arts (SCMA) strategic communication & public relations master’s program also helped the cause.
The SHU and WSU students teamed up with the Multicultural Center, Public Relations Student Society of America(PRSSA) chapter, Office of Volunteer Programs & Service Learning, Office of Graduate Student Affairs and MBA programat SHU and WSU’s TRIO Support Services Program and The Hord Foundation on the project.
The campaign, “Uniting Hearts: Paving the way to Financial Freedom,” will include initiatives to foster dialogue about how to become financially responsible and provide suggestions for putting those ideas into action. The two-week campaign runs from Nov. 10-18. Various educational opportunities and interactive events will take place throughout the month to encourage campus engagement around the topics of budgeting, credit scores/credit history, student loan management and retirement planning & investing. The goal is to educate students so they will be able to apply financially responsible behaviors in their future endeavors.
Those who are knowledgeable about financial literacy are more likely to stay out of debt, save money and make the right investments. A survey conducted by the Certified Board of Financial Planner revealed that 62% of people who use a budget feel more in control of their finances. A study on Collegiate Financial Wellness also found that, “First-generation students are significantly more likely than continuing-generation students to use loans, scholarships, credit cards and wages to finance their education.” This highlights the need for first-generation college students to understand the importance of how to manage their finances and learn how to implement financial responsible behaviors.
The events are broken down into three categories: educate, motivate and participate. The vision of the campaign is to bring communities together, examine what are financially responsible behaviors, challenge systemic classism, racism and sexism embedded in society that contribute to financial illiteracy and acknowledge the need for individual and collective change.
“It is important for first-generation students to understand the concepts of loans and how they work,” said Mykala Ashline, senior communications major at SHU and a student in the advertising & PR writing course. “It will provide the access they need to be ahead of the game and can help lead to a more sustainable financial future.”
“This multi-institutional campaign will allow us to spread awareness on how to be more financially responsible and encourage all to reflect on our behaviors,'' said Chatt, assistant professor of finance at WSU.
Five different events and panel discussions held by SCMA and WSU students, community professionals and alumni will take place during the month:
- Nov. 10, at 7 p.m.—Food for Thought: A Cultural Kickback & Discussion on Food Insecurity and Food Budgeting at Thea’s Abbey with live-stream available on SHU’s Multicultural Center’s Instagram
- Nov. 11, at 8 p.m..—watch party discussion of The Banker at the Frank & Marisa Martire Center for the Liberal Arts, room W114
- Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.—a Zoom panel discussion on the “Domino Effect: Examining the $1.7+ Trillion Student Loan Crisis”
- Nov. 17, at 8 p.m.—a hybrid watch party discussion of Saving Capitalism on Zoom and in-person at the MartireCenter, room W120
- Nov. 18, at 8 p.m.—on Zoom for Financial Literacy Trivia Night with opportunities to win prizes
“The Uniting Hearts Initiative showcases the collective power of community engaged in the of advancing the mission and purpose of higher education,” said Robert Johnson, director of multicultural affairs at SHU.
Congdon, assistant professor of communication studies, added that “getting students to think about how they can apply the content of their learning to help the broader community advances both SHU’s and WSU’s social justice mission.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the interconnectedness of our systems and exacerbating the financial struggles that many students and families are experiencing, it’s a pivotal time to connect students with the resources to understand key elements of financial literacy that will guide them to be financially successful in the future, organizers said.
For more information on the campaign’s upcoming events, visit the Pioneer Planner calendar or the fall 2021 Uniting Hearts Program of events website.
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About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 387 Colleges–2022 Edition, “Best Northeastern” and Best Business Schools–2021 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
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About Westfield State University
Building on our founding vision as the first college in America offering an education without barriers of race, gender, or economic status, Westfield State University is a public institution offering accessible quality undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Westfield State has a diverse body of about 5,400 students who attend the University. Westfield State University’s 256 acre campus lies just west of Springfield in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, surrounded by mountain views and tree-lined streets. Our welcoming community focuses on student engagement and success. We contribute to the economic, social, and cultural growth of the northeast region by developing the knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens. Westfield State University is among top public universities in U.S. News & World Report’scollege rankings, and ranked as one of the "Best Value Colleges and Universities" in the nation by College Consensus. Westfield State is also ranked as the #1 Most Affordable College with Best Outcomes in Massachusetts, according to 24/7 Wall St. https://www.westfield.ma.edu