Last fall, Barnard opened the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being to offer students, staff, and faculty a holistic approach to financial, mental, and physical health. Ranging from a state-of-the-art fitness center to programming that promotes financial wellness, the Francine LeFrak Center has numerous initiatives to set the standard for well-being in higher education.
One of these initiatives is the Financial Fluency Certificate Program, which welcomed its inaugural class in fall 2024. Over eight weeks, students engaged in peer-facilitated sessions led by LeFrak Student Ambassadors that explored critical topics like budgeting, credit cards, savings, and more.
“The certificate program empowered students with essential skills to both begin and navigate their financial journeys,” said April Autry, executive director of the Francine LeFrak Center.
The program, which will be offered again this spring, is designed to make financial fluency an accessible and transformative experience for the Barnard community.
“Financial fluency is a cornerstone of personal well-being and an essential life skill that aligns perfectly with the mission of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being,” said Autry. “By integrating financial education into our programming, we provide Barnard community members with the tools they need to build confidence, resilience, and stability in their lives. This initiative is about more than just managing money — it’s about fostering empowerment and preparing individuals for lifelong success.”
Below, the Francine LeFrak Center’s financial ambassadors and recent certificate program graduates provide ways to reduce stress by building healthy financial habits — offering the Barnard community a road map to financial success in 2025.
Merielen Espino ’26, LeFrak Financial Ambassador
Major in comparative literature; minor in political science
“It is a privilege to take control of one’s financial future. I hope to assist and empower others in their financial journeys and ensure they make their financial goals possible.”
- What’s In: Opening a high-yield savings account.
What’s Out: Transferring money from your savings account to your checking account.
- What’s In: Maxing out your credit card rewards. Have a travel card? Exchange those points for your next flight or use the cashback offer in your favor.
What’s Out: Maxing out your credit card; high credit usage impacts your credit score. If you use more than 30% of your credit limit, consider opening another credit card account.
- What’s In: Checking your spending and creating a budget.
What’s Out: Not checking your spending or avoiding your bank accounts.
Shannon Geraghty ’25, LeFrak Financial Ambassador
Major in history
“As a first-generation and low-income student, I quickly realized that earning a college degree alone would not be enough to secure a better future. I knew that I did not want to repeat the same mistakes that I witnessed growing up, so I took the initiative to educate myself about personal finance. Wanting to empower others with this knowledge, I became involved with the Francine LeFrak Center to share these lessons with my peers and the greater Barnard community.”
- Set: Three financial goals in the beginning of 2025 to focus on for the year.
- Allocate: A monthly date to sit down and review your finances — take a look at [spending and saving] habits and see if you are on track to achieve your goals. Make changes where necessary.
- Open: A credit card, a high-yield savings account, and a Roth IRA.
- Dedicate: Time each month to build on your financial knowledge. This could mean watching informative videos, reading about financial literacy, or visiting the Francine LeFrak Center.
Michaela Gary ’25, Financial Fluency Program Graduate
Major in computer science; minor in Africana studies
“I was drawn to the Financial Fluency Program because I wanted to learn about investing and ensure I am capable of managing my finances after graduation and supporting my goal of building generational wealth. I am proud to be part of the inaugural cohort that graduated from the program. During the program, I opened a Roth IRA and made the maximum contribution. I plan to do the same next year, while also maxing out my 401(k) to take full advantage of my employer’s match.”
- What’s In: Paying the entire credit card balance every month.
What’s Out: Paying only the minimum balance on a credit card.
- What’s In: Requesting free credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
What’s Out: Being uninformed about your credit.
- What’s In: Growing money in a high-yield savings account with high interest.
What’s Out: Storing money in a standard savings account with low interest.
Gabriela Sarahi Martinez Rodriguez ’28, Financial Fluency Program Graduate
Double major in economics and cognitive science
“As a freshman and an international student, I wanted to understand how to navigate my finances and the U.S. financial system. The more independent I become, the more I realize how essential financial literacy is for making informed decisions about my future. The Francine LeFrak Center was the perfect opportunity to start building these skills in a supportive environment.”
- Review: Go through your subscriptions, micro spending habits, and overall consumption. Look at what you want to keep and what does not align with [your financial goals]. Having this in mind makes us aware not only of the numbers but also of our needs and values.
- Get Started: Getting onto a path of financial literacy might feel overwhelming, but there are plenty of resources to help with this, such as tracker apps, easily accessible savings accounts, and — for Barnard students — the Francine LeFrak Center!
- For International Students: If one of your goals is to become financially independent, it is important to understand your visa-related financial options. There are plenty of opportunities, from on-campus jobs to internships, to earn and manage money within the U.S. system. Make obtaining a Social Security number a priority so that you can open a high-yield savings account and start building your financial foundation.
