Fall 2024

Tell us about Meritrust.

Meritrust Credit Union was founded in 1935 and is Kansas’ largest credit union. As a member-owned, full-service financial institution, Meritrust assists members with checking and savings, home and auto loans, short- and long-term investments as well as a full suite of business banking products and services.

Our mission is to improve the lives of our members and the communities we serve, and we live out that mission every day through our purpose of creating financially healthy employees and members. We are committed to supporting initiatives that seek to break down the barriers to economic growth and prosperity within our communities.

Tell us about your partnership(s) with K-State and the Department of Personal Financial Planning.

Meritrust engages the department in a number of ways. Our CEO, James Nastars, recently served on the PFP Advisory Board. Leaders of Meritrust’s Financial Well-Being Team, Chris Wolgamott and Ashley Manning, are often seen guest teaching on campus. Meritrust was a proud contributor to the capital campaign which funded the creation of the learning lab, and it’s not uncommon to find a PFP student interning at Meritrust over the summer.

What sets K-State's PFP program apart from other like programs?

It’s no secret that other institutions look to K-State’s PFP program as a model for their own programs. Students graduate with a holistic understanding of finances that allows them to meet a wide variety of needs and tremendous versatility as they navigate newfound career paths. By preparing students to sit for professional exams, the program is also giving students near immediate access to jobs once they graduate.

What recommendations/advice can Meritrust offer for students and/or future financial planners?

One of the recommendations we always extend to young professionals is to be a lifelong learner. Never stop learning. As technology continues to change and generations transition from one to the next, there will always be something new to learn that will keep you at the top of your field or moving into a new and growing industry sector.

And, most likely, if you’re in the PFP program, you’re already compassionate, a good listener, and want to help others. The other advice we would give you - never let that go. Aside from being some of the best tools for your profession, these skills and character traits will continue to become more and more essential to keep our communities strong and vibrant in the future.

What trends should be watched?

Our economy is experiencing a continued rise in consumer debt – specifically in the form of credit card debt. In line with that trend, we’re also seeing a growing lack of basic financial education in the average citizen. Financial planners and counselors will need to be extra diligent in teaching and guiding clients to engage in healthy spending and saving practices to ensure financial wellness and security.

Final thoughts...

Meritrust is committed to promoting financial education at K-State and is a proud investor in the Financial Futures Initiative supporting the Powercat Financial peer counseling program. Meritrust is the “Official Financial Well-Being Partner of K-State Athletics,” and frequently presents financial education workshops for students on campus throughout the year. We offer in-person banking, lending, and financial counseling at our Manhattan branch or through our online platform.

Kate Mielitz, Ph.D., AFC®, CDP® serves as the Executive Director of Powercat Financial and a Professor of Practice in the Personal Financial Planning Department. She has 25 years of experience in financial services, including bankruptcy, fraud, financial counseling, and higher education. Dr. Mielitz earned a Ph.D. in personal financial planning from Kansas State University and her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and master's degree in interpersonal communications from the University of Wyoming. She obtained her Accredited Financial Counselor certification from the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education, AFCPE®, in 2009 via the FINRA Education Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship.

Kate has worked in for-profit and non-profit industry jobs as well as academia. Her work history includes AFCPE, Family Promise of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, and Beyond Finance, among other organizations. Her primary focus for practice and research is the financial capability of vulnerable populations.

In 2019, she won the FINRA Education Foundation Military Spouse Mentor of the Year Award and in 2020 won AFCPE’s Mary Ellen Edmondson Educator of the Year Award. In March 2024 she was awarded the Kansas State University Rising Professional Award in the Personal Financial Planning Department.

She obtained her Certified Diversity Professional designation in October 2023. Kate is committed to making personal finance accessible and inclusive for in-person and online communities. In her spare time, she sits on the Education Advisory Board for the Tourette Association of America, where she also volunteers.

Kate wanted to be a Powercat Financial Counselor when she started her PhD in 2014. Since that wasn’t available, she bided her time and is very excited to lead the well-respected Powercat Financial team!

Powercat Financial has expanded in its responsibilities to the campus, as well as to the State of Kansas, for which Kate is particularly excited. Powercat Financial continues to serve students via peer-to-peer financial counseling, as they have historically been known. Additionally, Powercat Financial Education Across Campus takes personal finance workshops into the for-credit classrooms ensuring that students, no matter their major, have timely and relevant personal finance information available to them. Finally, Powercat Financial, is helping to lead the charge in standing up the High School Financial Literacy Initiative across the State of Kansas. Beginning in Spring 2025 Kate will help lead financial literacy professional development for high school teachers throughout the state. This work is being done in coordination with helping to stand up the Intuit for Education high school financial literacy curriculum which has been vetted and the efficacy of which is being evaluated by Dr. Megan McCoy over the Spring 2025 semester.

Hi everyone! My name is Ashlyn Rollins-Koons, and I am a mother to a beautiful 11-month-old daughter, a dog mom to a corgi named Obi and a labradoodle named Appa, and a financial planner in Chico, California. I am so honored to get to tell you a little bit about myself, my journey to becoming a financial planner, and my wonderful experience at Kansas State.

After college, I started my career in journalism. Working for a newspaper felt like the perfect job for me – I got to talk to people all day and when I wasn’t talking to them, I was writing and telling their stories. One of the most important stories I covered was the Camp Fire, which burned through Paradise, CA in 2018. My hometown, Chico, is 15 minutes away from Paradise. Many of my family members, friends, and loved ones were affected by the fire. My father, a financial planner, opened his office to help people with tasks like making copies of important documents, calling insurance companies, and even ordering new credit cards and driver’s licenses.

As I covered the fire, talked to the people in my community, and told their stories, I saw how an unexpected event financially devastated many people. I also saw how those who were financially prepared could focus on healing and grieving without the additional stress of financial uncertainty. After a few years in the newspaper industry, I felt a strong pull to move closer to my family, find a job with more security and work-life balance, and look for a new way to serve my community. So, on Christmas Eve 2019, I finished my last day at the newspaper and started studying for my securities licenses.

I finished my securities and insurance exams during the height of the pandemic. The stock market was turbulent, and people were scared. While there were challenges to jumping into a new profession during a time like this, I knew how important financial planners could be for clients in distressing times. Instead of deterring me, it made me feel even more confident in my decision to switch careers.

Shortly after, I started looking at obtaining a CFP(R) certification. As I was looking into programs, I found Kansas State and saw that I could simultaneously pursue a Ph.D. I knew this would be an amazing opportunity to craft a career where I could help my clients, help the personal financial planning industry, and write as much as I possibly could.

One thing I especially appreciate about the program is how research that has practical implications and makes meaningful contributions to clients’ and/or planners' lives is prioritized. Throughout my program, I have been able to conduct research on a host of topics including housing, financial well-being, financial planner and client relationships, saving and retirement behavior, financial technology, financial socialization, and financial education. In addition to my research, I have been able to teach some classes and work as a research assistant. I also loved the cohort structure of the program through which I have made many lifelong friends.

I could write forever about all the wonderful mentors I have had at Kansas State. I feel so much gratitude toward each faculty member. Not only did the faculty teach me the fundamental skills I needed to be a successful researcher, but they also encouraged and inspired me. I remember one annual review where Dr. Kiss said something along the lines of, “I know sometimes people think that there is always something more they could do or that there should be something to improve on,” and I nodded along waiting for whatever feedback I would surely receive. And then she said, “But I don’t have that for you. You should be so proud of yourself.” I could have cried. It was so kind, and it demonstrated the supportive culture at Kansas State.

One of my other favorite parts of this program is how down-to-earth everyone is. You hear about the cut-throat nature of academia, but in our program, we laughed at YouTube videos, talked about our kids and families, discussed our practices, and enjoyed all of Dr. Lawson’s creative out-of-office emails. We had dinners at professors’ houses and went out to restaurants. It sounds cheesy but it felt like we had all been friends for ages.

I must spend a few minutes talking about my chair, Dr. Lawson, who I know, carries so many responsibilities for this department. Despite being so busy, he agreed to mentor me and supervise my dissertation. Without his incredible structural equation modeling course and his experimental design class, which was co-taught with Dr. Gray, I would not have been able to complete the dissertation I ended up writing. I used all the methods taught in both classes and referenced my notes from them frequently.

I also have to talk about Dr. McCoy, who has been instrumental in many students’ lives at Kansas State. Dr. McCoy is the kind of person who makes you a better person every time you talk to her. Dr. McCoy has opened the door to so many research opportunities and her excitement for this field is contagious. I have an ongoing note on my phone titled “From the brilliant mind of Megan McCoy” where I have started writing down her research ideas. Dr. McCoy’s a great researcher and professor, and she also knows how to have a ton of fun. Ask her how many ghost tours she’s been on!

Reflecting on my time at Kansas State, I am awed by how much of a better financial planner I am today. When I talk to clients, I make better recommendations because I understand relevant research and theories. For example, I was talking to a client the other day about their student loan debt, and I was able to share the research on student loans, and how a strategic plan to address it could diminish or eliminate a long-lasting negative impact on their financial well-being. I use the principles of behavioral theories like the theory of planned behavior or the transtheoretical model of change to inspire clients to action. I have made connections with wonderful organizations like the Financial Therapy Association, the Financial Planning Association, and others where I have been able to attend and speak at conferences and read materials that also allow me to serve my clients better.

I just want to end by saying it has been such a joy to be a part of this community. I will carry so many fond memories from my years here for the rest of my life.

Connect with her on LinkedIn!

Dr. Zhang highlights that financial well-being is shaped by a multitude of factors—what we know, what we believe, and the support systems we rely on. Her fascinating new study published in Family Relations explores the complex dynamics between family financial socialization, financial capability, help-seeking behavior, and how these elements collectively influence our financial health.

The Role of Family: A Double-Edged Sword

The study reveals that our earliest financial habits and attitudes often stem from family interactions. Families that openly discuss financial matters can set a strong foundation for both financial knowledge and confidence. Yet, intriguingly, the study identifies a paradox: while family financial socialization enhances financial awareness and encourages seeking help, it also has a surprising negative direct association with financial well-being.

Why might this be? Dr. Zhang brings up the fact that the quality of these conversations often matters. If discussions foster anxiety or lack actionable guidance, they may leave individuals feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. For example, a family that emphasizes the importance of saving but discourages asking for help might inadvertently instill a “go-it-alone” mindset.

Help-Seeking: A Sign of Strength

One key finding is the strong positive link between seeking financial help (whether from professionals or family) and improved financial well-being. Prior research indicated that individuals who consult financial planners experience better retirement preparedness and portfolio performance. Similarly, turning to trusted family members for advice can potentially reduce financial stress and lead to a better assessment of financial well-being.

Objective Financial Knowledge and Perceived Financial Capability: Both are Key Factors

Not everyone approaches help-seeking in the same way. Dr. Zhang emphasizes that financial capability comprises two components: objective knowledge and perceived confidence. The study underscores the importance of both. Knowledge equips individuals with the tools to make sound decisions, while confidence empowers them to take action. Individuals with high objective financial knowledge, who have a strong understanding of the technical aspects of personal finance, are more likely to seek advice from both professionals and family members. On the contrary, those with high perceived financial capability, feeling confident in their ability to manage finances, often choose to rely on professional guidance while avoiding input from family. While this approach can be effective, it also underscores the need for families to create environments where financial advice is normalized, accessible, and judgment-free.

Key Takeaways

So, what can we learn from this research?

First, families play a critical role in shaping financial attitudes and behaviors. Parents who model healthy financial habits and foster open, shame-free conversations about money can help their children develop both the knowledge and confidence to navigate financial decisions.

Second, seeking help is not a sign of weakness; instead, it’s a strategic move. Whether you’re planning for retirement, managing debt, or navigating life events like buying a home, consulting professionals or trusted family members can significantly enhance your financial outcomes.

Finally, reflecting on our beliefs is something people forget to do. Start by reflecting on your financial journey. Are there patterns or assumptions holding you back? Next, be open to seeking advice. Whether you consult a financial advisor, attend a community workshop, or simply have a candid conversation with a family member, remember that help-seeking is a strength, not a weakness.

Dr. Zhang also wants to remind us that financial well-being is a journey, not a destination, and it’s one you don’t have to take alone. Reflect, seek guidance, and make choices that align with your values and goals. Because when it comes to financial well-being, the greatest investment you can make is in yourself.

If interested in learning more, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Yu(Yulia) Zhang, Assistant Professor.

The Financial Planning Academy offered a dynamic balance of learning, professional interaction, and outdoor activities. With guidance from nine dedicated college student counselors, participants worked through a rigorous schedule, creating comprehensive financial plans and learning essential financial concepts. By the end of the week, each team presented its financial plan in a formal setting, showcasing their hard work and newly acquired expertise. These presentations were judged by a panel of advisors from both K-State and the broader financial planning community, who generously lent their time and expertise to mentor the students and evaluate their plans. Their involvement not only added a layer of professionalism to the academy but also provided valuable real-world insights for the young participants. We would like to thank Rylie May from Keating, Inc., Halle Christensen and Carter Ewing from Prosperity Advisors, Sami Dodson from Arvest, Andrew Leonard, Ashten Jackson, Kale Terrill and Katie Seay from The Trust Company, and Glenda Eichman from K-State Powercat Financial for supporting our program and academy.

The Financial Planning Academy wasn’t all work, though—students enjoyed plenty of fun activities and friendly competition. The academy’s daily schedule included volleyball games, a spirited “FPA Olympics,” and plenty of time in the sun, allowing participants to bond, recharge, and build lasting friendships. Counselors played a big role in fostering a positive atmosphere, encouraging teamwork and creating memorable moments for everyone.

A key highlight of this year’s academy was the opportunity for standout participants to earn scholarships for K-State’s PFP program. Thanks to generous contributions from our university partners and community supporters, several students received scholarships as a recognition of their exceptional performance and potential. The entire K-State team is thrilled to see these promising students continue their education in financial planning here at the university.

As we reflect on another successful year of the Financial Planning Academy, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all partners, counselors, advisors, and students who made this experience unforgettable. We’re already looking forward to welcoming next year’s group of future business leaders, helping them gain the skills and insights they need to build a bright future in financial planning. Please direct students, families, and professionals wanting to participate next summer to contact Blake Gray. Keep your eyes peeled for dates and future announcements via our LinkedIn and Facebook. See you next summer!

Do you have a job or internship you want us to share with our students?

If you want to promote an opportunity to our Personal Financial Planning students for an upcoming summer internship or post-graduation job, please let us know.

Is your high schooler starting to explore colleges? Schedule a Campus Visit TODAY...

Prospective students have a number of opportunities to visit campus and meet with programs. Explore K-State and the Personal Financial Planning program by scheduling a Campus Visit!

Interested in joining the College Professional Mentor program?

Are you interested in mentoring our students? The College of Health and Human Sciences provides a Professional Mentor Program for the students, pairing firm and industry individuals with students wanting a more in-depth understanding of the profession or area they seek to work in. If interested in learning more about being a mentor, please visit the mentor website, or you can reach out to Dana Parker, Career Development Coordinator.