As Generation Z comes of age, they are encountering a world in which life goals, such as homeownership, are much more challenging. At the same time, the rise of fintech is making the financial sector much more accessible to today’s tech-savvy young people.

Here to lead the way is the Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics, a leader in financial literacy education for today’s youth — and the broader community— in the diverse Southern California region.

Three members of the Titan family are on the front lines of financial literacy on campus and beyond.

Paying it Forward for Financial Literacy Education

For John Nguyen ’09 (communications), his desire to support financial literacy education arose from mentoring high school students planning a college education.

“I’ve seen how the lack of personal financial education has negatively impacted young people or limited their personal and professional growth,” he says. “Unlike academic education, in which you learn as you go, personal financial education requires you to learn before you go. It’s all about preparation and planning and knowing what to expect as you mature. We need to make sure that by the time a student graduates from college, they have a clear understanding of their own finances and a solid financial foundation to build their future on.”

To realize this vision, Nguyen launched Get Personal With Finance, which includes a financial education YouTube channel and a free online learning community with tools and resources designed specifically for college students. The monthly financial literacy workshops are being piloted as a means to make such education accessible.

“This is envisioned as a pure educational and mentoring experience, focusing more on the personal aspect of personal finance, as having a good financial foundation will bring about a healthy personal outcome,” explains Nguyen. “I hope that CSUF can be a beacon to boldly empower all young people to take charge of their finances early and to let their values drive their financial goals—not the other way around. As CSUF adds financial wellness to its ethos, students can now get their first personal financial education here, and they will learn how to be critical thinkers and avoid being misled by dishonest social media accounts or businesses. Personal finance knowledge is essential and having financial clarity is a must for every student’s future, no matter what their major or career decision is.”

FIN 310: Teaching Financial Education to Business Titans

Undergrads at the College of Business and Economics take FIN 310 – Personal Financial Management to better understand such personal financial concepts as housing, insurance, medical care, savings and investments, for both individual knowledge and professional practice. The course can also be used to fulfill a general education requirement, making it accessible to Titans with non-business majors as well.

“One of the most important themes I reiterate in my course is that knowledge is the first step to a strong foundation in personal finance,” says Samantha Condy ’15 (risk management), who has returned to her alma mater as a lecturer to teach FIN 310.

“In an era of digital transformation and accessibility of information, there is an overwhelming number of financial opinions and misinformation out there. I emphasize to students the importance of knowing where to find reliable financial resources and that gaining enough basic financial knowledge to make educated decisions will put them ahead when taking control of their personal finances.”

Condy is personally focused on financial freedom. At age 27, she purchased her first home, a rarity for millennials especially in Southern California. Condy hopes to impart her financial prowess to students, enabling them to achieve similar success.

“Financial literacy is the solution to enabling individuals to reach that financial freedom, so that they can focus on living their lives without the burden of struggling financially,” she says.

“Simply put, I love teaching personal finance. What is special about teaching this course is that there is real life applicability in all the topics we discuss. I’m passionate about sharing concepts, like investing or budgeting, that will help my students identify ways to improve and manage their finances as they look to start or further their careers post-graduation.”

Learning to Be Financially Literate, Then Helping Others Do the Same

Growing up in a Hispanic household in Los Angeles, Jesus Romero Enciso ’22 (finance) knew little about financial management strategies. As an undergrad at the College of Business and Economics, Romero Enciso discovered that the world of personal financial planning not only presented a rewarding career path, but would give him the opportunity to help the Hispanic community he is a part of have more financial freedom.

“I come from a low-income family and saw my parents struggle a lot while I was growing up,” he says. “Getting to learn financial planning and how to plan for a financial future will help me prevent the next generation of my community from dealing with the same hardships I went through.”

“There are a lot of students coming out of high school who will need to take different steps if they want a different life from what they’ve seen or are used to,” says Romero Enciso. “Having financial knowledge will prevent students from getting into debt and will affect them in later years of life. As you get older, your needs grow. You are constantly growing, either as a person or career-wise. You have to understand what to do with your money and how you will do it. I feel passionate in empowering others in making them feel they have the knowledge to make confident and educated decisions with their money.”

After graduating this spring, Romero Enciso plans to pursue a financial management career, with a focus on serving underprivileged communities.

“Building that knowledge base, educating others, and empowering them to make good and sound decisions with their finances is what I aim to do.”