February 17, 2017
Financial literacy expert to speak at SIU
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Adam Carroll doesn’t want college students to wind up “broke, busted and disgusted.” Instead, he’d like today’s college students to understand the perils of credit card debt, and how to understand student loans with an eye to limiting education debt.
Carroll has addressed audiences at more than 700 college campuses and two TED talks to help students understand how to “build a bigger life, not a bigger lifestyle” and to avoid debt. He is coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Feb. 28 as part of the Charles D. Tenney Distinguished Lecture Series. His presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. A reception follows the presentation.
Media Advisory
Members of the media are welcome to interview Adam Carroll, financial literacy expert and creator of the documentary “Broke, Busted & Disgusted,” during his SIU visit. To arrange an interview, contact Jordee Justice at jordeejustice@siu.edu or 618/318-3103.
Carroll is passionate about helping students avoid excessive education debt, both for their own sakes and for the good of the nation as a whole. His documentary film, “Broke, Busted & Disgusted,” addresses head-on the problems stemming from college graduates shackled with so much debt they may not have it paid off before their own children are ready for college. The mission of the film, he has said, is to start a national debate about changing the way we fund college.
Carroll’s company, National Financial Educators, promotes financial literacy, with students as one of his target audiences. “Our message is simple,” he said. “At some point, you have to live like a college student. You’ll either live that way in college or live that way when you’re a professional. You can have it all in life, you just can’t have it all right now.”
Students and young professionals who’ve attended Carroll’s lectures report that the information helped them understand money better, and how to take control of their financial futures. His ability to engage his audience makes what might seem a technical or even dry subject exciting as students realize the possibilities financial planning can give them and how to avoid some of the pitfalls that can set them back as they try to build the lives of their dreams.
Carroll is also the author or co-author of several books, including “The Money Savvy Student” and “Winning the Money Game.”
The University Honors Program sponsors the Charles D. Tenney Distinguished Lecture Series. Tenney served as the university’s provost and vice president from 1952 to 1971. The Saluki Cents Financial Literacy Program also contributed to bringing this speaker to campus.