SALT LAKE CITY – March 25, 2025 –Utah Treasurer Marlo M. Oaks, Utah Jump$tart Coalition, and the Utah State Board of Education are seeking nominations for the second annual Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame. This recognition honors Utah educators, administrators, and community partners who demonstrate excellence in equipping Utah students with financial knowledge and skills.
Nominations for six award categories open today and will be accepted through May 2. The honorees—four educators, one administrator, and one community partner—will be recognized at a Utah Jump$tart Coalition induction ceremony on June 16.
“Research has shown that financial education significantly improves financial knowledge and behaviors, fostering a more self-sufficient population,” Treasurer Oaks said. “The Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame recognizes the educators and administrators who go above and beyond to ensure students leave the classroom prepared for the future. Their dedication will leave a lasting impact on generations to come.”
Utah Jump$tart Executive Director Shauna Barfuss added, “We are happy to honor the educators who bring personal finance to life for their students. Their commitment to teaching practical money management skills is transforming classrooms and communities across Utah. We also celebrate the administrators and community partners who champion financial education as a cornerstone of lifelong success.”
Community-Nominated Educators
•Utah Personal Finance Educator of the Year: Honoring a Utah educator who has demonstrated excellence, dedication, and innovation in teaching personal finance. This award celebrates an educator who has gone above and beyond in the classroom to empower students with practical financial skills that extend into their daily lives and positively influence their community. This educator is nominated by an administrator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Honoring a Utah educator who has demonstrated excellence in teaching personal finance over the years. This educator has taught financial literacy for at least 10 years and is nominated by an administrator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
• Student Empowerment Award: Honoring a Utah educator who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to empowering students to take control of their financial futures. This award celebrates educators who not only teach financial concepts but also mentor and support students in setting and achieving their financial goals, fostering a lifelong commitment to financial responsibility and success. This educator is nominated by an administrator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
Self-Nominated Educator
• Innovative Personal Finance Curriculum Award: Honoring a Utah educator who has developed and implemented an innovative and engaging financial literacy curriculum. This award recognizes creativity in teaching methods, incorporation of real-world applications, and the ability to inspire students to become financially literate. This award is self-nominated. The winner will receive a paid trip to the National Jump$tart Conference, the National Council on Economic Education Conference, or the National Endowment for Financial Education Conference, including registration fees, airfare, hotel, and per diem. This educator will present at the following year’s $mart $tart Teacher Summit.
Community-Nominated Administrator
• Financial Education Champion Award: Honoring an administrator who has exemplified passion, excellence, and dedication in furthering personal finance resources in their district. This individual is nominated by an educator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
Community-Nominated Community Advocate
• Community Advocate: Honoring a member of the community who has exemplified passion and dedication in furthering personal financial education in Utah. This individual is nominated by an educator, student, colleague, parent, or community member.
Learn more about the Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame and submit nominations at treasurer.utah.gov/halloffame/.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Griffin, Utah Office of State Treasurer
(801) 918-1411 | [email protected]
Shauna Barfuss, Utah Jump$tart Coalition
(435) 757-3450 | [email protected]
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