THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
2025 Centers of Excellence Impact Reports
In this collection of reports, you’ll read about the remarkable achievements of The College’s Centers of Excellence throughout 2025: how they expanded access to education and career opportunities, delivered programs that meet real needs in our profession and communities, and helped individuals from all educational and professional backgrounds grow, lead, and serve with purpose and confidence. From scholarship recipients pursuing meaningful career paths to innovative initiatives that narrow the wealth gap and strengthen financial capability, the impact of our Centers is profound and far-reaching.
This work is made possible because of the generosity and commitment of our donors and partners. Your belief in our mission empowers The College to meet critical challenges, support emerging leaders, and create opportunities that change lives. I’m deeply grateful for the trust you place in us. We are proud to share the tangible outcomes your support helps create. We honor that trust by stewarding every gift with care and by sharing the stories, numbers, and real-world impact created by your investment. Together, we are strengthening our profession and the communities we serve. Thank you.
Carol Parlin Prushan, Senior Vice President, Advancement & Alumni Relations
Scholarships: Impact in Action
In 2025, The American College of Financial Services continued to invest in the future of the profession by expanding access, opportunity, and impact through scholarships. Guided by the Office of Career Advancement and Scholarly Support, these awards help remove financial barriers at pivotal moments in students’ professional journeys, allowing them to focus on learning, growth, and leadership. More than financial support, scholarships create opportunities for students to make lasting contributions within the communities they serve.
Through a centralized approach to scholarship selection, the Office of Career Advancement and Scholarly Support connects scholars with the resources and guidance they need to thrive, from application through career advancement. This approach has strengthened access, consistency, and impact across scholarship programs. The following impact statements highlight the real-world outcomes of this work, demonstrating how scholarship support empowers the next generation of financial services leaders to pursue education and shape a more forward-thinking profession.
Scholarships Granted in 2025
A 2025 internal study of Scholar Outcomes, funded by the LPL Financial Foundation, speaks to the impact of our scholarships:
scholars promoted following program completion
of scholars experienced an increase in earnings following program completion
of scholars support clients facing barriers to quality financial guidance
WMCP® Scholar Joshua Benakis
As a financial services professional and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Joshua Benakis is working to close the financial literacy gap for underrepresented populations. In response to systemic barriers to financial education, he plans to develop a financial literacy program focused on essential skills, such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and investing.
By pursuing the Wealth Management Certified Professional® (WMCP®) designation, Benakis aims to strengthen his ability to deliver inclusive, high-quality financial planning to historically underserved communities. Speaking to the difference made by a scholarship, Benakis says, “Support like this not only reduces the stress of funding my education but also validates my presence in this industry. It empowers me to continue advocating for diversity and inclusion within finance, and to become a resource and role model for others who, like me, might not see themselves represented in this field yet.”
ChFC® Scholar Jennie Wells
As a driven financial advisor and mother of two, Jennie Wells is working to make planning-focused advisory practices more accessible, particularly for small business owners who often lack structured retirement plans. By pursuing the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation, she is deepening her expertise in holistic financial, tax, and estate planning, enabling her to better serve clients with fluctuating incomes and complex needs.
Despite significant personal and financial challenges, including serving as her family’s sole income provider and recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene, Wells remains committed to empowering her community through education, collaboration, and thoughtful planning. She shares, “Your support empowers me to grow my financial planning practice and deepen my commitment to serving my community. I am passionate about expanding my volunteer work with local organizations like ABCCM and Asheville Habitat for Humanity, where, among other supportive projects, I help to educate at-risk individuals build financial stability and secure brighter futures.”
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.
Stand Out as a Specialist
Deep knowledge is your growth engine. Discover how we can help you scale your business and deliver greater value.
The American College of Financial Services is committed to equal access to its educational programs, facilities, and employment for all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or any other protections afforded by applicable laws. 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.
© The American College of Financial Services
866-640-3748