Officially created in 2024, Villanova’s Financial Education and Wellness initiative is now fully underway. The Financial Education team is located in the Career Center and is a subteam within Villanova’s Professional and Personal Development program, which is in place to support Villanova students as they start preparing themselves for life beyond college.
In November 2025, the University hired three Villanova students to serve as peer educators and coaches. Recently, the team hired a fourth student to enlarge and grow the program. These students have been certified as Financial Peer Mentors by Fincert to teach fellow students about personal finance.
With this combination of student and staff efforts and perspectives, the Financial Education team aims to help students learn about personal finances. Managing money is a common struggle for new graduates, so the University has made the commitment to creating the team to support students throughout this transition. Namely, there are two main resources that all Villanovans can access to prepare for a more secure financial future: iGrad and personal coaching.
The iGrad platform, accessible to Villanovans for free with their SSO, is a library of tools, articles, courses and videos to get students the information they need. It is a self-paced platform that enables students to learn whenever it’s convenient.
Students can also schedule appointments with the Financial Education team to learn from one of the peer mentors or from the director. The appointments are one-on-one and completely confidential, ensuring that students have a private, comfortable way to learn about finances.
Tyra Ford, Director of Professional and Personal Development, commented on her vision for the program.
“Villanova University’s Strategic Plan for 2020–2030, Rooted. Restless., includes a commitment to providing students with a distinctive, transformative education and exceptional preparation for lifelong success,” Ford said. “In support of this vision, the Office of Professional and Personal Development expanded its practical skills offerings to include the Financial Education and Wellness Initiative.”
Ford detailed what students should expect from the initiative, as they go about their time at Villanova and post-grad.
“This initiative equips students with accessible tools, resources and guidance to support informed personal financial decision making, preparing them to thrive well beyond their time at Villanova,” Ford said. “Reflecting the University’s dedication to the holistic well-being of every individual, financial wellness is recognized as a lifelong journey. Villanova remains committed to empowering students with the knowledge and confidence needed for successful, meaningful and rewarding lives, both during their academic experience and long after graduation.”
Liz Brunton, Assistant Director, has spearheaded the launch of the program
“It’s been exciting to begin my tenure at VU with the task of getting 1:1 coaching underway,” Brunton said. “From my own 1:1 appointments to recruiting and training the Peer Money Mentor team, it has become clear that coaching is a valuable offering to any VU student. As we grow, I’m certain the whole community will reap the benefits of personal, undivided attention to unpack financial challenges.”
Villanova’s Financial Education and Wellness team is ultimately here to support the student body, and the team is committed to making a true impact under the leadership of Liz Brunton and Tyra Ford.