A Financial Education Webinar Series
Financial wellness is about more than managing money—it is about feeling prepared, making informed decisions, and building greater confidence in your financial future. Presented by the USC Healthy Campus Financial Wellness Subcommittee, this three-part webinar series offers practical guidance for navigating unexpected expenses, developing effective and smart money management strategies, protecting your financial stability, and planning for the future through wills, trusts, and estate planning.
Whether you are strengthening your financial foundation or preparing for life’s next chapter, these sessions will provide useful information and actionable steps to support your financial well-being.
The sessions will take place from 12-1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month from March to May on Zoom.
Feel free to sign up for any or all sessions.
Upcoming Webinars
Session 1: Managing Expenses
Tuesday, March 2
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Webinar Overview
Feeling the pinch in your wallet? Learn practical ways to manage expenses and take greater control of your finances. This session will help you develop a financial action plan to better manage everyday expenses and make informed financial decisions.
Topics You’ll Explore
- Understanding and managing everyday expenses
- Developing a practical financial action plan
- Taking steps toward greater financial confidence and control
Presented by:
Ryan McDonald
Director of Business Development, USC Credit Union
With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, Ryan focuses on empowering USC faculty and staff through financial education. His goal is to equip members of the Trojan Family with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work toward lifelong financial success.
Session 2: Why Smart People Make Bad Financial Decisions: The Psychology of Saving, Spending, and Investing
Tuesday, April 6, 2027
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Webinar Overview
Even financially savvy individuals can make predictable mistakes when managing money. This session explores how our thoughts and behaviors influence saving, spending, and investing decisions, along with practical strategies to recognize common financial biases and make more informed choices.
Topics You’ll Explore
- Understanding the psychology behind financial decisions
- Recognizing common behavioral biases that affect saving, spending, and investing
- Exploring strategies to overcome financial decision-making mistakes
- Making more informed financial choices
Presented by:
Chris Parsons
Department Chair, Finance and Business Economics
Charles B. Thornton Professor of Finance
USC Marshall School of Business
Chris Parsons is a professor and researcher specializing in finance, investments, real estate, and labor economics. His research explores financial markets, economic behavior, and factors that influence financial outcomes. He has taught courses in USC Marshall’s MBA and real estate programs and previously held faculty positions at several universities.
Wes Miller
Associate Department Chair, Finance and Business Economics
Research Director, Tavakoli Center for Real Estate
Assistant Professor of Clinical Finance and Business Economics
USC Marshall School of Business
Wes Miller leads applied research at USC Marshall’s Tavakoli Center for Real Estate, connecting academic research with industry practice. His professional background includes research positions at USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate and the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.
Session 3: Estate Planning Basics
Tuesday, May 4, 2027
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Webinar Overview
Estate planning is an important step in protecting your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are understood. This session introduces essential estate planning tools and considerations, helping you better understand your options and take practical steps toward planning for the future.
Topics You’ll Explore
- Understanding wills, trusts, and estate planning basics
- Learning about beneficiary designations and probate
- Exploring powers of attorney and their purpose
- Identifying practical estate planning steps for different stages of life
Presented By:
Melissa Cella
Vice President | Financial Advisor
CAPTRUST
Melissa Cella is a financial advisor based in Folsom, California, who works with individuals, families, and businesses to develop personalized financial strategies. Before joining CAPTRUST in 2023, she spent more than 15 years in strategic planning and financial analysis in the healthcare sector. She is passionate about helping clients navigate financial decisions through different stages of life.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This webinar series is designed for USC faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and retirees who want to strengthen their financial knowledge, make informed financial decisions, and gain practical strategies for managing expenses, protecting their finances, and planning for the future. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to build on your financial knowledge, everyone is welcome!
If you have questions or would like to request accommodations to support your participation, email Julie Chobdee, Associate Director, Health & Well-Being Program, at Jchobdee@usc.edu.