Athlete eyes future in financial management 

When Hannah Stires first arrived at CWU in the fall of 2020, she figured she would pursue a degree in elementary education. After all, Central is known as one of the best teaching schools around. 

But after she took a few business classes for general education credits, the native of Nine Mile Falls decided to shift her focus and pursue a degree in business administration, specializing in finance. 

“It’s completely different than what I started out doing, but I am so glad I chose the personal finance route,” said Stires, who selected CWU, in large part, because she was recruited to play volleyball. “I like it because I can use my education to help others — that’s the kind of work I want to be doing.” 

Stires knows what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, and her own personal experiences have shown her how important it is to start saving as early as possible. Even if you only begin with a small amount, it’s far more valuable than if you wait to invest it later, she advises. 

“The best thing I have learned in my CWU classes is that the long term is much more important than what you have now,” Stires said. “Financial advising isn’t just about managing money; it’s about giving your clients confidence that, even if they don’t know where to begin, there are people who can help.” 

Stires credits Edward Jones Financial Advisor Dave Fiske (’97 and ’99) with opening her eyes to how rewarding a career in personal finance can be. Fiske is a longtime volleyball program donor who has inspired Stires and her peers to consider the benefits of his chosen field. 

She also thanked College of Business professors Bill Provaznik and Thanh Nguyen for giving her the confidence she needed to keep going. Most of all, she owes a debt of gratitude to CWU volleyball coach Mario Andaya for unlocking her potential as a player and as a person. 

“I can’t thank him enough for giving me the opportunity to earn a college degree,” Stires said. “I never even knew I would have that chance because I didn’t know that I could afford college without a scholarship. He’s an amazing person, and the courage and confidence he has instilled in me is something I hope I can repay someday.” 

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This story appears in the latest edition of Voyage Magazine. The annual College of Business publication came out in April 2024.