UConn’s financial literacy program expands to reach more high schoolers
3 min read
An innovative UConn program that teaches high school students about financial literacy has proven so successful that it has dramatically expanded to attract more students and donor support.
The Financial Literacy Innovation Program (FLIP), which began with 20 students four years ago, now brings 150 students to Storrs to learn financial life skills.
The program now serves students from nine high schools, including Hartford, Bristol, Bloomfield, Vernon, and Windham. It plans to grow again next year, possibly expanding to UConn’s Waterbury or Stamford campuses.
The FLIP program buses students to UConn’s School of Business in Storrs for six consecutive Saturdays. It allows students to see college up close and learn basic financial skills, such as using a credit card and applying for financial aid.
Guest speakers from various financial fields also delve further into subjects like credit scores, taxes, and investing. For example, George Barrios ’87 (CLAS), ’89 MBA, who founded ISOS Capital, came in to explain the nuts and bolts of private equity and what it’s like to be a professional in investing.
Barrios, who was a first-generation student, himself, raised in inner-city Queens and Bridgeport, is passionate about supporting FLIP.
“I grew up in those communities, so I know what it’s like and how hard it is to get out,” he says. “I believe strongly that the earlier you can build your knowledge about how the world works, the more you will be able to compound the benefits for yourself.”
Several other first-generation employees from The Hartford Financial Group also visited to talk about how they discovered their career choices.
“They presented very inspiring stories that the students could associate with,” says Nora Madjar, associate dean for undergraduate programs at UConn’s School of Business. “We have students in FLIP who are first-generation and are struggling. Their families may not want to send them to college. They may prefer that they learn a trade instead. It was good for students to hear from all these professionals about their career paths and how successful they are.”
The students in the FLIP program are taught and mentored by UConn students majoring in business, including some students who went through the program themselves.
“It’s a great experience both for the high schoolers and for college instructors and mentors, who are passionate about developing these skills and helping and supporting the communities from which the students came,” Madjar says.
One such mentor is rising junior Kamari Cross ’26 (BUS), who enrolled in FLIP as a senior at Weaver High School in Hartford.
“I really enjoy it because I’m not only connecting with students I already know, but with new students who are a lot younger than me, are often shy, and don’t really know how college works,” Cross says. “I’m happy to be a guide for that pipeline, especially since I’m a first-generation student, too.”
Cross is now majoring in analytics and information management at the Business
School. He has completed two summer internships at The Travelers and is considering pursuing his master’s degree once he graduates. Cross says the FLIP program made him rethink his entire approach to money.
“Before I was empty-minded about how I managed money,” he says. “I was like, get it, don’t even think about it. FLIP gets you thinking about how to be really smart with your money—not just saving it, but making your money make money for you.”
The FLIP program also helps bring more underrepresented students to UConn’s student body. Students who finish FLIP, apply to UConn, and are admitted are eligible for a scholarship through FLIP. At least 12 students who went through the program will be UConn freshmen this fall, Madjar says.
Some high school students enjoy the program so much that they return the following year. Next year, five students are coming back for a third year. Program leaders have developed a special program for them in investing and risk management.
The program was initially funded by a $500,000 gift from alumnus Joseph LaBrosse ’85 (BUS) and his wife, Kathleen LaBrosse. The LaBrosses hoped the program would help address inequalities facing students in under-resourced Connecticut schools.
Buoyed by the program’s success, several other donors have stepped forward with generous support, including Barrios and his wife, Carol (Marques) Barrios ’88 (BUS), ’97 MBA, Joanne (Chamber) Crevoiserat ’85 (BUS) and Rod Crevoiserat ’87 MBA, and UConn Business Professor Emeritus Tom O’Brien. The LaBrosses also have committed an additional $250,000 to support FLIP.
“I think it’s tremendous that the FLIP program has expanded and it’s all because of UConn’s implementation of it,” Joe LaBrosse says. “UConn’s been so committed to this and everybody has been so passionate about it. Nora and her team have ambitiously worked to expand the program and it’s having a transformational impact on all involved.”
