Money Savvy Wildcats

About Us

The Money Savvy Wildcats program equips CWU students with skills for financial success.

Our staff is made up of faculty, staff, and students who are passionate about the ways in which financial planning can improve lives, and not just in Ellensburg – we believe that equipping students with skills to carry back to their families and communities can make a wide-reaching impact on financial literacy throughout Washington.

Meet the Money Savvy Team

Steele Campbell, PhD, JD, CFP®

Director, Center for Financial Planning and Well-Being; Associate Professor, Personal Financial Planning 

"I firmly believe that financial literacy has a compounding effect on families and individuals. It isn’t just the students I coach that are impacted – their parents, siblings, significant others, and kids all benefit from that one person who reached out and asked for help."  

Jessica Marten

Senior Peer Financial Coach, Majoring in Personal Financial Planning

"College life can be full of unknowns and is a great opportunity to learn valuable life skills. My goal as a peer financial coach is to equip my fellow students with the skills and confidence they need to navigate their financial journeys. I want to show that while personal finances can sometimes be stressful, they can also provide stability. We've all got plans and goals—let's work towards them together!"

Kayden Allen

Senior Peer Financial Coach, Majoring in Business Administration; Specializations: Personal Financial Planning, Finance 

“As a Peer Financial Coach and fellow student, I understand the financial challenges college life brings. My goal is to provide guidance that allows students to take control of their finances with confidence. In doing so, I aim to help students develop good habits that will create a strong foundation for lasting financial success.” 

Makayla Barcelo

Peer Financial Coach, Graduate Student - Masters in Business Administration

"My goal as a Peer Financial Coach is to make finances feel simple and approachable. With a background in accounting and experience assisting others with their taxes, I enjoy helping fellow students build personalized plans and habits that fit their goals, so they can feel more confident and in control of their financial futures."

Luis Zacarias

Peer Financial Coach, Majoring in Business Administration/Finance, Minoring in Construction Management

“I’m student myself, so I know how it feels when we don’t know what to do with our money or what to do when we run out of it and that can create stress. My mission as a Peer Financial Coach is to help students find balance and build new habits that can ease today’s worries and set them goals that will help gain more financial confidence."

Sam Matos

Peer Financial Coach, Majoring in Accounting

"College already comes with enough stress and managing your finances shouldn't have to add to it. As a Peer Financial Coach, I want to make money management as simple and approachable as I can. I enjoy helping students break down financial decisions into something clear and doable. My goal is to make sure you leave college not just with a degree, but with the confidence to handle whatever financial situations come your way."