The Maverick Center for Financial Success

About Us

The Maverick Center for Financial Success (MCFS) was established in the fall of 2023 at Minnesota State University, Mankato with generous funding from the Charles Schwab Foundation. Initially named the Schwab Center for Financial Wellness, the Center was formalized in 2024 under co-directors Dr. Daniel Hiebert and Dr. Ishuan Li Simonson from the Department of Finance.

Mission

The mission of the Maverick Center for Financial Success is to serve as the premier hub for training the next generation of financial planners and advancing financial literacy education across southern Minnesota. The Center fosters workforce development to prepare diverse, skilled personal financial planners and entrepreneurs for the financial services industry. It also improves financial literacy among students and provides accessible personal finance resources to the local community through education, outreach and professional development.

Progress and Priorities

In its foundational period (Phase 1), the Center established peer-to-peer financial coaching for students, strengthened the Financial Planning Program, launched the annual Maverick Conference on Financial Success (held in 2025 and 2026), initiated a research fellows program and conducted student financial wellness assessment work.

Building on this foundation, the Center is advancing Phase 2 priorities. These include expanding financial literacy education for middle to high school teachers, developing general education offerings for college students and community members, deepening industry and community partnerships and continuing evidence-based research and programming that support measurable improvements in financial knowledge and well-being across southern Minnesota.

The Center’s work is supported by research, external partnerships (including the Charles Schwab Foundation) and a commitment to practical, accessible financial education and professional development.