Tag: career

Member Minute, News/Accolades

September 2025 Partner Spotlight

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At the heart of ISL Education Lending’s mission to support Iowa students and families in achieving postsecondary success is Shelly Adams, a dedicated Program Administrator and Communications Specialist. With a passion for financial literacy and a talent for clear, impactful communication, Shelly plays a pivotal role in helping families navigate the often-complex world of college planning and student loans.

ISL Education Lending, a nonprofit organization more widely recognized by its original name, Iowa Student Loan, offers private student loans with competitive interest rates—thanks to its nonprofit status. But its impact goes far beyond lending. Through a variety of free college planning tools, resources, and scholarships, ISL is committed to making higher education more accessible and affordable for Iowans.

One of Shelly’s most impactful contributions is her leadership of the SP3 – Student Planning Pointers for Parents program. This free email service delivers timely, grade-specific college and career planning advice to parents of students in grades 8 through 12. Every month, Shelly curates and distributes two insightful articles designed to empower parents in their role as advisors and supporters of their children’s educational journeys. The program also includes a quarterly drawing, where 40 participants are randomly selected to receive a $250 contribution to a 529 college savings plan—a meaningful incentive that makes planning for college even more rewarding.

Shelly is also deeply involved in promoting ISL’s scholarship initiatives. The ISL Education Lending Scholarship program, which runs in both fall and spring, awards 45 deposits of $1,000 into ISave 529 accounts. These awards benefit Iowa high school and undergraduate students—or their families—helping to ease the financial burden of higher education.

Looking ahead, Shelly is excited about ISL’s upcoming partnership with ICAN to launch Step1, a new scholarship search tool designed to simplify the process of finding financial aid opportunities. This initiative reflects her ongoing commitment to innovation and accessibility in education funding.

Beyond her work at ISL, Shelly is an active advocate for financial literacy across the state. Her involvement with Iowa Jump$tart, a coalition dedicated to advancing financial education, has allowed her to connect with like-minded professionals and contribute to events like the annual Educator’s Retreat. She also integrates many of these valuable resources into her SP3 content, ensuring families receive the most relevant and practical guidance available.

When she’s not championing financial literacy, Shelly enjoys the simple pleasures of life—spending time in her flower gardens, enjoying the outdoors, and relaxing with her three beloved cats (who she assures us do not make her a crazy cat lady!).

Shelly’s work is a testament to the power of education, communication, and compassion. Through her efforts, countless Iowa families are better equipped to plan for the future—and that’s something truly worth celebrating.

Member Minute, News/Accolades

August 2025 Partner Spotlight

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Dan James, a dedicated high school math teacher at Dallas Center-Grimes High School, is making a powerful impact both in and out of the classroom. Teaching all of the school’s financial literacy courses as well as a geometry class, Dan has become a cornerstone of financial education for his students. His influence extends beyond academics—he also coaches the girls’ high school soccer team and leads the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) huddle, building strong relationships and modeling leadership for the next generation.

Dan’s passion for teaching financial literacy stems from personal experience. Having learned some key financial lessons the hard way, he recognized the importance of equipping students with the knowledge to make smarter decisions early in life. What began 15 years ago as a small elective with only eight students has now grown into a graduation requirement at DCG—proof of Dan’s vision and the value students and families see in the course. His ability to connect curriculum to real-world situations has made a lasting difference in the lives of his students.

Favorite Classroom Resources: In his classroom, Dan makes great use of high-quality resources like Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) and the MIMIC personal finance simulation, helping students experience realistic scenarios that prepare them for life beyond high school. He is constantly seeking to improve and innovate, and credits organizations like Jump$tart for giving him opportunities to learn from other educators—both locally and at the national level. These connections have helped him bring fresh ideas and strategies back to his own school community.

Outside of his professional life, Dan enjoys traveling with his family and hunting during the fall and winter months. Whether in the classroom, on the court, or in the outdoors, Dan brings commitment, authenticity, and a desire to serve—qualities that make him a truly outstanding educator.

Member Minute, News/Accolades

July 2025 Partner Spotlight

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As Marketing Coordinator for the Iowa Bankers Association (IBA), Disa Erickson plays a role in supporting the organization’s mission to strengthen financial literacy across Iowa. Through leadership and coordination, the IBA equips member banks with key resources to help their customers achieve financial success and stay protected from fraud. These resources include best practice sharing, communication tools, sponsorship opportunities, and support for community outreach programs.

       Disa manages several of the IBA’s signature marketing programs, including the Student Athlete Achievement Awards, the Scenes of Iowa Calendars, and the annual Directory of Financial Institutions. She also leads the planning and execution of the association’s Iowa PBS Festival banker volunteer night and the IBA Convention silent auction. In addition to event and project management, she oversees the organization’s CRM system data and coordinates the marketing peer group to foster collaboration among industry professionals.

       Her contribution to financial education extends beyond her day-to-day responsibilities through her involvement with Iowa Jump$tart. Since stepping into her role at Iowa Bankers nearly five years ago, Disa has served on Iowa Jump$tart’s communications committee and currently chairs the group. Her efforts have helped expand the coalition’s reach and impact through newsletters and initiatives that share valuable financial education resources across the state.

        Outside of her professional commitments, Disa enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their 20-month-old daughter, Vivienne. She also enjoys taking PowerLife barre classes and binge-watching a good TV series.

Member Minute, News/Accolades

June 2025 Partner Spotlight

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Erick Danielson is the Vice President of Programs at the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN), an organization dedicated to helping students and families prepare for life after high school. Through ICAN, Erick plays a key role in delivering financial literacy and college planning resources across the state.

ICAN offers one-on-one appointments—both virtual and in-person—to assist families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and reviewing financial aid offers from colleges and universities. In addition to these appointments, ICAN hosts a range of events called How to Pay for College, held virtually, in communities, and in schools throughout Iowa. These sessions typically begin in students’ sophomore or junior years, helping them prepare for the financial aid process well before senior year.

Erick’s responsibilities are broad and hands-on. “I supervise the day-to-day operations of all the ICAN locations state-wide,” he says, “as well as hold appointments, presentations, and FAFSA events in my territory in Central Iowa.” His involvement ensures that families across the state have access to accurate, timely information as they navigate college costs.

He is also a very active member of Iowa Jump$tart. “Iowa Jump$tart has been a great organization to be involved with over the years,” Erick says. “I have made some great friends and connections.” One highlight for him is the annual Financial Literacy Challenge, held each April. “I have had the pleasure of being a judge 3–4 times for the event and it is amazing to see the presentations students put together from a case study they just got that day and have an hour to come up with a game plan. Love seeing the different ways the students tackle the case study. I am always wishing I knew at their age what they have learned already.”

Outside of his professional work, Erick enjoys sports—both watching and playing—but says his favorite activity is his family’s yearly beach vacation. “If I had to choose one thing, it would be our family’s annual beach vacation to Destin, Florida. I absolutely love being a ‘Beach Bum’ down there.”

Through his leadership at ICAN and engagement with Iowa Jump$tart, Erick Danielson continues to support students and families as they prepare for one of life’s biggest financial decisions: paying for college.

Member Minute, News/Accolades

May 2025 Partner Spotlight

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David Strege, CFP®, CKA®, of Syverson Strege, has been a dedicated supporter of financial literacy in Iowa for over two decades. As a board member of NEFE which is a founding member of Jump$tart, David has played a significant role in supporting the organization’s mission to prepare young people for lifelong financial success.

David’s interest in personal finance began during his time at Drake University. Originally studying actuarial science, he worked with the dean of the business school to help establish a personal financial planning track within the finance major. This early academic initiative set the stage for his broader impact on the profession, eventually leading to service on both national and state-level boards, including the Financial Planning Association and the CFP Board of Standards, where he helped shape best practices and educational standards. His leadership and expertise later led to an invitation to join the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).

David’s early work with the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) helped him become familiar with Jump$tart. NEFE’s high school financial planning program was one of the first initiatives he supported locally, providing essential resources for teachers and students alike. NEFE has since evolved to try to understand best techniques for teaching and learning about money. 

Over the years, David has contributed his professional expertise and time to further Iowa Jump$tart’s goals. Whether through participating on the board or speaking at events, his contributions have helped the coalition grow in scope and impact. 

David emphasized the growing impact of financial literacy programs in high schools, noting that “some of the students… had gone through the NEFE materials,” and are beginning to understand key principles like tracking spending and managing cash flow. He highlighted the importance of avoiding consumer debt, especially as students receive their first paychecks and mistakenly feel financially secure. To reinforce real-life financial lessons, Strege uses a “life-size game of life,” used at Wildwood and in schools, where students make decisions about education, careers, and life events to see the consequences play out. “It gives them a practice run at life,” he said, teaching them about topics like insurance, saving, and investing. 

Strege also reflected on the challenge of combating financial apathy, saying, “I run into a lot of people [who think] ‘I’m not going to worry about money,’” warning that such avoidance leads to greater issues later. He praised Iowa Jump$tart and other organizations for raising awareness and concluded with a powerful reminder: “This education and applying it is literally worth millions of dollars to them over their lifetime.”

David’s passion for financial education is grounded in personal values shaped by biblical stewardship and a commitment that has spanned four decades. “[Money] is one of our biggest tests during this lifetime,” he shared, highlighting the importance of open communication and practical decision-making around finances to create a peaceful world. He explored these ideas further in his article, The Societal Benefits of Financial Literacy, published in Financial Advisor Magazine. David continues to share this message with youth at Wildwood Hills Ranch and with members of his church community.

Through his leadership and ongoing commitment, David Strege exemplifies the spirit of Iowa Jump$tart. His work continues to inspire others to prioritize financial literacy and invest in the future of Iowa’s youth.

Member Minute, News/Accolades

April 2025 Partner Spotlight

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Carolyn Steckelberg is the Associate Professor of Practice at the ISU Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Sciences. She is also the Outreach and Education Specialist Consultant for the Financial Empowerment Center, Evelyn K. Davis Center.  Iowa State’s financial counseling and planning degree is the only undergraduate program of its kind offered in Iowa! Our curriculum will prepare you for professional work helping people through the complex process of financial decision making by providing them with advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes, and retirement. You’ll learn in the classroom and be able to gain hands-on experience in a variety of settings while you’re in school. Graduates with a financial counseling and planning degree are prepared for employment in organizations committed to improving the financial capability of individuals and families.

Iowa State’s financial counseling and planning degree is the only undergraduate program of its kind offered in Iowa! The curriculum will prepare you for professional work helping people through the complex process of financial decision making by providing them with advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes, and retirement. You’ll learn in the classroom and be able to gain hands-on experience in a variety of settings while you’re in school. Graduates with a financial counseling and planning degree are prepared for employment in organizations committed to improving the financial capability of individuals and families.

The Financial Counseling and Planning program is a CFP Board-Registered Program that meets specific criteria for educating individuals who wish to fulfill the education component for obtaining CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification. Earning the CFP® professional designation prepares you to be a more accomplished and effective adviser by providing the knowledge, credibility, and expertise needed to set you apart. 

The Financial Counseling and Planning program is also an AFCPE® Registered Education Program which offers students the opportunity to earn their Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) certification that enhances their degree and marks the highest standard of excellence in the field of financial counseling and education.

Carolyn teaches Personal Finance, Fundamentals of Financial Planning, and Financial Counseling and Lab. In addition to teaching, she serves as the faculty advisor and internship coordinator for Financial Counseling and Planning students. She provides financial counseling for students, faculty, and staff through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. As co-lead of the Bank On Iowa Coalition, she works to expand financial access for unbanked individuals. She also offers community financial education, including at the Polk County Jail. Her outreach includes workshops and one-on-one counseling to support financial wellness across various populations.

Carolyn enjoys being a part of the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition to surround herself with like-minded individuals and organizations who are passionate about providing free, non-commercial, unbiased, high quality financial education in our communities. She routinely connects with other coalition members for guidance and support, and connects students and clients with referral partners. She prefers to make a warm handoff to someone that she’s met and feel good about connecting with someone who maybe needs some additional help.

Caroyn’s favorite thing to do is find the time and space to be with her kids. Noel is a civil engineer with the City of Ames. Eva is in the doctorate in physical therapy program at Des Moines University. Nora is in the landscape architecture program at Iowa State University. She is finding it to be a difficult transition to be an empty nester. She also loves to spend time with friends and colleagues going out for food and drinks. She loves trying new things and meeting new people!