DSU students compete at Future Advisors Conference in Florida
In January, a group of students from Delaware State University got a brief reprieve from the blistering cold weather by traveling south to attend the Future Advisors Conference at the University of Florida.
DSU students Elijah Taylor, Kiabi Addison, Mason Berry, and Devin Momanyi are the first students from DSU ever to attend the conference.
The conference, hosted in partnership with Schwab Advisor Services and the Charles Schwab Foundation, is designed to bring together experienced financial advisors and the next generation of wealth management professionals.
At the event, the band of students participated in the FAC Financial Planning Challenge, where they prepared comprehensive financial plans for a panel of industry professionals to review and score.
In addition to the competition, students participated in networking events and attended panel discussions on various career paths in financial services, ranging from investment banking to financial planning.
Addison, who recently added financial planning and wealth management as a second major, shared her thoughts about the experience. “It was honestly an eye-opener for me,” said Addison. “I have only just begun, but being part of this event gave me a deep understanding of the opportunities in the field. I am very grateful for this experience and for the chance to meet such passionate people who share the same goals.”
Momanyi, a finance major, was proud to represent DSU as the only HBCU in the competition, and emphasized the importance of diversity in the financial planning field. “Being the only HBCU represented at the FAC was an honor, and it made this experience even more meaningful,” said Momanyi. “It showed that financial services need to continue embracing diversity and inclusion. This whole experience has motivated me to keep pushing forward and break more barriers in the finance world.”
Taylor, a liberal studies major, was moved by the experience and expressed gratitude about its impact on his personal and professional growth. “I thank God for this experience,” said Taylor. “I am blessed to have had that opportunity to network and grow, all while increasing my financial literacy skills. I think we did a great job representing Delaware State University, and I look forward to the rest of the academic year.”
Berry, a finance and banking major, said he appreciated the chance to explore the world of finance outside the classroom. “This conference was more than a competition—it challenged me academically, mentally, and socially. I gained invaluable insights from top finance professionals and had the opportunity to explore the field beyond the classroom with an incredible team,” said Berry.
Greg Coverdale, director of DSU’s wealth management program, attended the conference with the students and mentored them in preparation for the FAC Financial Planning competition.
“They showed a level of professionalism and commitment that was genuinely impressive,” Coverdale said. “The competition has allowed them to not only demonstrate what they’ve learned but also present real-world problems that they are facing to a panel of experts.”
“I’m so proud of how they represented DSU and the financial literacy program,” Coverdale added. “Although the competition was intense and DSU did not clinch the top prize, the students’ performance was commendable and earned respect from both their peers and judges.”
Written by Devin Bonner