Financial Wellness is geared toward engaging students in financial literacy programs and providing a place for peer mentorship through the MoneyCATS team. Financial Wellness also provides excellent resources for the University of Kentucky student body to stay connected and well equipped to handle their evolving financial needs.
To schedule an appointment, ask questions, find program recommendations, or to join the MoneyCATS team, contact the Student Financial Wellness Center at 859-323-5241 or moneyCATS@uky.edu.
Jonathan
Jonathan Wheeler is a sophomore chemical engineering student from Springfield Kentucky. He joined MoneyCATS to help UK students, and to share the spirit of frugality he learned as the youngest in a family of 9 in rural Kentucky. Jonathan enjoys playing musical instruments and singing in his free time, and is an active member of the UK Newman Center.
Danielle
Danielle Young is a senior public health major. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio, but moved to Morehead, KY a few years ago. Danielle joined MoneyCATS to help students succeed financially in their undergraduate experiences; Danielle has seen how stressful finances can be from her experience helping students in the financial aid office. In addition to helping students through MoneyCATS and the financial aid office, Danielle is a UK public health ambassador.
Rachel
Rachel Madden is a second year graduate student from Dry Ridge, KY. She is pursuing a masters of social work with a music therapy certification. Rachel is also involved with the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM). In her free time, she enjoys baking chocolate chip cookies, playing volleyball, and listening to live music.
Emma
Emma Deye is a sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky. She is majoring in finance at the University of Kentucky. Emma joined MoneyCATS to help other students plan for their financial future, so they will be able to continue to attend to UK. Outside of MoneyCATS, Emma is a UK 101 Peer Instructor, Business Team Lead for UK Solar Car Team, and the Vice President of Finance for her sorority. A fun fact about Emma is that she has two different color eyes.
Gail
Gail Marcos is a sophomore finance major from Northern Kentucky. After hearing about the good work MoneyCATS was doing on campus, Gail was excited to join the team to help bring financial wellness to students in a unique way as a peer coach. Gail enjoys playing tennis on nice spring days, and a fun fact about her is that she is Cuban.
Jayla
Jayla Burgess is a sophomore double majoring in accounting and finance from Henderson, KY. She joined MoneyCATS because she believes it is important for everyone, especially college students, to have a financial wellness education so they can lead a financially secure life. In addition to MoneyCATS, Jayla is involved with Beta Alpha Psi, a volunteer for Junior Achievement, and the VP-Finance for Alpha Chi Omega.
Nicholas
Nicholas Bryant is a senior from Louisville, Kentucky. After graduating with a degree in Finance, he plans to attend Xavier University and obtain his masters of health-services administration. In addition to currently serving as a peer coach for MoneyCATS, he has served in many administrative and financial leadership positions within his Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and other organizations he has been involved in.
Jamar
Jamar Johnson is a senior business communication major from Louisville, Kentucky. He joined MoneyCATS as a peer coach after realizing the need for improved financial wellness on campus. As a peer coach at MoneyCATS, Jamar wants to serve as an on-campus resource to help relieve students’ financial stress. Jamar also works with UK Athletics as a Marketing Intern, and plans to continue worki
Kyra
Kyra is a first year Master of Public Health student from Apex, NC. She completed her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University and is now the practicum student for the Student Health and Well-Being unit and the Student Financial Wellness Center. She is currently the treasurer for the Student Public Health Association and her dream job is to do suicide prevention on college campuses. A fun fact about her is that she did martial arts for 11 years before going to college.
Emma
Emma is a sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky. She is majoring in finance at the University of Kentucky. Emma joined MoneyCATS to help other students plan for their financial future, so they will be able to continue to attend UK. Outside of MoneyCATS, Emma is a UK 101 Peer Instructor, Business Team Lead for UK Solar Car Team, and the Vice President of Finance for her sorority. A fun fact about Emma is that she has two different color eyes.
Dean is a sophomore from Goshen, KY majoring in economics and political science/international business. Dean believes that it is both incredibly important for everyone to be able to obtain an affordable education and for every student at UK to understand their finances, so they can best prepare to survive and thrive in a global market. This passion for financial literacy led Dean to join the MoneyCATS Team. In addition to being a MoneyCAT, Dean is also a member of UK’s Student Government Association and loves going to UK basketball games. One of Dean’s personal goals for this year is to meet one new person a day!
Kayla is a sophomore from Pinson, AL majoring in sociology. Kayla realized that, while an understanding of finances is an essential part of being an adult, financial literacy is not stressed in high schools. Kayla wants students to know that they do not have to be a finance major to be able to learn about and understand finances, which lead to her becoming a MoneyCAT! She is also involved in the Air Force ROTC on campus and loves reading and drawing in her free time. On Brooke’s bucket list is to go on a cruise and travel to Japan!
Arianna is a junior transfer student from BCTC originally from Flaherty, KY majoring in International Studies with a Business minor. Since high school, Arianna has been researching scholarships and the best options for affording tuition. Last year, through her position at BCTC, she was able to help students achieve success in their classes. Then after transferring to UK, decided to merge both interests-- tuition affordability and assisting students-- by joining the MoneyCATS team. She is also a member of Phi Beta Lambda and this summer was able to study abroad in France.
Ariel is a junior from Elizabethtown, KY majoring in accounting and finance. Ariel wanted to become a MoneyCAT to help provide students with the financial resources they need to have a successful college experience and help prepare them for the future. In addition to her role as a MoneyCAT, Ariel is also the president of the National Association of Black Accountants, peer advisor for the Graham office, and member coordinator for the UK Forte Rising Stars Club. On her bucket list, Ariel hopes to one day travel abroad for a service!
CJ is a junior finance and business management major from St. Louis, MO. CJ understands that money management isn’t always as easy as it seems and a lot of students feel a little wallet conscious when ordering appetizers or seeing that Apple Music bill, whereas others seem to have it all figured out. CJ became a MoneyCAT to help UK students figure it out. Outside of MoneyCATS, CJ is also a Gatton Ambassador, NABA Director, K Crew Leader, and Elite Intramural Athlete. On CJ’s bucket list, he hopes to one day give a TedTalk and would love to travel to South Africa. A fun fact about CJ is that he once ding-dong-ditched Yadier Molina!
Eric is a junior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin majoring in Integrated Strategic Communications and minoring in Economics. Before attending the University of Kentucky, Eric was a team leader in the US Army and is currently involved in Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and the Student Veteran Association. Eric enjoys playing and inventing new sports and listening to music in his free time.
Gosia is a junior from Lexington, KY majoring in accounting. As college can be a financially straining time in one’s life, Gosia decided to become a MoneyCAT to help those going through these hard financial situations. When she is not advising students as a Peer Coach, she loves to watch The Office, hike, and explore the coffee shops around Lexington.
Morgan is a junior from Louisville, KY majoring in mathematics and economics with a minor in statistics. She decided to become a MoneyCAT to help relieve her peers’ financial stress and help optimize their college experience by showing them the financial tool and resources available to them. In addition to being a MoneyCAT, she is also an undergraduate teaching assistant for the MathExcel Program, Secretary of the Actuarial Society, and Liaison for the Economics Society. Outside of academics, Morgan loves watching Parks and Recreation and going to the Kentucky Theatre.
Brooke is a senior from Cincinnati, OH majoring in business management with a minor in communications. Brooke joined MoneyCATS to help students understand and practice good financial choices both now and in the future. In addition to MoneyCATS, she is also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Outside of school, Brooke loves going to Keeneland with her friends and watching The Office on Netflix. She would love to travel to Alaska and, hopefully, one day, the moon!
Davis is a senior from Lexington, KY majoring in psychology. Davis has a desire to assist other students in developing good money management skills, especially students who are self-sufficient in college and must balance a job and their academics, which led her to join the MoneyCATS team! Off-campus, she is a member of an aerial arts gym, where she performs from time to time. Davis is a new dog mom to a French bulldog puppy and loves exploring local restaurants around Lexington. Travel is also on her bucket list. She hopes to live abroad at some point and, if given the opportunity to travel anywhere, would visit Australia!
Jonathan is a senior from Springfield, KY studying chemical engineering with a chemistry minor. Jonathan joined MoneyCATS to help fellow students understand the important role of money management in ensuring a happy and successful time in college and beyond. His goal as a peer coach is to help students take the stress out of money, and have it work for them as the tool it can be. Outside of MoneyCATS, Jonathan is active at the Newman Center and a member of the UK Pre-Dental Society. Jonathan’s favorite thing to do in Lexington is to walk the Arboretum and one day he hopes travel to Southeast Asia. A fun fact about Jonathan is he is the youngest of seven kids!
