WVU hosts K-12 educators for weeklong personal finance conference

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — Monday morning marked the start of a weeklong financial literacy conference for K-12 teachers across West Virginia hosted by the John Chambers College of Business & Economics at West Virginia University.

Teachers and professors from across the state of West Virginia are gathering for the 23rd annual ‘Finance University,’ designed to help educators teach personal finance to their students with confidence.

Joshua Hall, Dean of Chambers College, said this conference helps support an ongoing mission to help equip the next generation with financial skills for their future.

“This year’s turnout has been the highest it’s ever been. There’s a great demand by teachers in the state for more continuing education, especially around financial literacy, […] We see quite a number of outcomes. One of them is students get better financial literacy. They have the savings and wherewithal to be more successful in their adult life,” Hall said.

The theme for this year’s event is “Teaching Personal Finance for Lifelong Success.” Finance University was made possible this year through a Truist West Virginia Foundation grant as well as sponsorship from the Equitable Foundation.

Jarian Kerekes, President at the Equitable Foundation, said that as a kid who grew up without a lot of financial knowledge, he loves being able to support teachers educate the next generation on better financial literacy.

“It’s a no brainer for Equitable to be involved,” Kerekes said.

On the first evening, attendees were treated to a tour of the West Virginia University Football facility and capped off the evening with dinner at the Diversified Energy Terrace at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Some of this year’s topics include AI integration, understanding taxes and planning for retirement. The conference is planned to run all week, wrapping up on Thursday evening.