Each year, as Bucknellians prepare to embark on their post-graduation journeys, the Freeman College of Management offers a crucial resource to help them navigate the financial realities of adulthood. The Freeman Personal Finance Workshop, led by Professors Curtis Nicholls and Stacy Mastrolia of the Accounting and Financial Management Department, isn’t just another seminar—it’s a crash course in financial survival. Covering everything from budgeting and taxes to credit, debt, insurance and investing, the workshop arms students with the knowledge they need to avoid common financial pitfalls and make smarter money decisions.
What started as a handful of lunch seminars under Bucknell’s Center for Career Advancement (CCA) has since evolved into a full-fledged program, thanks to the support of the Boyer Family Foundation. Nicholls recalled, “Back in 2010 or 2011 (I forget which exact year), the CCA approached us to present in a series of lunch workshops they had organized for seniors centered around preparing for life after Bucknell. They deserve a lot of credit for getting the ball rolling.” Since then, the Freeman College of Management has taken the reins, expanding the program with additional support from Beta Alpha Psi, the honor society for accounting, finance and business analytics students. Now, anywhere from 50 to 80 students take part in the workshop each year, which provides two meals, financial literacy books and interactive sessions designed to make personal finance feel less intimidating and more actionable.
For many seniors, graduation marks the first real taste of financial independence, and that reality can be daunting. Between managing student loans, figuring out how much of that first paycheck actually lands in their bank account after taxes and making major decisions like signing a lease or choosing a retirement plan, there’s a lot to take in. That’s where the workshop comes in. “You have to be proactive! No one else is going to care about your finances more than you, and hiding from them is a recipe for anxiety and disaster,” Nicholls emphasized. “There is a lot to learn, and the workshops provide a great foundation.”
One of the biggest eye-openers is just how different a job offer’s salary looks once deductions kick in. “We regularly have students looking at post-graduation leases without adjusting for this lower amount, so attending this workshop has saved many students from signing an untenable lease,” Nicholls explained.
And it’s not just rent—many students also overlook insurance, an often-dismissed yet critical component of financial security. “While insurance may not be top-of-mind for graduating seniors, having the right insurances, in the right amounts, can help prevent financial disasters,” Mastrolia added.
None of this would be possible without the generous backing of the Boyer Family Fund, which has kept the program accessible for years by covering costs for meals, financial literacy materials and other workshop expenses. “Their support has been critical to making this program accessible to thousands of students over the years,” Nicholls said. Thanks to this funding, students can take part in the workshop without having to pay out of pocket, ensuring that financial literacy isn’t just reserved for those who already have the privilege of financial security.
The workshop’s impact speaks for itself. When asked about success stories, Nicholls admitted there are “many, many stories. It is hard to choose one.” However, one particularly memorable case involved a student overwhelmed by the complexities of medical insurance as they transitioned into the workforce. “The student was anxious about the situation and had no idea where to go for help. After the workshop, the student was able to confidently analyze the options and make a choice that fit their health needs,” he shared. Moments like these reinforce the workshop’s value—not just in the short term, but in setting students up for lifelong financial confidence. “Taking control early can lead to significant, positive outcomes; conversely, failure to act can lead to significant, negative outcomes,” Nicholls explained. “A little direction at the start of your career can completely change your financial trajectory.”
With 50 students already registered for the 2025 session, demand for the workshop remains strong. And while the format has remained largely the same over the years, its effectiveness is undeniable. For Bucknell seniors looking to gain financial confidence before graduation—or just make sure they don’t accidentally sign a lease they can’t afford—the Freeman Personal Finance Workshop is a no-brainer.
The Workshop will occur on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 from 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in Holmes Hall. Students with any additional concerns can reach out to Professors Nicholls and Mastrolia or check the Freeman College of Management’s website for more details.
