Free Financial Literacy Events hosted by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Aug. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- The economic ramifications of U.S. and global financial policies on everyone from college students to investors will be explored during the free  DiSanto Chair Distinguished Speaker Series in Financial Literacy, hosted by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology during Fall 2014.

The series is developed by Dr. Jay Liebowitz, the Alex DiSanto Visiting Chair in Applied Business and Finance at HU.

Scheduled for select Thursdays at noon, the talks bring top minds in finance to Central Pennsylvania, sharing their insights on the financial capabilities of college students, investments in the global economy, and oversight of capital markets.

Sept. 18 - “Money Matters on Campus: Financial Capability and First-Year College Students,” Mary K. Johnson, Director, Financial Literacy and Student Aid Policy, Higher One, Inc., New Haven, CT: Although financial literacy and its impact on financial behavior have received increased public attention in recent years, there is a scarcity of research on how this critical life skill is trending among young adults, particularly those entering college. Johnson’s presentation will highlight the latest findings of Money Matters on Campus, a national survey of the financial knowledge and behaviors of 65,000 first-year college students, conducted by EverFi and sponsored by Higher One. The presentation will also include a discussion of the relationship between financial capability and college success, as well as implications for institutions, policy makers and researchers. Johnson has more than 25 years of experience in higher education finance, research and financial aid, including service as Associate Commissioner of Finance and Administration for the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. With Higher One, she developed a national grant program, Financial Literacy Counts, which supports financial literacy initiatives on colleges and universities across the country.

Oct. 16 - “Investing in the Global Economy in 2014,” John Jacobs, Executive Vice President, Global Information Services, NASDAQ OMX: Jacobs will focus on three main questions:  What are the fundamentals of investing in the current global economy? How to navigate the challenges? What does active and passive investing mean today and where is it going? At NASDAQ OMX, Jacobs oversees all aspects of information product business development, including the creation and licensing of strategy indexes in the U.S. and abroad.  Under his direction, NASDAQ launched the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking StockSM (QQQQ), one of the most successful financial products in stock market history.

Nov. 6 - “Capital Market Oversight by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority,” Joseph E. Price, Senior Vice President, Corporate Financing/Advertising Regulation, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): Price will address industry practices by investment banks and other broker/dealers that raise capital for businesses in primary markets, where new stock and bond issues are sold to investors, and secondary markets, which trade existing securities.  The talk will also explore the regulatory role of FINRA, an independent, not-for-profit organization authorized by Congress to protect America’s investors by making sure the securities industry operates fairly and honestly. Before joining FINRA, Price served with the Securities and Exchange Commission in several capacities, including Assistant General Counsel, Special Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, and Deputy Chief of the Office of Disclosure and Investment Adviser Regulation in the Division of Investment Management.

All talks will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the 14^th Floor Auditorium, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, 326 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Attendees are asked to RSVP via the website at HarrisburgU.edu/RSVP (http://www.harrisburgu.edu/RSVP)   This is part of the DiSanto Chair Distinguished Speaker Series in Financial Literacy.