Retirement & Financial Wellness Workshops
The University will host workshops to provide financial wellness and retirement education. No matter your career stage, we are confident the excellent group of presenters we have lined up will help you prepare for your financial future.
See below to learn about the workshops and register for the ones you want to attend. Be sure to work with your supervisor to clear any time away from your positions.
- Just getting into the workforce or finding your stride? The check out the Maximizing Your University Benefits – Making Them Work for You, Navigating the Financial Markets, Mastering Your Finances: A Guide to Budgeting Success and/or Building Financial Security – Investing, Credit, and Identity Protection
- Nearing retirement? Then The USI retirement Offering, Set your retirement date: Understand the factors to get you to your goal and/or Understanding Social Security workshops may be for you!
- Are you changing payrolls? Go to the workshop Going from Monthly to Biweekly pay: what you need to know! To learn how to adjust your finances.
The USI Retirement Offering, Wendy Seitz
March 5, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
Hosted at University Center East 2219-2220
This session is designed for eligible USI employees seeking insights into their retirement benefits, including medical, dental and life coverage. Participants will gain knowledge about USI's retirement policy offerings, eligibility criteria and the transition process from an active employee to retiree status. The workshop aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the available retirement benefits, empowering employees to navigate the transition effectively and make informed decisions about their retirement plans within USI.
About Wendy Seitz
University of Southern Indiana, Benefits Manager
Wendy Seitz brings over two decades of experience in Human Resources, demonstrating expertise in benefits administration. A proud alumna of the University of Southern Indiana, Wendy earned her bachelor’s degree in 2001 before furthering her academic pursuits and completing her master’s degree in 2019. As the Benefits Manager at USI, Wendy exemplifies her commitment to enhance the well-being of faculty and staff members through strategic benefits planning and implementation. Her depth of knowledge and hands-on approach make her an integral part of the University’s community, ensuring that employees receive comprehensive support in navigating their benefits packages.
Set your retirement date: Understand the factors to get you to your goal, Mike Dooley
March 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Hosted Virtually
Whether you plan to retire today or 30 years from now, it’s never too early—or too late—to design the life you want. Let’s explore the steps to getting you there.
About Mike Dooley
TIAA Financial Solutions, Senior Financial Consultant
Mike Dooley is a Senior Financial Consultant within the TIAA Financial Solutions division at TIAA (tiaa.org), a Fortune 100 financial services organization and leading provider of asset management and retirement services for the academic, research, medical and cultural fields.
In his role as a Senior Financial Consultant at TIAA, Mike is focused on helping participants plan for their financial well-being and retirement readiness. He meets with employees one-on-one and provides personalized counseling, education and advice, including specific asset allocation and fund selection recommendations based on the plan’s investment options.
Maximizing Your University Benefits – Making Them Work for You, Wendy Seitz
March 5, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
Hosted at University Center East 2219-2220
Understanding and maximizing your university benefits can lead to greater financial security, well-being, and job satisfaction. This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of key benefits, including health and wellness plans, retirement savings options, tuition assistance, and work-life balance perks. Participants will learn strategies to optimize their medical coverage, make informed retirement contributions, take advantage of professional development opportunities, and utilize employee assistance programs. The session will also cover common pitfalls, best practices, and practical tips to ensure employees fully leverage their benefits package, ultimately enhancing their personal and professional lives.
About Wendy Seitz
University of Southern Indiana, Benefits Manager
Wendy Seitz brings over two decades of experience in Human Resources, demonstrating expertise in benefits administration. A proud alumna of the University of Southern Indiana, Wendy earned her bachelor’s degree in 2001 before furthering her academic pursuits and completing her master’s degree in 2019. As the Benefits Manager at USI, Wendy exemplifies her commitment to enhance the well-being of faculty and staff members through strategic benefits planning and implementation. Her depth of knowledge and hands-on approach make her an integral part of the University’s community, ensuring that employees receive comprehensive support in navigating their benefits packages.
Going from Monthly to Biweekly pay: what you need to know!, Shawn Robey and Whitley Price
March 5, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Hosted at University Center East 2219-2220
This workshop will guide employees through the transition from a monthly to a biweekly payroll schedule, covering key topics such as understanding the differences in paycheck frequency and amounts, how benefits deductions and taxes will be impacted, and how to manage both fixed and variable expenses. Participants will learn strategies for restructuring bill payments to align with the new schedule, avoiding financial strain, setting up automatic payments, adjusting savings contributions, and effectively planning for months with three paychecks. The goal is to equip employees with practical tools to navigate this change and maintain financial stability.
About Dr. Shawn Robey
University of Southern Indiana, Manager of University Cash and Investments
Shawn Robey has worked at the University of Southern Indiana for nearly a decade. In addition to teaching finance courses in the Romain College of Business and overseeing the Student Financial Success Center, Dr. Robey is the Manager of University Cash and Investments. Utilizing his background in banking and personal finance, he guides students and employees on how to take control of their financial futures and achieve financial success.
About Whitley Price
University of Southern Indiana, Financial Success Mentor
Whitley Price has worked at the University of Southern Indiana for a little over a year. In addition to working as a mentor for the Student Financial Success Center, Whitley is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in finance through the Romain College of Business. As a financial success mentor, she helps individuals develop strong financial habits that will lead them to a lifetime of financial wellness.
Navigating the Financial Markets, Cynthia Henderson
March 5, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Hosted Virtually
This session provides a review of the financial markets in 2024, an overview of the current state of the economy and the expectations for how financial markets might migrate in 2025 and beyond. The presentation aims to introduce attendees to the various nuances of investment landscapes. Topics include diversification benefits across various asset classes (stocks and bonds) as well as discuss the possible impact of the consumer, unemployment rates, inflation/interest rates and the presidential election on the financial markets.
About Cynthia Henderson
Fifth Third Bank, Vice President, Senior Institutional Portfolio Manager
Cynthia Henderson has more than 25 years of investment experience in advising and managing a wide range of discretionary portfolios for both for-profit and not-for-profit clients. In this role, she develops investment policies and asset allocation strategies for institutional clients. Additionally, Cynthia provides thought leadership and education for client boards, committees, and staff. Prior to joining Fifth Third, she was a managing principal at Fund Evaluation Group, LLC, and a managing director at Quadrant – Family Wealth Advisors. She graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting.
Building Financial Security – Investing, Credit, and Identity Protection
March 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Hosted at University Center East 2217-2218
Achieving financial stability requires smart investment, strong credit management, and proactive identity protection. This workshop will guide employees through key financial topics, including maximizing workplace investment opportunities like employer-sponsored retirement plans and exploring investment strategies beyond work, such as brokerage accounts and real estate. Attendees will also learn the importance of credit scores and reports, how they impact financial opportunities, and strategies for improving and maintaining strong credit. Finally, the session will cover identity theft risks, prevention techniques, and steps to take if personal information is compromised. With practical advice and actionable insights, this workshop equips employees with the knowledge to build a secure financial future.
About Jacob Darr
Fifth Third Bank, Personal Banker
Jacob is a proud USI Alumni. Jacob comes from a financial background and has multiple years of experience in banking. As a personal banker, he manages account openings and guides lending conversations for clients with many different needs and backgrounds. Jacob works to offer continuous education and growth regarding financial wellness, budgeting, and the security of personal information. He strives to make every interaction a memorable experience and caters the meetings to the specific needs of those in front of him.
Understanding Social Security, Charo Boyd
March 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Hosted Virtually
This virtual session on Understanding Social Security is tailored for USI employees and their loved ones who plan to retire within the next 5-10 years, as well as individuals seeking insights into Social Security. Participants gain knowledge on the application process for Social Security Income, exploring the impact of age and wages on benefit amounts. The workshop covers key aspects such as the intersection of work and benefits, and it provides insights into survivor and disability benefits. Whether contemplating retirement or simply aiming to enhance their understanding of Social Security, attendees receive valuable information to make informed decisions about their future financial well-being.
About Charo Boyd
Social Security Administration, Public Affairs Specialist for Central & Southern Indiana
Charo Boyd is the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Public Affairs Specialist for Central and Southern Indiana. She is responsible for informing the public about SSA programs and benefits. Boyd is also the primary SSA media contact for television, radio and newspapers in the aforementioned area. She is often the guest speaker for retirement and disability seminars. She has trained HR Managers, Financial Planners, Tax Preparers, Social Workers, Case Managers, Disability Advocates and Attorneys on various topics.
Boyd has been employed with SSA since 2002. She began her career as a claims representative in the Downtown Indianapolis District SSA office. She has worked as an Insurance Specialist in all areas of the Title II Program (Medicare, Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits).
Boyd has a bachelor’s degree in psychology (Magna Cum Laude) and a master’s in guidance and counseling with a concentration in clinical and organizational counseling all from Tennessee State University. Boyd received SSA’s Regional Communicator Award in 2010 and 2018. She also received Deputy Commissioner’s Citations in 2010, 2015 and 2018 from SSA’s Office of Communications.
Going from Monthly to Biweekly pay: what you need to know!, Shawn Robey and Whitley Price
March 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Hosted at University Center East 2217-2218
This workshop will guide employees through the transition from a monthly to a biweekly payroll schedule, covering key topics such as understanding the differences in paycheck frequency and amounts, how benefits deductions and taxes will be impacted, and how to manage both fixed and variable expenses. Participants will learn strategies for restructuring bill payments to align with the new schedule, avoiding financial strain, setting up automatic payments, adjusting savings contributions, and effectively planning for months with three paychecks. The goal is to equip employees with practical tools to navigate this change and maintain financial stability.
About Dr. Shawn Robey
University of Southern Indiana, Manager of University Cash and Investments
Shawn Robey has worked at the University of Southern Indiana for nearly a decade. In addition to teaching finance courses in the Romain College of Business and overseeing the Student Financial Success Center, Dr. Robey is the Manager of University Cash and Investments. Utilizing his background in banking and personal finance, he guides students and employees on how to take control of their financial futures and achieve financial success.
About Whitley Price
University of Southern Indiana, Financial Success Mentor
Whitley Price has worked at the University of Southern Indiana for a little over a year. In addition to working as a mentor for the Student Financial Success Center, Whitley is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in finance through the Romain College of Business. As a financial success mentor, she helps individuals develop strong financial habits that will lead them to a lifetime of financial wellness.
Mastering Your Finances: A Guide to Budgeting Success, Chris Dunning
March 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Hosted at University Center East 2217-2218
This session is designed to guide individuals, whether beginners or experienced budgeters, in creating and adhering to a budget. It begins by highlighting the significance of budgeting in promoting financial discipline and reducing stress. The content covers fundamental aspects such as setting financial goals, understanding income and expenses, and introduces various budgeting tools. Emphasizing the importance of regular tracking and monitoring, the presentation addresses challenges like unexpected expenses and behavioral changes. It provides practical tips for staying on track, including prioritizing needs, allocating for savings and creating an emergency fund. The session concludes by empowering participants with the knowledge that budgeting is a tool for financial control and encourages ongoing learning about personal finance. The presentation aims to be inclusive and beneficial to all individuals regardless of their budgeting experience.
About Chris Dunning
United Fidelity, First Vice President of Retail Administration
Chris Dunning is the First Vice President of Retail Administration managing the sales and operations of 17 banking centers. Chris joined United Fidelity Bank in 2020 with 29 years of banking experience. He started his career as a teller and subsequently served as a Customer Service Representative, Assistant Manager and most recently as VP, Banking Center Manager for Old National Bank. He is the past President and current board member for both the Kiwanis Club of Evansville and PEACE Zone Inc. and is an Alumni of Leadership Evansville. Chris earned his degree from University of Southern Indiana in Business Administration.
Helpful Links and FAQ's:
Absolutely! These workshops are provided at no cost to you and anyone in your household!
Yes! Our intention is to provide these learning opportunities as often as we can, right now we are offering these annually in the spring.
Some of the workshops are online and some in-person at the location stated in the description. You can register for the workshops by clicking the link at the top of the page.
No, you can attend one or all of them. It totally depends on your needs, a brief description of each workshop is on the sign-up page.
The workshops are interactive, so they are not recorded in order to preserve privacy of the attendees and encourage questions.
TIAA Workshops
TIAA holds monthly webinars through its interactive site called the Virtual Environment. This innovative resource offers users 24/7 access to a wide range of articles, on-demand seminars, and live monthly seminars on a variety of essential financial topics.
Register:
https://webinars.tiaa.org/wcc/eh/3133860/tiaa-webinars
Meet with a TIAA Representative: Visit Website www.tiaa.org/schedulenow or call 800-732-8353.
INPRS SSA Workshops
The Indiana Public Retirement System hosts educational webinars each month.
Register:
https://www.in.gov/inprs/retirement-education/workshops-and-counseling/
Meet with an INPRS Representative: Visit Website or call 844-464-6777.
Planning for the future is important for you and your family. Ensure there is no confusion as to what your wishes are for your health and finances, by planning.
- Prepare a will or power of attorney that has instructions for health and finances in case you are not able to make your own decisions
- Ensure all beneficiaries are up to date:
- Life insurance
- Retirement plans - TIAA & INPRS
- HSA Accounts
- Bank Accounts
- Purchase life insurance to cover yourself or your spouse
- Until enough Sick Time is accumulated, purchase Short-term Disability
- Make sure you are covered for medical, dental and vision if needed (Open Enrollment is in November)
- Know your USI Benefits, they help you financially from tuition fee waivers to retirement plans
The University has a great fee waiver benefit to help with the expense of education for the employee’s dependent children. The fee waiver waives 75% of the applicable tuition and fees. For the rest, Indiana CollegeChoice529 plan is a great savings option.
Outreach and Engagement offer personal finance classes under Personal Enrichment
Relieve stress and anxiety with group yoga or exercise classes at the Recreation and Fitness Center
Take advantage of USI's Time to Get Fit Program which allows you to use 1 hour of paid time per week devote to pre-approved fitness activities. This activity is subject to eligibility and approval.
Sometimes financial emergencies happen and leave people broke with no way to pay for the necessities. The following is a list of resources from financial assistance, to food and clothing.
Archie's Closet - Archibald Eagle's Food Closet is a service for all members of the USI community to promote the health and wellness of USI students and employees. Archie's closet is a place on campus where food and personal care items can be obtained by students or employees who may find themselves in need. All requests for assistance are confidential.
Evansville Rescue Mission - The Evansville Rescue Mission provides, food, clothing, shelter, childcare and counseling.
Christian Life Center - With the goal of moving individuals from a place of need to their potential, the Evansville Life Center helps with Food, Clothing, Shelter and more.
HOPE of Evansville - First time home buyer Program, individual account development program, default/foreclosure counseling.
Community Action Program - A variety of home ownership programs directed at helping first time home buyers. Also energy assistance programs and summer cooling programs.
Family and Social Services - Indiana Family Social Services Association Resource for local counties.
In today’s world, despite consumers realizing the need to become more vigilant in scrutinizing emails received from retailers or banks, an email that is not caught by a spam filter can cause a false sense of security, leading a person to believe it’s from a legitimate source. These emails then request more personal information or prompt the consumers to update their account, on a site set up by the hackers. Once they have passwords to bank accounts or retailers, they can clean out accounts or make fraudulent purchases. This practice is known as “spear-phishing.”
If you are eligible for the University's Basic Life plan then You have access to ID Theft Protection benefits. Below are some guides to those benefits.
Regular FT employees with Sun Life coverage receive an emergency travel assistance program provided by Assist America.
This travel emergency assistance program immediately connects you to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other services if you experience a medical or non-medical emergency while traveling 100 miles away from your permanent residence, or in another country.
One simple phone call to Assist America will connect you to:
- A state-of-the-art 24/7 Operations Center
- Experienced, multilingual crisis management professionals
- Worldwide emergency response capabilities
- Air and ground ambulance service providers
For more information please see the flyer for services