News Release: JAG-K Month with the KBA Teaches Students about Financial Literacy, Career Opportunities
Members of the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) teamed up with Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) throughout April to educate students about opportunities in the banking industry as well as tips on financial literacy.
The partnership has evolved over four years to become “JAG-K Month with the KBA.” JAG-K programs throughout the state collaborated with banks in their respective areas to plan educational opportunities for students. Throughout April, employees of participating banks visited local JAG-K classes in person or virtually or hosted groups for visits to their facilities.
JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. One of the responsibilities of JAG-K is the instruction of sound financial management to its participants, 75 percent of whom qualify for free or subsidized lunches.
April is recognized nationally as both Community Banking Month and Financial Literacy Month. Through JAG-K Month with the KBA, students were introduced to the tools made available to them by financial institutions.
“At the Kansas Bankers Association, we believe that financial literacy is foundational to a strong, thriving community,” said Mary Taylor, Senior Vice President – Communications and Marketing Director for the KBA. “By helping students understand how money works—from budgeting and saving to credit and loans—we’re equipping them with tools that will serve them throughout their lives.”
JAG-K programs across the state visited banking institutions or met in their classrooms with representatives of banks. Representatives of their local banks emphasized the need to develop future employees in the field of banking. Through interactions with banking professionals, students learned about the many career opportunities in the financial industry.
The program at Shawnee Mission North hosted Frances Scheuerman, Senior Vice President at UMB Bank in Kansas City.
“Banking offers several entry-level opportunities, many of which do not require previous banking experience,” said Scheuerman. “Some positions can even be held part-time while in school. Roles like teller, customer service representative, or internships are great entry points to learn the business, build professional skills, and make valuable connections.”
Kansas’ 114 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,000 students in 48 school districts across the state. JAG-K Career Specialists help students graduate and learn career, leadership, and life skills by executing a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model. Participants must meet criteria to be selected for the program and have potential to overcome various barriers to post-secondary success. Last year, JAG-K had 805 high school graduates.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 32 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, Barton Community College, EagleU, Goldstein Charitable Trust, Independence Community College, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, Honeywell, John Deere, Johnson County Community College, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, Magellan Financial, Mark One Electric, the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains, U.S. Bank, Walmart and Washburn Tech.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, or ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.