Dr. Brenda Powell Wells has been a college professor for almost 30 years.  In that time, she has taught thousands of students and awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funding.  In her presentation, she will explain exactly what happens when you donate money for a scholarship and how that money is ultimately used.  We’ll cover the rising cost of education, the rising level of student loan debt, and how even a small scholarship can have a big impact on a college student.  A scholarship donor herself, Brenda will talk about the tangible and intangible benefits of becoming a scholarship donor in higher education.

In this session, participants will learn:

• The impact scholarship funding makes in a student's life. We could touch on rising student debt and how funding is fundamental to students' completion of their programs.

• The impact higher education makes on a woman's career and quality of life. Furthermore, how the scholarship impacts one's resume and job placement in life.

• Why one should contribute and how their impact is an investment in a student's academic well-being. A scholarship investment reduces the student's financial barriers, helping them to focus more of their time and resources in studying and acquiring internships, rather than engaging in general part-time work.

Speakers Bio:

Brenda Powell Wells has spent over 30 years studying and teaching risk management and insurance.  She presently serves as the director of the East Carolina University (ECU) Risk Management and Insurance Program, where she is the Robert F. Bird Distinguished Professor of Risk Management and Insurance.  

During her career she has taught numerous risk and insurance courses.  She has also supervised countless internships and independent study projects.  Brenda has a long history of forming, supporting, and mentoring student organizations and has a wide range of experience in public relations and fundraising.  To date she has raised a total of over $3 million in philanthropic funds in her career.   Brenda has published articles in numerous journals and periodicals, and has varied ongoing research interests including cannabis legalization and its impact on the insurance industry.

Website: https://business.ecu.edu/faculty/wellsb/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrendawells/