THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
2024 Centers of Excellence Impact Reports
“As the newly appointed Associate Vice President, Centers Strategy and Operations in 2024, I have had the unique joy of helping to drive, coordinate, and support innovation across The College's varied and esteemed Centers of Excellence in 2024. More than ever before, our Centers are demonstrating true impact across financial services, uplifting our profession, opening doors of opportunity for deserving individuals looking to advance in their careers, and promoting thought leadership essential to the growth of our profession. I look forward to continuing to support our Centers in 2025 as we seek to leave an even larger impact on financial services and on those who have chosen to build their career within it.”
—Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, Associate Vice President, Centers Strategy and Operations
Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, Associate Vice President, Centers Strategy and Operations
Office of Career Advancement and Scholarly Support
Throughout 2023 and 2024, The American College of Financial Services thoughtfully designed and operationalized its new Office of Career Advancement and Scholarly Support. Motivated by the benefits that centralization will have upon the scholar and further spurred by recent changes to affirmative action, we firmly believe the design will foster a new generation of leaders. These leaders will use innovative thinking to challenge long-standing industry norms and best meet society’s evolving needs.
The Office of Career Advancement and Scholarly Support guides individuals on their journey from scholarship application to thriving in their professional careers. The office recently implemented a centralized scholarship application and selection process that has proven effective in seeking out individuals who are well-positioned to make meaningful community change.
Scholarships Granted in 2024
Among the selections last year were two recipients who are determined to broaden access to financial services and assist their own communities.
Rebeca Cotton
As a Hispanic woman, veteran, and military spouse, Rebeca Cotton has a passion for helping those in need. While working alongside fellow military families, Cotton saw a need to address the financial challenges they faced. This led to her establishing the Military Spouse Financial Empowerment Network (MSFEN), which offers workshops, mentorship, and one-on-one counseling to those seeking financial guidance.
Cotton is currently pursuing her Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) certification, thanks to her scholarship. She views the scholarship as a critical step in her career journey, acknowledging how the scholarship will “significantly alleviate the financial burden of pursuing advanced education in financial planning” and allow her to “focus on acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills." Once her program is complete, Cotton plans to stay true to her mission and provide affordable, tailored financial services to those in need.
Bao Vo
A first-generation immigrant, Bao Vo is driven by a deep passion to uplift friends and neighbors in the Vietnamese community. Seeing a need to assist in the financial services space, Bao wanted to dispel negative attitudes surrounding financial planning, especially from the older generation within the community. By establishing a path for younger generations to understand and become more involved in their financial futures, Bao wants to “offer free classes on investing, wealth management, and financial literacy to the next generation.” By starting with high school and college students, Bao wants to teach strong financial habits early and build a future with lasting financial security.
Bao’s scholarship offers an opportunity to begin realizing this dream through the Wealth Management Certified Professional® (WMCP®) program. Bao intends to pursue further designations in the near future, including education leading to the CFP® certification and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®).
A Legacy of Industry Leadership
Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation's largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College's faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.
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The American College of Financial Services provides equal opportunity to students and employees, regardless of race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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