Dr. Melissa Griswold, ’96, brings her offbeat mix of humor and finance to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, November 8 at 7 p.m. in the Howard L. Hawks Hall Henrickson Family Atrium. Griswold, who earned a doctorate in business administration specializing in finance from Nebraska Business, released a book about financial literacy titled Smart Bitch Dumb Dog: Make Financial Success a Walk in the Park! She will share her grassroots message of responsible money management at the free event hosted by the Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE) and the university’s Student Money Management Center.
Her book tackles issues of financial success in a distinctive and approachable way by using a fiction format based on the lives of two golden retrievers – one with a penchant for accumulating debt, and the other employing all the correct financial concepts at each turn in her life. Ultimately, Griswold intends to empower people from all walks of life to achieve financial success by practicing delayed gratification, spending less than you make and developing sound strategies of not trading hours for money at cash advance lending companies.
Jennifer Davidson, director of the NCEE and assistant professor of practice in economics, heard about Griswold’s book and quickly partnered with the Student Money Management Center on campus to make the event a reality.
“I was excited to have Melissa Griswold come to our college in part because she’s produced this fascinating new book,” said Davidson. “We’re always looking for interesting and unique ways to get personal finance information into the hands of the public. People can perceive the topic to be dull and dry so we like to create accessibility to the information through presenters like Melissa. The more creative we can be, the more easily people can be drawn in to learn the information.”
Davidson emphasized research has shown a strong correlation between financial literacy and success in later life. To that end, Griswold also serves as the first speaker for the Nebraska Business Econ Day on Friday, November 9, where approximately 100 high school students from around the state take part in a variety of programs designed to increase financial awareness.
Griswold currently serves as associate professor of financial services at Maryville University John E. Simon School of Business in St. Louis. She directs the financial services program which utilizes an interdisciplinary design incorporating studies from both marketing and communications.
To learn more about the NCEE, visit: http://nebraskacouncil.unl.edu.