club NEWS – AAUW

The Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women met Monday, February 10, at the First Congregational Church.

Tresa Landis introduced Jodi Kaus, director of Powercat Financial Counseling at K-State. Kaus earned her bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from K-State and a law degree from the University of Kansas. She also holds the designation of Certified Trust and Financial Adviser (CTFA). The financial counseling program is a peer-to-peer program where students studying financial planning or financial services offer counseling to fellow students. As director, Kaus works with two graduate assistants and 16 peer financial counselors.

According to Kaus the average undergraduate student at K-State faces $24,892 in debt upon graduation. Some 52% of students are recipients of federal loans. Through the program they can receive help and information on budgeting, credit use, identity theft, managing debt and loan management as well as how to prepare for the transition to work and issues involving marriage and money.

President Nancy Bolsen called the meeting to order. She encouraged as many members as possible to plan to attend the AAUW Kansas Annual Meeting which will be held in Manhattan on Saturday, April 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the Leadership Studies Building on the KSU campus.

President-elect Barbara Gatewood said AAUW members can give recent college graduates a free one-year membership within two years of graduation at no cost. A short paragraph about the program will be added under the “Join Us” section of the branch website.

Program chair Tresa Landis announced the next meeting will be held March 10 at the First Congregational Church. Dr. Sue Zschoche, an associate professor of history at KSU, will speak on the topic, “Celebrate Women’s History Month”.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan should go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.