Brent Gage
Kelly Wesener
The NIU Foundation is offering hope for NIU students as they struggle with the challenges presented by our troubled economy.
In an effort to help, the foundation has provided support for the NIU Financial Literacy Initiative created in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The program is the sole winner of the foundation’s 2009 Venture Grants program.
The project, which strives to provide “financial survival” to students who are working to fund their education and manage their debt, is receiving $25,000 from the foundation.
Brent Gage, assistant vice provost for enrollment services, and Kelly Wesener, assistant vice president for student services, proposed the initiative as one answer to a call made by NIU President John Peters during his 2008 State of the University Address.
“A college education is expensive,” Peters told his audience. “Students and their families work hard to pay for their education, and they have every reason to expect us to do whatever it takes to help them leave here with a degree.”
“Helping students come to NIU and stay here is a high priority for the foundation,” said Mallory M. Simpson, president and CEO of the NIU Foundation. “This innovative program comes at a critical time given the economic crisis, and we believe it’s just one we can help.”
The initiative has three specific components:
A peer mentor program to guide students in need while providing other students who have taken classes in consumer protection and economics the opportunity to apply their knowledge as educators.
Centralization and coordination of existing debt management and financial education programs and services will include a user-friendly, intuitive Web site. Students can access educational tools, campus resources and outreach programs. They also can schedule mentoring sessions where they can have their questions answered in real time.
Coordination of the university’s already established outreach education efforts and enhancement those efforts with faculty research findings and proven methodology to bring relevant and time-sensitive fiscal education to students.
Venture Grants support excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the larger community. The funding is an investment in the imagination, intellect and dedication of NIU’s faculty, staff and students.