In the ever-evolving landscape of financial education, Jaycob Arbogast stands out as a transformative figure at Chico State University. Recognized as the Outstanding Lecturer in Bringing the Profession to the Classroom, Arbogast integrates practical financial knowledge into academic settings, benefiting both business and non-business students.
With a background as a certified financial planner (CFP), Arbogast has initiated programs that push beyond traditional classroom boundaries. His creation of the Financial Planning Certificate program, available both on campus and online, has added seven new courses to the university’s finance curriculum. These courses align with real-world industry standards, providing students with the necessary education to sit for the CFP exam without incurring additional costs.
Beyond the classroom, Arbogast spearheads the Financial Wellness Clinic, one of the first of its kind on the West Coast. This initiative offers free financial literacy services to over 300 students annually. By partnering with programs like First-Year Experience and the Chico State Basic Needs Project, the clinic helps students navigate personal finance topics such as budgeting and debt management.
Arbogast’s influence extends to several student organizations, including the Financial Planning Club, Investors Club, Venture Capital Club, and the student-managed investment fund, Chico Creek Capital. His leadership includes taking students to national competitions in financial hubs like New York and San Francisco, providing them with firsthand exposure to the finance industry.
His success in securing over $100,000 from entities like the CSU Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for Financial Planning has been instrumental in supporting student employment, enhancing the FinTech Lab, and providing professional licensing scholarships.
Arbogast’s educational journey includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a minor in mathematics, and an MBA from Chico State. Since joining the university in 2017, he has served in various roles, most notably as the director of the Center for Excellence in Finance since 2021.
Reflecting on his teaching experience, Arbogast shares his passion for guiding students towards their future careers. “My favorite thing to do with students is to dream about the future they’ll have and help them get started on that journey,” he says.
One of his most memorable experiences was taking students to the QGAME conference in New York. This event offered networking opportunities with student-managed investment fund organizations from other universities, highlighting the potential of Chico State students.
Arbogast hopes that his students leave his classroom with valuable life lessons. He encourages them to avoid the pitfalls of “keeping up with the Joneses” and instead focus on personal goals. His advice is clear: start saving early, live within one’s means, and set realistic goals to achieve financial stability.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation and education, Jaycob Arbogast is undoubtedly shaping the future of financial education at Chico State, one student at a time.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://today.csuchico.edu/ofa-jaycob-arbogast/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.