At the Center of Excellence, our vibrant array of activities extends learning beyond the traditional classroom, connecting students directly with the pulse of the financial industry. We foster an environment of continuous growth through immersive experiences designed to build critical skills, expand professional networks, and ignite a passion for innovation. Explore how our dynamic programming enriches your educational journey and prepares you for real-world success.
Expert Speaker Series
Gain unparalleled insights from leading financial professionals such as portfolio managers, fintech innovators, and economists sharing their experiences, market forecasts, and career advice.
Hands-On Workshops
Develop practical, in-demand skills through intensive workshops to comprehensive training in wealth management software. These sessions are led by industry practitioners and provide actionable knowledge you can apply immediately.
Exclusive Networking Events
Forge invaluable connections with potential employers, alumni mentors, and industry leaders at our tailored networking receptions, career fairs, and mentorship programs. These events provide a direct pathway to internships, job opportunities, and long-term professional relationships.
Stories
Financial Literacy Day 2024
In April 2024, Winston-Salem State University hosted its first Financial Literacy Day, organized by the Center for Excellence in Financial Services (CEFS), home of WSSU’s BBA with a concentration in Financial Planning. The event gave students, faculty, and staff a space to learn, connect, and walk away with tools they could use immediately.
Students engaged in sessions like Money and Trauma and Credit and Confidence, where financial lessons were tied to lived experiences and practical steps. Faculty and staff explored Planning for Retirement, underscoring that financial well-being matters at every stage of life.
At midday, Hill Hall came alive as The Black Effect Podcast recorded a live taping, blending culture and conversation in a way that resonated with attendees. Partners including State Farm, Vanguard, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, and Allegacy Credit Union anchored the day, showing their commitment to financial empowerment on campus.
“This event showed that financial literacy is about more than numbers — it’s about empowerment, wellness, and preparing for the future,” said Dr. Terrance K. Martin, Associate Professor of Financial Planning and Director of CEFS.
The Center for Excellence in Financial Services at WSSU remains committed to expanding Financial Literacy Day and strengthening financial knowledge for students, faculty, and the wider community.
WSSU Financial Planning Students Earn First eMoney Certification
In Spring 2024, Winston-Salem State University reached a teaching milestone in FIN 4385: Advanced Financial Planning. For the first time, all 16 students in the course — part of the BBA with a concentration in Financial Planning, housed in the Center for Excellence in Financial Services (CEFS) — trained on eMoney Advisor and earned official certification.
The accomplishment positioned WSSU among a select group of institutions embedding professional certifications directly into the curriculum. Guided by Dr. Terrance K. Martin, Associate Professor of Financial Planning and Director of CEFS, students gained both technical proficiency and a credential widely recognized across the financial planning industry.
“Certification in eMoney gives our students a competitive edge,” Martin explained. “It shows employers that WSSU graduates are prepared to contribute immediately with the same tools used in firms nationwide.”
This first round of certifications reflects CEFS’s mission of preparing students not only with knowledge, but with practical readiness that bridges classroom learning and industry standards.
The Center for Excellence in Financial Services at WSSU remains committed to expanding certifications and creating pathways that prepare students for leadership in the financial planning profession.
HUD Awards $4 Million to WSSU for Research on Housing and Financial Literacy
In Fall 2024, Winston-Salem State University was awarded a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a Research Center of Excellence. As part of the leadership team, Dr. Terrance K. Martin, Associate Professor of Financial Planning and Director of the Center for Excellence in Financial Services (CEFS), serves as Co-Principal Investigator, focusing on financial literacy and rural housing issues.
The project examines how financial education can strengthen housing stability in under-resourced rural communities, including areas in North Carolina, the Navajo Nation, and Guam. By combining housing research with financial capability initiatives, the center aims to address systemic challenges while promoting long-term community resilience.
“This grant allows us to connect financial literacy directly to housing and community development,” Martin said. “It’s about using education as a tool for stability and empowerment.”
The initiative reflects CEFS’s mission to extend financial planning education beyond the classroom, linking scholarship with tangible improvements in people’s lives.
CEFS Supports Youth Entrepreneurship Through YEP Program in Winston-Salem
The Center for Excellence in Financial Services (CEFS) at Winston-Salem State University recently expanded its outreach by supporting the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), founded by Mr. Alvin Borders, in the Winston-Salem community. YEP sponsors business pitch competitions for middle school students, encouraging them to develop entrepreneurial ideas and present their visions to a panel of judges.
Through a donation from CEFS, the program provided resources to help nurture these young innovators. Dr. Terrance K. Martin, Associate Professor of Financial Planning and Director of CEFS, also served as a judge, experiencing firsthand the energy and creativity of the participants.
“I was so impressed with the middle school students,” Martin said. “Their ability to think critically and present real business ideas shows that entrepreneurship can be fostered early. CEFS is proud to support opportunities that build confidence and spark ambition in Winston-Salem’s youth.”
By investing in YEP, CEFS underscores its commitment to financial education and entrepreneurship as cornerstones of community development — reaching beyond the university to inspire future leaders at every level. This effort complements the Center’s broader work through initiatives like Rams in the Black and Financial Literacy Day, strengthening the link between WSSU and the Winston-Salem community.
The Center for Excellence in Financial Services at WSSU remains dedicated to partnerships that empower and uplift the Winston-Salem community and its next generation of leaders.
