The UNT Student Money Management Center (SMMC) and two of its team members received national awards of excellence and recognition from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE) at its national symposium on Nov. 17. For more than 30 years, AFCPE has set the highest standards for the field of financial counseling and education.

The SMMC received the Outstanding Financial Counseling or Planning Center award for demonstrating its effectiveness in its local community, being responsive to target audience needs and providing materials and delivery of services that are in tune with its audience.

Paul Goebel, director of the SMMC, received the Mary Ellen Edmondson Educator of the Year award for providing exceptional service to teaching and outreach, making a profound impact on the profession and AFCPE and giving back to and educating students.

“Having the privilege of leading such an incredible team is the true recognition of my Educator of the Year award,” said Goebel. “Bringing national recognition of three awards of excellence to the university makes the entire SMMC team Mean Green proud.”

Rachel Grimes, AFC®, assistant director of outreach for the SMMC, received the Financial Counselor of the Year award for contributing outstanding work in financial counseling, including having a high level of outreach, strong evidence of outcomes and an innovative approach to her work.

“Being recognized as AFCPE’s Financial Counselor of the Year is not only a huge honor but a testament to the work that the Student Money Management Center provides to UNT students and alumni,” said Grimes. “Being recognized is secondary to providing assistance to students and seeing them succeed and reach their goals.”

The SMMC also was recognized as an Outstanding Department by UNT President Neal Smatresk at the President’s Staff Sack Lunch on October 4.

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Contact: Ray Willhoft, 940-565-2464, raymond.willhoft@unt.edu