Literacy in Financial Education (LIFE) Center
LIFE Center Graduate Assistant
August 2017 - May 2018 I was appointed a graduate assistantship position at EIU working in the LIFE Center under the supervision of Dr. Linda Simpson. The LIFE Center aims to increase knowledge and awareness about financial literacy. In this role I do promotional and marketing work, am a committee member, conduct one-on-one education sessions on financial literacy with undergraduate students, and do presentations around campus and out in the community. A big part of my role is creating and orchestrating the Spring Conference in spring 2018. In addition, I also do grading for some of Dr. Simpson's classes.
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Spring Conference
Every spring the Graduate Assistant plans a financial literacy conference. This year I decided to go a different route in hopes to get a better turn out at the conference. Rather than one day of presentations, I implemented a financial literacy series. The LIFE Center 2018 Spring Conference was a 3-day event titled, Financial Fundamentals. I worked diligently to secure 3 guest speakers for the conference, one of which was myself as my supervisor requested I present on the topic. Financial Fundamentals took place the week of March 26th. I secured rooms, dates, and times for all presentations! The series was covered in the Daily Eastern News and was published the week of the event as well. To promote for the event and increase attendance, I took the initiative to contact every department head at the university, all social and academic organizations, and every resident hall director. Additionally, I posted flyers around campus, promoted it on our Facebook page, and put information in faculty mailboxes. |
Dr. Linda Simpson, Executive Director of the LIFE Center, and I at Spring financial literacy series.
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Presentation topics will include:
I presented on "Money is Power: Budgeting Basics to Live Like a Millionaire" (presentation below) on March 26th. The Dean of the Graduate School, Ryan Hendrickson, even attended my session. The presentation I gave received the best turnout and school publicity, i.e. being featured online and in the school newspaper.
- Budgeting -- Practical Money Management Skills for Life as .a College Student
- Retirement Planning -- Learning the Importance of Saving for the Future
- Financial Aid -- The Ins and Outs of Financial Aid
I presented on "Money is Power: Budgeting Basics to Live Like a Millionaire" (presentation below) on March 26th. The Dean of the Graduate School, Ryan Hendrickson, even attended my session. The presentation I gave received the best turnout and school publicity, i.e. being featured online and in the school newspaper.
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WEIU Broadcast
I was on Issues & Attitudes, a 30-minute public affairs segment that addresses and dissects issues/events affecting people in Coles County. I sat down with Jeff Owens, WEIU FM/TV Manager, live on March 5th at noon, to discuss the LIFE Center, my work and interactions with students on the EIU campus, and financial and life planning basics that every young adult should possess. Click here to check it out.
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Newsletters
I create and send out a monthly newsletter to students via email. I choose various topics relevant to college students ranging from time management, budgeting, cooking and shopping for 1, credit cards and credit scores, and much more! I gathered student contact information from my tabling events across campus!
To reach a larger number of students, I suggested that we start uploading all of the newsletters, past and present, to the LIFE Center website. I worked diligently with the IT department at EIU to update and expand the website to include the newsletters, and learned how to upload the upcoming ones as they are developed. |
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Presentations
Another one of my many roles as Graduate Assistant is to give presentations to undergraduate classrooms, clubs, organizations, and retreats! Presentation topics include budgeting, time management, credit scores, life after graduation, etc. I also have had the opportunity to go out into the community and talk about EIU, the LIFE Center and other tips to being successful in college to the local high school.
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Advisory Board Meetings
The LIFE Center has a team of advisory board members from across the University holding positions in different departments, ranging from the Dean of the Graduate School, Deans of the School, department heads, and faculty. I plan and conduct advisory board meetings in the fall and spring semesters for the EIU staff and faculty that serve on the LIFE Center advisory committee. I contact them weeks in advance, create an appointment letter, an agenda and then run the meeting. We share updates on the LIFE Center, brainstorm ideas for future endeavors, and gather useful feedback from committee members.
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Recorded Lectures
As a way to reach a wider range of students, I decided to develop and implement a series of recorded presentations that I would normally present in person. These presentations have been developed, recorded, and posted on the LIFE Center website for anyone to access.
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Healthy EI(YOU) Campaign
I collaborated with two other Graduate Assistants--one at Campus Recreation as the Fitness Coordinator and one in the health resources department as Nutrition Promotion Coordinator--to create and conduct an 8-day campaign campus-wide. The goal of this campaign was to educate and inform EIU students on overall health and well-being. It takes place the first two weeks of November starting on November 2nd with a Kick-Off Showcase! Throughout the following eight days we will giving presentations for EIU students! We have created marketing materials and currently publicizing the event!
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Community Outreach
I have also had the opportunity to go out into the community and promote EIU as well as the LIFE Center. I spoke at Charleston High School to juniors and seniors about EIU, the LIFE Center, time management and budgeting! I believe both of these skills are essential for young adults to be successful in college.
The recorded lectures as mentioned above, are another great way to reach the community, more students, and even nontraditional students that do not live on campus. Our goal is to increase the number of people aware of the LIFE Center and utilizing our services.
The recorded lectures as mentioned above, are another great way to reach the community, more students, and even nontraditional students that do not live on campus. Our goal is to increase the number of people aware of the LIFE Center and utilizing our services.
Promotional Work
A major part of my role as Graduate Assistant for the LIFE Center is to promote the Center and the work that we do. I host tabling events around campus at dorms, dining halls, student centers, etc. I inform students on all the wonderful, free services the LIFE Center offers, have the sign up for our newsletter and I pass out some free goodies to them as well. I also take part in campus-wide exhibits such as the Health Fair, where I set up a booth for students to stop by and gain useful information!
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