From left are Wiley Jones, ASU School of Business Executive Advisory Board member and former Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Joyce Buckner-Brown, interim provost, ASU; James Creamer, senior vice president and area manager for the MidSouth Region, Wells Fargo Advisors; Ayana Collins, business execution consultant, Wells Fargo; Ruby E. Fenton, senior community impact and sustainability specialist, Wells Fargo; Dr. Antwon D. Woods, dean, ASU School of Business; and Dr. Tracy M. Cook, interim president, ASU.
Alcorn State University’s School of Business has partnered with Wells Fargo, a leading global financial services company, to improve financial health on the Lorman campus and in the local community by creating the Wells Fargo Finance Education Center.
Faculty, staff, students, local elected officials and Wells Fargo leaders gathered at the Dr. Rudolph E. Waters Sr. Classroom Building to celebrate the opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday.
Wells Fargo awarded Alcorn’s School of Business a $125,000 grant to establish the Finance Education Center.
Wells Fargo Finance Education Center
“The collaboration between Wells Fargo and Alcorn State University’s School of Business holds immense potential to revolutionize the way financial education is delivered,” said Dr. Tracy M. Cook, interim president. “The cutting-edge Financial Education Center will provide students with an exceptional educational experience that will enhance intellectual growth, critical thinking, and financial literacy skills, all of which are key to shaping well-rounded, globally competitive graduates for the workplace.”
The Wells Fargo Finance Education Center features stock trading and personal finance and economics education.
“Partnering with Wells Fargo to create our Financial Education Center is the epitome of excitement for us here at Alcorn School of Business,” said Dr. Antwon D. Woods, dean of the School of Business.
“At Wells Fargo, we are committed to diversifying the workforce in the financial services field as well as supporting historically Black colleges and universities,” said Ruby Fenton, Senior Community Impact and Sustainability Specialist at Wells Fargo. “Our $125,000 grant funding this financial education center at Alcorn State aims to make financial health more accessible while simultaneously nurturing the financial leaders of today and tomorrow.”
The collaboration reshapes traditional teaching methods by introducing simulated stock market investment activities through StockTrak, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context without real-world consequences, fostering a deeper understanding of finance.
“The strategic alliance between Wells Fargo and Alcorn School of Business speaks volumes about Wells Fargo’s commitment to moving financial education forward,” said Woods. “It demonstrates an understanding of the crucial bridge between theoretical understanding and real-world application in finance and business education. This opportunity not only aids a rich and well-rounded learning experience but also positions our students for future career success, marking an unprecedented advancement in financial education.”
