Wells Fargo Advisors boosts financial literacy for A&M-Victoria students
Wells Fargo Advisors has committed $25,000 to Texas A&M University-Victoria in an effort to create stronger financial literacy and to provide career opportunities for its students.
The grant, which originated from a collaboration with Barron’s, a prominent financial publication, aims to provide students with access to financial news and resources, said Amanda Collins, senior financial advisor and managing director-investments at Wells Fargo Advisors.
“I believe it's essential to promote financial literacy among young people, especially since I wasn’t aware of the diverse career opportunities in finance when I was younger,” Collins said. “And so, I’d like to foster that in the next generation.”
Collins’ own career path, which began in engineering before shifting to economics, law and ultimately finance, has made her especially passionate about helping young students discover the diverse opportunities available in the finance industry, she said.
“We are so thankful to Amanda for her investment in education in Victoria. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to engage and offer our students a unique resource to complement the work and knowledge that they are receiving in the classroom,” said Amber Countis, vice president for advancement and external relations. “I love that as we start as Texas A&M University-Victoria, Amanda and Wells Fargo Advisors are eager to support and advance the experience our students are receiving. I am so appreciative of her partnership and support.”
The grant is not only about giving back to the community and supporting education, but also about identifying and nurturing future talent for her team, Collins said. While Wells Fargo Advisors has supported similar educational efforts at other universities, this is the first time such a program has come to A&M-Victoria, she said.
“This generous donation will be a game-changer for A&M-Victoria,” said Xavier Garza-Gomez, interim dean of the College of Business. “Our students will gain access to industry leading investment analysis and expert market commentary – resources regularly relied upon by industry professionals. By engaging with the same platforms trusted by financial analysts and investors, they’ll develop hands-on skills in interpreting and managing financial data. These insights will also strengthen their personal finance knowledge and economic literacy. Faculty, too, will benefit tremendously. Having real-time case studies and current market data at their fingertips will enrich classroom discussions and assignments, bringing theory to life in powerful ways. This initiative elevates the academic experience for our entire A&M community, and I’m deeply grateful to Amanda and her team for making it possible.”
While the original intention was to support the College of Business, the size of the donation allows the university to extend these resources to a larger group, potentially reaching up to 2,500 students who could have the chance to benefit from these financial publications, said Rhiannon Smith, assistant dean in the College of Business.
The Barron’s and Market Watch subscriptions are expected to play a key role in both classroom instruction and students’ personal development, she said. These resources will be integrated into finance, investment and accounting courses to enhance the learning experience, Smith added.
“We sincerely thank Amanda Collins and the entire Wells Fargo Advisors team for their vision and support,” Smith said. “Their investment in our students’ education will have a lasting impact, helping to prepare the next generation of business leaders and financially savvy graduates.”
Wells Fargo & Company has a history of encouraging employees to invest in education, including matching donations and supporting staff involved in educational initiatives, Collins said. Education is a universally valued cause, and promoting financial literacy benefits both individuals and the broader community, she emphasized.
In additional to the grant, Collins spoke to a freshman “Intro to Business” class at A&M-Victoria on Oct. 28. She shared her own career experiences and spoke on the importance of adaptability and being open to unexpected changes in one’s professional journey.
“The theme with everything I’ve done is not being afraid to pivot from the course you’re on and make changes when necessities arise,” Collins said. “You can lead and grow and succeed when the path doesn’t look like the one you had planned.”
Wells Fargo Advisors, a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
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Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.