June 7th

Campus of Texas Woman's University

Keynote Speaker

Lottia Fredo

Lottia Fredo is the former Director of the Financial Literacy Program at Southern Methodist University (“SMU”), located in Dallas, TX. She is also the Financial Wellness Chair for the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO). Her commitment to education has led to over 20 years of experience working at proprietary, public, and private colleges. Along with her knowledge in higher education, Lottia is also an ordained pastor. She has worked as a children’s and youth pastor. Her enthusiasm for the next generation transcends in the classroom, church, and community. She can train, speak, and write a curriculum that has helped transform programs from the East Coast to the South.

Lottia has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in assisting current and future college-bound students. She has a passion for helping students overcome challenges and become financially fit. This passion caused her to start a Nonprofit in 2017, Relay: Heroes Today Leaders Tomorrow, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan (DFW) area, to aid in her mission of assisting elementary to adults in college readiness, financial literacy, and scholarship. Her organization has awarded over twelve educational scholarships to needy students since its inception, feeding over 600 students and providing community programming. Lottia enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering in her spare time.

#1: Concurrent Break Out Session 

1A: The Real Scoop on Paying for College: Students' and Families' Expectations v. Reality

While most families agree that college is an investment in their student’s future, many are confused and stressed about paying for that education. Join this session where we explore what college-bound high school families know and expect about paying for college, and how that compares to the realities experienced by currently enrolled undergraduates. We will investigate how families’ understanding of available funding sources, attitudes and behaviors change as families begin and follow their higher education journey. The insights shared are based on two new research studies by Sallie Mae and Ipsos, College Confidence: What America Knows About Paying for College and How America Pays for College 2022.

Sergio Gonzalez, Director, Asst. Region Head-West, Sallie Mae

Sergio Gonzalez joined Sallie Mae in 2005 and is currently a Director, Asst. Region Head for Sallie Mae West Region, responsible for supporting colleges, universities, high school, and college readiness organizations in Texas as well as New Mexico. Sergio has been in higher education since 1995, with ten years of experience in financial aid. Prior to joining Sallie Mae, he was the Financial Aid Director for South Texas College of Law. Sergio has served on several committees for TASFAA, is currently on the fall conference & sponsor relations committee, and is also a member of SWASFAA, NMASFAA and TACAC. He is fluent in Spanish and resides in Houston, TX with his wife and dog.

1B: Essentials to Success: Investing in the Development of Student Workers

Student workers are essential to the success of all student-facing offices and departments. Most campuses have more student workers than full-time personnel. TACFEP members should be encouraged to invest in the engagement and professional development of students as valuable team members. This session explores ways members can learn how to successfully recruit, reward, retain, and “retire” their student workers.

Gabrielle Pringle-Onwunaka, Coordinator, Texas Woman's University

Gabrielle Pringle-Onwunaka oversees the peer educators, known as Maroon Money Mentors, and the outreach programming and assessment activities for Texas Woman’s University’s Student Money Management Center. She has given financial presentations and provided one-on-one budgeting sessions as an AmeriCorps member, UNT SMMC graduate assistant, and Bibb County Career Academy’s Career and Technical Coach. She is also the founder of The Budgeting Boss, an online financial support group. Gabby is an Alabama native who earned her B.S. from the University of Montevallo and her M.Ed. from the University of North Texas.

Stephen Lewis, Assistant Director-Student Money Management Center, University of North Texas

Stephen Lewis is a highly energetic, student-centric higher education professional with a passion for financial education and empowerment. He is the Assistant Director for Financial Readiness with the University of North Texas Student Money Management Center. Stephen is responsible for managing the center’s outreach, marketing, and peer mentor programs. His goal is to normalize money conversations so students can work toward financial health and well-being. Stephen received his B.B.A. from the University of North Texas and hails from Carthage, Texas.

General Session

Financial Experiences from the Lone Star State: How Texas Students Pay for College and Its Consequences

This session provides a comprehensive look at the financial challenges facing Texas students. Drawing on the recent Fall Student Financial Wellness Survey which includes responses from students attending colleges and universities across the state. The session will cover a wide range of topics, including paying for college, and basic needs security, but will focus on the financial decision-making components of the survey. Session attendees can learn about some promising practices to address student in financial distress.

Allyson Cornett, Senior Research Analyst, Trellis Company

Allyson Cornett CPH, MPH has been working for Trellis for more than five years where she uses mixed-methods research methodologies to examine various issues in higher education for internal and external clients, including college hunger, basic needs security (food security, housing security, homelessness), mental health, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other topics. Trellis Company is a mission-driven, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that connects people to education-to-employment pathways that transform their lives. Their purpose is to develop and advance initiatives that grow individual economic mobility and expand community prosperity.

#2: Concurrent Break Out Session 

2A: For the Students By the Students: Peer to Peer Mentor Panel

During this session, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with an experienced peer mentor panel as they share aspects of peer-to-peer mentoring they didn't know they needed to know. Fellow peers will get advice, tips, and content ideas to assist their efforts in normalizing financial conversations. Attendees will be able to participate in a moderated Q&A discussion.

Stephen Lewis, Assistant Director-Student Money Management Center, University of North Texas

Stephen Lewis is a highly energetic, student-centric higher education professional with a passion for financial education and empowerment. He is the Assistant Director for Financial Readiness with the University of North Texas Student Money Management Center. Stephen is responsible for managing the center’s outreach, marketing, and peer mentor programs. His goal is to normalize money conversations so students can work toward financial health and well-being. Stephen received his B.B.A. from the University of North Texas and hails from Carthage, Texas.

2B: Raising Awareness Across Campus: Financial Literacy Instructor Panel

Join us during this session to learn more about how to bring financial literacy into the classroom and raise awareness across campus through collaboration. We will discuss best practices in partnering with academic units and advising, along with different perspectives of teaching personal finance. Stop by and ask an expert!

Jennifer Wilson, MS, AFC, Community Instructor, Personal Finance Program, Texas Tech University

Jennifer Wilson, MS, AFC®, has been a faculty instructor and the assistant director of the Personal Finance (PFI) program within the School of Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech since 2016. Before Texas Tech, she served three years in AmeriCorps throughout the country, focusing on financial education, counseling, and resource development. Jennifer has extensive experience working with diverse audiences delivering financial awareness presentations, providing one-on-one financial counseling, and teaching personal finance and financial counseling at the college level. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Managerial Finance from East Carolina University in 2011.

Nick Kilmer, Lecturer, Financial Planning Program, Texas A&M University

Nick Kilmer is a Lecturer for the Financial Planning Program at Texas A&M University. He currently instructs AGLS 235 Foundations of Money Education, a Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Elective which teaches the general Undergraduate population about money management, financial planning, banking, taxes, credit, car and home buying, risk management, investing, retirement planning, and more. Prior to teaching, Professor Kilmer spent 14 years working as an administrator for Texas A&M University. During that time, he founded the Money Education Center, managed the Veteran Services Office, and served as an Assistant Director for Scholarships & Financial Aid. Earlier in his career, he also worked in financial planning as a licensed representative for Retirement Counselors, Inc. and as a bank accountant and MIS analyst for The First National Bank of Bryan.

Mark Evers, Ph.D., MS, M.B.A., CFP®, CRPC®, Lecturer/Director, Financial Planning Program, University of North Texas

Dr. Mark Evers has over thirteen years of experience in education combined with over a decade of financial services and financial planning industry experience. Dr. Evers holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University, an M.S. in Finance and Economics and an M.B.A. from West Texas A&M University. Dr. Evers is also a Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) and a Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorTM (CRPC®). Over the years, Dr. Evers has taught numerous finance and business courses at both the collegiate and secondary education level. He was recognized with the 2020 Instructor of the Year Award in the Personal Finance program at Texas Tech. Dr. Evers now serves the University of North Texas as a Lecturer and Program Director for the CFP Board Registered Financial Planning program.

June 8th

Campus of University of North Texas

#3: Concurrent Break Out Session 

3A: The AFC® and You! (and your Students!)

What is AFCPE and how can you benefit from membership, education, and/or certification? For Professionals/Educators you'll get information on becoming an AFC; the Registered Education Program (REP) pathway; and opportunities to engage with AFCPE. We are excited to introduce Students, Professionals, and Educators on the benefits of the AFC designation and how to seek certification (via REP pathway or otherwise).

Ann Hamilton, Special Programs Senior Coordinator, AFCPE 

Ann Hamilton is the Special Programs Senior Coordinator at AFCPE®. She has been a nonprofit professional for 12 years. She joined AFCPE®’s team in March 2020 and assists students, military connected AFC® Candidates, and individuals with professional designations who are pursuing the AFC®. Ann also supports outreach and relationship building with AFCPE®’s Registered Education Programs, the DoD and nonprofit partners. In her three years at AFCPE® Ann has managed two counseling projects staffed by over 100 AFC® Professionals, and manages and supports AFCPE®’s Scholarship programs.

3B: Opening Doors to International Student Success Through Collaboration

Attending college in a country and culture other than their own can be both exciting and daunting - especially when international students consider college and living costs in the United States. Today’s international students are coming from homes of modest income, where it is common for the extended family to pool resources to support educational aspirations. In this session, you will be introduced to an innovative collaboration between a financial education program and international affairs office that is helping students successfully adjust to the expenses and realities associated with living and studying in the United States.

Paul Goebel, Director-Student Money Management Center, University of North Texas

Paul Goebel MBA, CPFM®, CPFC® is the founding and managing Director of the Student Money Management Center at the University of North Texas. Paul and his team of professionals, graduate assistants, and undergraduate peer mentors have worked tirelessly to streamline all money management education services under the oversight of one dedicated office serving as a single-entry point for the thousands of students seeking support, counsel, and advice. Under his leadership, the center has received numerous national, state, and institutional awards of excellence.

Nicole Conant, University of North Texas

Nicole Conant is the Associate Director for International Programs and Communication in International Affairs at University of North Texas. She oversees international student support programming, campus-wide internationalization co-curricular programming, student scholarships and grants, and departmental marketing and communication activities. Nicole holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from Central Connecticut State University.