On Saturday, November 9, Trinity University’s Neidorff School of Business (NSB) welcomed Upward Bound high school students to campus for the 3rd annual Financial Literacy Day. The event brought together 45 Upward Bound students from four local high schools, along with 25 Trinity student volunteers.
While accounting professor Amy Foshee Holmes, Ph.D., coordinates this annual event, she says it is only possible through a team Trinity effort. Classes during the day were taught by NSB faculty members Ashley Douglass, Ph.D.; Amy Foshee-Holmes, Ph.D.; Jennifer Large, Ph.D.; Ian Liu, Ph.D.; James Maxey, MBA; Stephen Stewart, Ph.D.; and Business Advisory Council member Faisal Khan ’98. The event ended with round table discussions with Faisal Khan; NSB alums Allison Wolff ’20, M’21 and Jason Mihalski ’20, M’21; and local finance professionals Juan Sanchez, CPA, and Sandra Montoya. Support staff Dena Warneke and Hanna Kuykendall took care of the details to ensure a successful event.
The goal of Financial Literacy Day is to bring together NSB volunteers and Upward Bound high school students to show them a day in the life of a college student.
"Financial Literacy Day allows Trinity faculty to give the Upward Bound students an idea of the college environment and brief insight on selected topics," Maxey says. "More importantly, this is a day where Trinity students can speak candidly about college and their experiences."
Throughout the day, the Upward Bound students attended classes on financial planning, money management, budgeting, computer skills, and even a digital escape room to learn about income taxes.
"My perspective was changed dramatically, especially in the personal finance class," says an Upward Bound student. "I never thought to equate my time to the money I spend. It made me a lot more financially conscious."
"Teaching finance is essential for a community that may struggle with being money conscious or not knowing how to deal with their finances," shares another Upward Bound student. "Being more informed can lead to better financial dependency in our community."
While the event centers around financial literacy, Financial Literacy Day presents a unique opportunity for the University to strengthen its relationship with the local community by showing prospective students that Trinity is invested in their success even before they become a Tiger.
"As a first-gen myself, I know the importance of helping others and building community. My life has been transformed through education; it's the magic that can take you places you never dreamed of before," Foshee Holmes says. "Through this event, we are creating magic by encouraging Upward Bound high school students with a glimpse of college life."
Photos by Fredric Marmolejo ’25, a Trinity University art and communication double major.