Money Matters

As students, thinking about how you handle your money is likely at the bottom of a very long list of responsibilities. In today’s world, with growing generational wealth inequality, personal finance education is a powerful tool that can change lives. It is not just about managing your money; it’s about gaining peace of mind knowing that you have the skills needed to make financial decisions with confidence.

Money Mondays

Where Fund Your Future Goes Live

Are you ready to take control of your financial future? Join our exclusive Money Mondays workshop series led by three experienced Money Mentors. They’ll demystify everything from credit cards and loans to taxes and insurance. Limited to the first 50 students to sign up, this comprehensive series is an in-person complement to the newly launched Fund Your Future platform. You’ll come with questions and leave with the confidence to make financial decisions right now. Complete at least five sessions to earn a Certificate of Completion and qualify to apply to become a Money Mentor, and you could be at the head of the class next year!

Money can be used to achieve many things, but what specific goals do you have in mind for it? During this first session, we encourage you to reflect on your personal life goals and your relationship with money, as these factors guide your financial decisions.

At this stage in life, you likely have a bank account, which is great. But are you aware of the many fees that banks can charge your accounts or the difference between accounts in the U.S.? These are just a few of the many important questions that we’ll explore.

A credit card can be a useful tool, a very expensive mistake, or both. This session breaks down how credit really works, what lenders pay attention to, and how to build a strong credit history without getting trapped by interest or minimum payments. By the end, credit should feel a lot less mysterious and a lot more manageable.

“Pay later” sounds great, until later shows up with interest, fees, and a bill you forgot about. In this session, we’ll break down loans, buy-now-pay-later, borrowing costs, and the fine print that can turn a convenient choice into an expensive one. You’ll leave knowing what to look for and what questions to ask before you borrow.

Life happens, and insurance is there for you when it does. In this session, we’ll cover how insurance works generally, plus take a closer look at Smith’s health insurance and what it covers. By the end, you’ll have learned how to make the most of the insurance you need!

Register for You, Protected.

Filing your taxes doesn’t have to be intimidating! This session breaks down what taxes are, why we pay them, and how the filing process works from start to finish.

Register for Panic-free Tax Zone.

We’ll wrap the series reflecting on your original goals and answering your final questions. Everyone who has attended at least five of the sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion, qualifying you to apply to become a Money Mentor.

Register for Consider it Official.

Mentors for Money Mondays

Maame Amoah ’28

Quantitative Economics major

As an international student who came to the U.S. at the age of 16, Maame often heard about financial tools she needed but never received clear, in-depth explanations. She understood these tools were important for her long-term financial security goal, yet she struggled to find guidance and a place to begin. Motivated by her own experience and financial knowledge gained over time, she now aims to guide all in finding the information needed to achieve their financial goals while creating a friendly and welcoming space.

Faithrose Daniel ’27

Statistical & Data Sciences major; Government minor; Collaborative Innovation concentrator

Hi! I’m Daniels, and I’m studying statistical and data sciences and government, with a concentration in Collaborative Innovation. I became a Money Mentor because I think money is one of those things we’re all expected to magically know how to manage, even though most of us were never actually taught how. I love making conversations about money feel less intimidating and much more practical, whether that’s figuring out a budget, understanding credit, saving for something exciting, or simply answering the financial questions you’ve been too scared to ask. I’m especially interested in the way finance, data, policy, and entrepreneurship can come together to create opportunities for people and communities.

Maggie McCaffrey ’28

Biochemistry major (pre-med)

Maggie is a junior from Portland, Oregon, studying biochemistry on a pre-med track. She was introduced to financial literacy topics during COVID by an organization led by college students (Females for Finance). That knowledge propelled her confidence around money. Now, she is proud to be in a position similar to that of those students. She is excited to help her peers gain independence and security through financial literacy.

Money Mentors

Smith’s Financial Literacy Empowerment Fellows—Money Mentors—are trained in the basics of personal finance (budgeting, saving, debt management, and wealth building) and develop skills to help your peers to take steps on their personal finance journey confidently.

What We Offer

  • Individual appointments with trained peer financial coaches
  • Assistance with identifying, setting, and making a plan to achieve your goals
  • Tools for budgeting and SMART money management

What You Can Expect

  • to be treated with respect
  • to keep all conversations confidential
  • to be listened to without judgment
  • to be provided guidance, not advice
  • to receive a response to email inquiries within 48 hours

Submit your application by November 13!

Are you a humanities student passionate about financially empowering your community? Or are you perhaps a social scientist who wants to apply your knowledge of human behavior to help your peers build long-term financial stability? Or might you be a STEM major who wants to explore data-driven solutions for the financial well-being of yourself and others? The Money Mentors program needs you.

Through intensive in-person and online training, you will learn to connect personal money values with life goals, build confidence in navigating the U.S. financial system, and understand the steps to take towards long-term wealth building for yourself and your peers.

Current Mentors

Meet with a trained peer financial coach at Smith by making an appointment today.

Sabina Ali ’27

Quantitative Economics and Statistical & Data Sciences major

Hi! I’m a senior at Smith and excited to continue as a Money Mentor this year. Growing up in Ethiopia and later navigating college in the U.S. has made me interested in how people learn to manage money and make financial decisions. I enjoy making financial topics feel more approachable and creating a comfortable, judgment-free space to ask questions. Whether you have a specific financial goal or just want to talk something through, please feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to chat!

Wednesdays, 3–4 p.m.

Marla Amarsaikhan ’28

Quantitative Economics major; Global Finance concentrator

Hi! I’m a junior studying Quantitative Economics and Global Finance here at Smith. As an international student with a longtime interest in personal finance, I’m passionate about helping fellow Smithies start their own path to financial independence. Please feel free to reach out. Always happy to help!

Headshot of Marla Amarsaikhan wearing round glasses and a plaid blazer.

Jameson Brannon ’28

Economics and Spanish major

Away Spring 2027
Jameson, a junior from Dallas, Texas, is looking forward to continuing her work as a money mentor. After spending her past years working to become financially independent, she is thrilled to be a part of strengthening financial literacy around campus. Dedicated to creating a welcoming space for financial vulnerability, she takes care to ensure that her mentees feel comfortable throughout the interaction and can leave with their questions and concerns addressed.

Wednesdays, 4:30–5 p.m.

Sophia Dube ’27

Molecular Biosciences and Anthropology major

Sophia is a senior who was raised in Portland, Oregon, by immigrant parents. After hearing about her parents’ struggles to adapt to the complexities of U.S. financial systems, she made it her mission to educate herself on personal finance. Getting a credit card and starting investment accounts such as Roth IRAs and brokerage at 18 were just the tip of the iceberg for her, and becoming a Money Mentor has built a knowledge base where she is confident to help others. She’s excited to lead workshops and offer one-on-one sessions to help students feel more comfortable managing their financial health!

Thursdays, 1–1:40 p.m.

Camryn Hoffman ’28

Biochemistry major; Spanish minor

Away Spring 2027
Camryn, a junior from rural Vermont, has long been interested in financial wellness, and is ready to help fellow Smithies feel confident along their financial journeys. She has experience with credit and credit cards, IRAs, high-yield savings accounts, basic investing, and more. She understands how daunting it can be to tackle personal finances without familial support, and wants to ensure you feel comfortable and empowered to reach out for support when you need it. We’re here to help!

Mondays, 3–3:35 p.m.

Isabella Lee-Baldassini ’27

Government and Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality major

I am a senior pursuing a degree in Government and SWGS here at Smith. I have explored a long-held interest in women’s rights and advocacy in my studies, and I believe that everyone should have a chance at success with their finances. In my time with my fellow Money Mentors, I have come to understand how I can best create financial stability for the life I aspire to, and I hope to continue to share this knowledge to empower anyone I can! There isn’t a “one size fits all” to financial literacy and money, so I hope this can empower others to create their own financial goals.

Thursdays, 1–2 p.m.

Veronique Merker ’27

Quantitative Economics and Government major

Now a senior at Smith, I’m in my third year as a Money Mentor and have spent the last two years learning about personal finance, from budgeting and saving to credit, loans, and taxes. There’s a lot of information about personal finance out there, and most of it isn’t written with students in mind. I’m here to help you navigate these topics and connect you with reliable information and resources so you can make informed decisions that make sense for you and your financial goals.

Mondays, 6–7 p.m.

Demystifying Money: Investing

Let’s face it: most people don’t learn or talk about money. The Conway Center aims to change that. Addressing a crucial gap in our education, these workshops aren’t just about learning to build a secure financial future; they’re about making money conversations comfortable and safe for everyone. We will help you gain practical insights into managing your finances, explore how your money mindset shapes your financial choices, and master the art of making thoughtful money decisions. Instructor: former Smith mathematics professor Daniel Schultheis.

Schedule

All sessions are held on Fridays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the Conway Classroom (Neilson 103). Lunch is provided, space is limited to 40 people, and sign-up via the Smith Social Network is strongly encouraged.

February 6

Investment vs. Speculation

Investments always carry risk, so what separates an investment from gambling or random chance? We’ll set the record straight and build a solid foundation for our investing conversations throughout the spring.

February 13

Stocks and Bonds

Stocks and bonds are not the only investments, but they’re widely available and relatively simple to understand. Even if these aren’t your investments of choice, discussing stocks and bonds will help build the language to learn about other investments.

February 20

Costs and Risks

There are many ways to invest. Understanding the types of risk and your personal risk tolerance can help you find a style of investing that works for you. And understanding costs means that you can hang on to more of your investment returns.

February 27

Saving for Retirement, Part I

Retirement might seem impossibly far away, but the benefits of planning early cannot be overstated. We’ll talk about the importance of taxes and all of the nitty gritty about different types of retirement accounts.

March 6

Saving for Retirement, Part II

Retirement might seem impossibly far away, but the benefits of planning early cannot be overstated. We’ll talk about the importance of taxes and all of the nitty gritty about different types of retirement accounts.

March 27

Investing with Purpose

Investing is not a one-size-fits-all system. This workshop will focus on investing goals other than retirement, and how non-financial priorities can impact your plans and decisions.

Headshot of Katherine Metzger wearing glasses, a black top, and gold flower jewelry.

Student Spotlight

Katherine Metzger ’26

Quantitative Economics and Spanish & Portuguese double major

“I found a home at the Conway Center in my first year...Conway’s entrepreneurial student community pushed me to scale one of my ventures to five-figure profitability. As my business grew, Conway programming built my financial literacy confidence. I was empowered to invest while in college and able to buy my first home immediately after graduation.”

The Three C’s

Concentrations, Certifications, and Clubs

You can now examine the political and cultural factors at play in global markets and gain an understanding of how personal investment portfolios can have significant environmental, social, and governmental impacts.

The Conway Center is the institutional home for the Global Finance Concentration, which exposes students to the workings of global financial markets, their key institutional features, and the theoretical underpinnings of their design.

The Gateway

GFX 100 Introduction to Global Financial Institutions

Smith faculty, alumnae industry professionals and scholars in the field provide an overview of the financial system and the role of financial institutions in the global economy; domestic and international regulation; domestic and international banking. Offered each Fall; 1 credit; S/U only.

Required Elective

ACC 223 Financial Accounting

The course, while using traditional accounting techniques and methodology, focuses on the needs of external users of financial information. The emphasis is on learning how to read, interpret and analyze financial information as a tool to guide investment decisions. Concepts rather than procedures are stressed and class time will be largely devoted to problem solutions and case discussions. A basic knowledge of arithmetic and a familiarity with a spreadsheet program is suggested. 4 credits; not more than four credits in accounting may be counted toward the degree.

Bloomberg Terminal Certifications

As a student entering a rapidly changing economy and geo-political climate, you need every edge you can get. Knowledge of and experience using the Bloomberg Terminal is that edge.

Bloomberg is a terminal-bound financial services platform that provides analysis and quotes for equities (stocks) and indices, global company and economic data, real-time and historical industry and market news, and advanced analytical and data functions. It is the standard in the financial services industry.

Bloomberg Finance Fundamentals (BFF) is a self-paced, interactive e-learning course that provides an introduction to the key concepts involved in finance and investment. Throughout the course, you’ll explore real-life scenarios through the perspectives of various professionals, helping you to manage your money and build an understanding of the different careers available across the finance sector. It takes approximately 10 hours to complete.

Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), also known as Bloomberg Certification, is a self-paced e-learning course that provides a visual introduction to financial markets and the core functionality of the Bloomberg terminal. It takes approximately eight hours to complete.

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Certificate offers insights for weaving ESG considerations into business and investment strategies. Delve into the foundational elements of ESG, understand the influence of shareholder activism on corporate practices, navigate ESG management across various corporate life stages, and master the essentials of ESG reporting for companies committed to these fundamental values. It takes approximately 12 hours to complete.

Reserve the Terminal

Important Note: Since there is only one Bloomberg Terminal, we ask that students use it only during your scheduled time.

  • Smith College Consulting Club (SCCC)
    Smith College Consulting Club prepares students for consulting careers across various sectors, from healthcare to technology to non-profit to finance. All majors and experience levels are welcome! Consultants, like doctors of the business world, assist organizations by diagnosing management and business problems, identifying opportunities, and implementing transformative changes. Our members gain experience and practice problem-solving and creativity through collaboration and networking sessions. This year, we're excited to have case workshops, employer information sessions, alumni panels, and case competitions! Interested? Follow our Instagram @scconsultingclub, connect on LinkedIn (Smith College Consulting Club), or email consultingclub@smith.edu. General board meetings are biweekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
  • Smith College Investment Club (SCIC)
    The Smith College Investment Club offers students a hands-on way to learn about finance and investing. Through weekly meetings, industry research, and managing a real investment portfolio, members build practical skills in financial analysis, market research, and decision-making. The club also provides opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and teaching, with roles like sector heads and educational session leaders. Open to all Smith College students, the Investment Club welcomes all experience levels and aims to create an inclusive, engaging space for exploring the markets and preparing for future careers in finance, business, and related fields.