By Sofia Montoya-Deck
The Hood College Wellness Office and George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business are partnering with M&T Bank to offer a financial literacy program for students.
The course will consist of weekly workshops on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, and Nov. 13. The sessions will be held in Rosenstock room 123.
Staff from M&T Bank will lead each of the weekly sessions, covering topics such as budgeting, managing loans and interest rates, investing, and a special topic of M&T Bank’s choice.
For the past three years, the Wellness Office has led financial literacy workshops in the spring semester in partnership with financial educators from the University of Maryland Extension. Due to popular demand, the Wellness Office decided to start offering classes in the fall semester as well.
“Thanks to our partnership with the George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business, this fall we will have staff from M&T Bank to lead a series of four financial literacy workshops,” Director of Wellness Amanda Dymek said. “Most of the class topics will be similar to what is offered in the spring, but we’ve added one new topic on preparing for home ownership.”
The financial literacy classes are open to all undergrad and graduate students. Students do not have to bank with M&T Bank to participate. “The information will be relevant for everyone,” Dymek said.
“Many students never get exposed to the basics of business, yet in their individual lives, everyone has to manage their finances,” Dean of the School of Business Mahesh P. Joshi said. “Keeping that in mind, the School of Business and the Wellness Office have joined hands with M&T Bank to get a basic introduction to personal finances for Hood College students. It’s free, but it’s value.”
M&T Bank will provide dinner at each session. Accordingly, pre-registration is important to provide an accurate headcount.
“Students will leave these four classes with a greater sense of independence and empowerment in managing their finances,” Dymek said. “Creating (and sticking to) a budget, saving for a specific goal, and understanding interest rates are not skills that we are all taught in school or at home, so these workshops will give participants a foundation to manage their money well.”
Students who attend all four classes will receive a certificate of completion courtesy of M&T Bank recognizing their participation in the Financial Literacy 101 series.
Those interested in joining the financial literacy course can register on Pergola Connect or email wellness@hood.edu.
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