#United States #Financial Planning #Cerity Partners #Bowling Green #WKU

Cerity Partners Enhances Financial Planning Program at WKU

In a landmark announcement, Cerity Partners, one of the country's prominent independent wealth management firms, has unveiled a major philanthropic initiative benefiting the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University (WKU). This generous contribution designates the Personal Financial Planning Program as the Cerity Partners Financial Planning Program, a move designed to fortify the future of financial education in the region.

The backing from Cerity Partners emphasizes its dedication to shaping the next generation of financial professionals. The university has established itself as an early leader in integrating a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certificate into its curriculum, enabling students to qualify for the CFP® exam upon their graduation. This distinction uniquely positions WKU graduates within the competitive financial sector.

By enhancing WKU’s curricular offerings and providing opportunities for real-world experience, Cerity Partners seeks to create a robust educational environment. This includes offering internships, mentorship programs, and sponsoring capstone projects. Special events such as Professionalism Week and the Personal Finance Summer Camp will also receive support as a part of this collaboration. These initiatives not only aim to bolster academic excellence but also provide students with hands-on experiences that are crucial in today's evolving industry.

Jason Waters, a partner and market leader at Cerity Partners, shared his enthusiasm for this partnership. "As an alum and a leader at Cerity Partners, I find supporting WKU through this gift particularly meaningful. Our goal is to enhance the financial planning program, equipping future leaders with essential tools to thrive. This reflects our commitment to education and community upliftment,” he stated.

With a strong alumni pool comprising over 50 local leaders from WKU, Cerity Partners perceives this partnership as a natural extension of its commitment to advancing financial education and career pathways within Kentucky. Andy Wolfgang, Chief Training and Quality Officer, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the establishment of the Cerity Partners Financial Planning Program aligns with their vision of continuous investment in learning and development, which they foster in their own employees through the Cerity Partners University (CPU) initiative.

Just as CPU infuses technical proficiency along with leadership, management, and business development training, the newly named financial planning program at WKU aspires to prepare students for successful careers amidst a dynamic financial landscape.

Overall, the Cerity Partners Financial Planning Program is anticipated to act as a central hub for student achievement, business collaboration, and academic leadership, enhancing WKU's reputation as a top-tier institution for aspiring financial professionals. Through this new program, students will not only gain academic knowledge but also develop practical skills essential for navigating and excelling in the finance sector.

With Cerity Partners’ longstanding reputation and commitment to community engagement, this partnership positions WKU to continue elevating its financial planning education while cultivating a new generation of leaders ready to tackle the challenges in the finance world today.

Founded in 2009, Cerity Partners is recognized as a full-service wealth management firm, dedicated to serving high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. For more information on their offerings and the scope of their initiatives, visit ceritypartners.com.