About Money Matters:
The Student Navigation Center’s Money Matters program offers workshops, expert talks, and one-on-one financial health counseling to help students build lifelong financial wellness. Through engaging events each semester, Money Matters empowers students to take control of their personal finances and make informed money decisions for the future.
Events
Upcoming Events:
Event: Building Confidence with Money
Date: January 28, 2025
Time: 5:30-7 pm
Location: Forten 123
Pizza will be served!
Building Confidence With Money
Guest Speaker: Maria Connell, CPA
Founder, 360 Finance LLC
Money touches nearly every life decision — yet most of us are never taught how it works.
This interactive session introduces a Financial Wellness Pillars framework designed to help students build confidence with money before they feel like they have everything figured out. The focus isn’t wealth or perfection — it’s clarity, stability, and informed choice. Read more information about this event.
What You’ll Leave With
- A simple framework for thinking about money
- Practical tools you can use right away
- Greater confidence asking financial questions
- Reassurance that financial wellness is a process, not a destination
Who This Session Is For
Students at any stage — no prior financial knowledge required.
About the Speaker
Maria Connell, CPA, is the Founder of 360 Finance LLC and a financial educator who views finance as a form of stewardship. She works with individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses across Massachusetts to build financial clarity and long-term resilience.
We have upcoming events being planned. Please check back with us! We will also be promoting the events on the and website.
Past Events:
Financial Peace of Mind
Trustee Samanda Morales shared her expertise on achieving financial wellness. Students learned skills to manage their money effectively and secure their financial future. Trustee Morales is the chair of Salem State's Board of Trustees and a registered Investment Advisor and Financial Coach.
Credit for Life
The Student Navigation Center and Orientation offices teamed up with the Institution for Savings to host an interactive simulation where students chose professions and 'spent' their monthly 'salaries' on everything from housing and transportation to groceries, insurance, and more.
Microwave Meal demo
Cooking smart and saving smart!
Campus dietitian Olivia and SSU Navigation Money Matters Center held a Microwave Meal Demo. Learn how to make easy, affordable microwave meals like French Toast Mugs and Buffalo Chicken Dip — using ingredients you can find right on campus at our mobile food pantry!
Give Your Wallet a Treat: Learn the Tricks of Banking
The Student Navigation Center held an in-person lunch and learn Money Matters event. Feed your mind and your body! Professional bankers taught students about the benefits of bank accounts, building financial relationships, and situations to avoid.
Guest Speaker: Stephen Martiros, founder of Kindros
The Student Navigation Center strives to help students have better control over their finances and to learn the language of money. To help us achieve this goal, we invited Stephen Martiros, the founder of Kindros, to visit our campus to speak with students. Kindros is a public benefit corporation focused on increasing people’s financial knowledge and well-being. Salem State students and community member can create their own free account.