Professor Chris Dunnaville came to the University of Portland in 2014, after 30 years as a financial executive. He is currently a valued member of the Pamplin School of Business finance faculty and the Organ Banker’s Fellow. Previously, the University’s financial literacy offerings were limited to one personal finance class. Since, the offerings have expanded to a Smart Money class, personal finance for non-business majors, an advanced financial planning and counseling course, and revised personal finance curriculum. Additionally, the University’s Cash Flow Club hosts monthly meetings, a 3-week campus-wide investing competition called The Challenge, and a Smart Money Day during April, Financial Literacy Month. Smart Money Day is a series of workshops on student loans, invest, real estate, budgeting, and more. The day concludes with a celebratory dinner featuring a keynote speaker and an awards ceremony for The Challenge winners. The University of Portland’s Cash Flow Club was founded by Professor Dunnaville, who sought to empower students with Financial Education provide them tools and skills to make good financial decisions. The Cash Flow Club wants students to graduate with the ability to financial care for themselves, families, and communities and have financially successful lives after graduation. During the 2018-2019 school year, the club piloted a community service project that involved University students teaching high school students at local De La Salle High School financial literacy concepts. The club plans to expand this program to additional high schools during the upcoming school year. The University will soon be offering an accredited financial counseling designation to students who complete 6 credit hours of personal finance, 600-1000 hours of service, and pass a standardized exam. Additionally, the University will be using it’s recent grant from the Oregon Bankers Association to support and grow it’s financial literacy offerings.
Financial Literacy Update
