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Financial Literacy Student Ambassadors (Students) Click to Apply
Federal Work Study Financial Literacy Student Ambassadors (Students - If you've been awarded Federal Work Study on LionPATH, use the link below).Click to Apply
Education Program Specialists (Staff)Click to Apply
Associate Director of Outreach and Partnership (Staff) Click to Apply
Questions? Reach out to our staff at finlit@psu.edu.
Julie Heaton is Director of the Penn State Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center. She is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor®, Certified Academic Life Coach, and holds a Master's of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Public Health Administration from the University of Montana as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William & Mary. In her role at the Center, Julie oversees programming, instructional design, and general operations. She represents financial wellness initiatives in Penn State's Undergraduate Education Council, serves on the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners, and is Chair of the Penn State Financial Literacy Advisory Board, bringing together Penn State faculty, staff, and administrators that work in the financial literacy space. She is an active volunteer with the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA) and currently serves on their Programming Committee as the Master Class Coordinator. Before coming to Penn State, she taught personal finance at the University of Montana and served as Director of the University of Montana’s Financial Education Program. Julie lives in State College, Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she's not busy talking about financial wellness, you can find her with her family hiking on a trail, paddling their canoe, or curled up with a good book!
Money Question for Julie: Do you find saving money difficult? Why or why not?
"Yes! Saving money has always felt like a challenge, but the reason it is difficult has changed for me over the years. When I was an undergraduate, my expenses and needs were fairly simple. Saving was a chore because I made little income and simultaneously had big travel dreams and desires that would quickly drain whatever I was able to save. Now, I’m more frugal and have a stable income, but the cost of life expenses and my desire for security is higher (e.g. mortgage, insurance, childcare, healthcare). So, saving is still something I have to be very intentional about."
Sarah DeWolfe is Assistant Director of Financial Coaching at the Penn State Sokolov-Miller Family Financial & Life Skills Center. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master’s in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Sarah meets with undergraduate & graduate students across Penn State one on one to coach them in their financial journeys. She also meets with faculty and staff regarding their eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, as well as with recently graduated alumni to support them in their financial goals. Sarah is dedicated to helping Penn State students understand that financial literacy, while an integral part of well-being and success, is a lifelong adventure which requires acquiring knowledge and skills over time that will inform positive financial behaviors. With this in mind, she approaches financial coaching sessions from the viewpoint that personal finance is inherently holistic in nature. As a first generation college student herself, Sarah is particularly excited to help first gen students navigate college systems, create goals & make financial decisions, and understand future planning.
Money Question for Sarah: What's something you spent/spend a lot of money on?
"FOOD! And not grocery food. I LOVE eating out: fast food, sit-down restaurants, movie theater hotdogs, baseball stadium hotdogs, Sam's Club hotdogs...I digress. I don't mind cooking, but it takes time and often feels like the 7 minutes I spend eating what took me over an hour to cook isn't worth it. I grew up poor, so when I was in college, I'd spend $3 here, $5 there on fast food because it was cheap, and I only had about $10 in my account at all times. The first time I sat down to budget, I found out I was spending over $400 a month on my "cheap" food! So I got in the habit of giving myself eating-out money in my budget that I can track so I actually KNOW how much I'm spending, which is usually the same amount or more than I give myself for groceries. And that's ok."
Sarah Alvarado Metzger is Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Penn State Sokolov-Miller Family Financial & Life Skills Center. She is a native of Chicagoland and holds a B.A. in Secondary Education from DePaul University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Sarah has over a decade of experience teaching learners in secondary, post-secondary, and professional settings. She specializes in instructional design and delivery, support for learners, and educational technology. As lead presenter, Sarah oversees the workshop and first-year seminar programs. She is committed to helping Penn State students meet their financial and academic goals through customized, authentic learning experiences.
Money Question for Sarah: Love or Money?
"Many well-intentioned relatives have advised me to 'marry for money and love will come later.' As it happens, I've found the opposite to be true, and I always assumed their advice was given in jest anyway. It's true that a partner with money and power can enable us to reach our dreams, but if marrying someone we don't love leads to low relationship satisfaction and negative emotions, is it really worth it? I say, 'find yourself someone you love and let your positive emotions drive you to create wealth together.'"
Arintha Lynch is the Administrative Support Assistant for the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center. She provides general office support, oversees purchasing and reconciles the office budget. She is originally from Clearfield, PA and earned her Practical Nursing diploma from the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center. She started at Penn State as part of the Contact Tracing team in 2020. Prior to Penn State she was a home health nurse. Arintha understands how important financial literacy is to our well-being and health. She is excited to join a team that is passionate about helping the Penn State Community understand financial literacy.
Money Question for Arintha: What advice would you give to someone at the beginning of their financial wellness journey?
"Working in the healthcare industry has made me realize what an impact your finances can have on your well-being. My advice would be, take the time to really understand what financial literacy is. Be intentional in your money decisions. Sometimes small, intentional steps are worth the journey. I would also say it’s never too late to start on the path to financial wellness."
Abhirath Baiju is a junior at Penn State Behrend, double majoring in Business Economics and Finance. He is passionate about financial literacy, decision-making, and helping others become more confident with money. On campus, he serves as the President of the Financial Planning Association club, President of the Business Analytics Teams club, and a Global Ambassador.
Money Question for Abhirath: What is your favorite money philosophy?
"An ounce of wisdom can earn you a ton of gold." I believe that with the right knowledge and mindset, anyone can turn small financial habits into lasting success.
Jayden is a senior majoring in Finance at the Smeal College of Business. He is interested in financial compliance and legal matters within the financial industry. Outside of class, he is deeply involved in leadership and service, serving as President of the Korean Investment Association and Treasurer of PSU Ascend. Beyond academics, Jayden has a unique background—he played professional soccer in Korea before moving to the U.S., and he has played the piano for almost 10 years while continuing to stay active as a member of his school band.
Money question for Jayden: What's your favorite money quote?
"Frugality drives innovation, just like other constraints do. One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out."
Ryley Carroll is a senior studying Finance and Accounting at the Smeal College of Business. He began working at the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center in January 2024. Outside of the center, Ryley works as a Resident Assistant in North Halls and is involved with various clubs on campus. He enjoys playing ice hockey, hiking, and spending time with his dog, Winston.
Money Question for Ryley: What is your money philosophy?
"I believe budgeting should be treated as a personal framework, not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s the pathway to achieving financial goals and a reflection of individual utility and values. I won’t tell someone to cut spending on something they find important—because no two people have the same priorities. Our budgets should be as unique as our goals."
Talia Feeney is a sophomore majoring in Finance at the Smeal College of Business. Talia is involved on campus in Smeal Student Mentors, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Zeta Tau Alpha. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, going to concerts, and traveling.
Money Question for Talia: What advice would you give to someone at the beginning of their financial wellness journey?
“Give yourself grace. Starting your financial wellness journey is an important milestone, but it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Focus on steady, manageable progress and remember that financial wellness is a long-term commitment, not an overnight achievement.”
Peter is a fourth-year student at the Smeal College of Business studying finance, with a minor in information systems management. Peter has been working with the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center since December 2023 and has enjoyed seeing growth in his own personal finances as well as in his professional career. Outside of work Peter enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, fishing, and enjoying music.
Money Question for Peter: What advice would you give to someone at the beginning of their financial wellness journey?
"Relax… it’s ok if you don’t have it all figured out yet. Personal finance is a difficult topic, and it often takes months or years to build great habits. If you go over on your budget for a month, it’s not the end of the world. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Robert is a second year student studying Risk Management with an International Business minor. Robert has been working with the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center since December 2023 and enjoys teaching his peers about the benefits of and the path to financial wellness. Outside of work, Robert enjoys playing tennis, getting involved with THON, and hanging out with friends.
Money Question for Robert: Why do you work in financial wellness?
"I work in financial wellness for two reasons, one is to grow my knowledge and the other is to spread this knowledge to other students who may be seeking advice in financial wellness. In high school, I never took any personal finance or accounting classes, I came here to Penn State completely clueless when it came to financial wellness and other financial knowledge. However, my time working at the center has greatly exceeded that small piece of knowledge I started with - I'm grateful to have the opportunity to improve myself while helping other students!"
Haylee is a fourth-year Business and Project & Supply Chain Management student at Penn State Hazleton. She joined the Sokolov-Miller Financial & Life Skills Center in Spring 2025 and loves helping students learn about financial resources and life skills. Outside of work, she is a Lion Ambassador and an active member of THON, where she enjoys welcoming students and contributing to a positive campus experience. Outside of school, Haylee loves whitewater kayaking, reading, and listening to music.
Money Question for Haylee: Do you find saving money difficult? Why or why not?
"Saving money has been a deeply personal journey for me. As an independent student, I often felt the weight of every decision—choosing between a small treat and saving a little more toward my dream of college. There were days when I questioned whether all the sacrifices were worth it, and moments when I felt isolated by the financial challenges I was facing. But every time I resisted an impulse purchase, I reminded myself that I was investing in a brighter future. That sense of purpose, knowing that each saved dollar brought me closer to achieving my dream, provided a unique kind of fulfillment. The process wasn't just about numbers; it was a lesson in self-discipline, resilience, and the power of setting long-term goals. Looking back, even the toughest moments of tight budgeting feel worth it because they shaped me into someone who truly values and works for their future."
Alison is a senior majoring in Finance and Accounting, with a minor in Legal Environment of Business within the Smeal College of Business. Alison has been working with the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center since January 2025 and has been able to grow her skills in personal finance, public speaking, and professionalism as a result. Outside of work, Alison enjoys reading, going to concerts, traveling to new places, and cooking with friends.
Money Question for Alison: Is financial wellness more about mindset or numbers?
"Financial wellness is all about having a strong mindset. You can have all the money in the world and not be financially well if you aren’t smart with your money. You want to be able to be in a position where you have both the security and freedom to make choices in the present and future to where a decision won’t impact you negatively. Being financially well is possible with little money if you have the right mindset."
Brady is a senior studying Finance and Accounting at the Smeal College of Business. He began working at the Sokolov-Miller Financial and Life Skills Center in January 2024, giving presentations. Now, Brady co-hosts a personal finance podcast and meets one-on-one with students. He enjoys expanding his knowledge on various topics within personal finance and sharing this knowledge with his peers. Outside of work, Brady loves to stay active by lifting and running. He is involved in various clubs on campus to better himself and the University.
Money Question for Brady: What do you wish more students understood about money?
"I wish students knew that building your wealth takes time. Most of us will not be lucky enough to win the lottery so to achieve financial freedom we must stick to a plan. A few years ago, I was very interested in day trading to make money. Learn from my mistakes and invest for the long term where you let your money sit and grow. It sounds easy but will be challenging. Compounding interest is one of the great things in the financial world so take advantage of it!"