Money management isn’t always the easiest skill to master, but at Averett University, one student organization is making it less intimidating. The Financial Literacy Club (FLC) was created to give students a chance to learn how to handle their finances in real, practical ways, such as saving, investing, and figuring out how to make money last. What makes the club stand out is that it doesn’t stop at teaching, it also introduces creative projects that help students save money right here on campus.
Imani Swann, a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences, is the founder and current president of the Financial Literacy Club. Her inspiration came from her own desire to better understand money management, a skill she admits doesn’t always come naturally. Like many students outside of the financial sector, she wanted to learn how to save, invest, and make smarter choices with her earnings. That personal motivation grew into a larger vision: to create a community where students could support one another in building habits that lead to long-term stability and success.
“Our aim is to really motivate people committed to becoming financially independent and literate,” said Swann. “We want our members to make wise financial decisions that result in long-term prosperity and a better financial future.”
One of the Financial Literacy Club’s standout projects is the Campus Goods Exchange (CGE), an idea that grew from Swann’s own experience as a student. She recalled purchasing a $78 TI-89 calculator for a math course, only to realize she might never use it again once the class was over. She stated that someone had to have taken the course before her and no longer needed theirs, but she couldn’t find anyone. Her frustration turned into inspiration, and with the support of the club, Campus Goods Exchange was created.
Available anytime at mycge.club, the exchange allows students to post items they no longer need and make them available to others on campus. The system eliminates extra costs like shipping and makes it simple for students to access affordable resources right where they are.
“Our goal with CGE can be summed up in three words: affordable, sustainable, and easy,” said Swann. “Affordable because it gives students access to low-cost items, sustainable because it reduces waste from unused goods, and easy because the website is user-friendly and always available.”
The Campus Goods Exchange first gained attention last semester when it won first place and a $500 prize in Averett’s Gong Show competition. For Swann and the Financial Literacy Club, the win marked an important milestone, giving the project both recognition and the support it needed to grow. Building on that success, the club is now preparing for an upcoming meeting with Dr. Tonitta Davis McNeal, Career Services Coordinator, to discuss new ways to expand CGE and increase its impact across campus.
Looking ahead, FLC is planning its next educational workshop, “Types of Investment,” which will introduce students to different ways to grow their money and make it work for them. While events like these keep the focus on building financial knowledge, Swann emphasizes that CGE will continue to be at the heart of the club’s mission, which is making campus life more affordable, sustainable, and connected.
“I want students to see FLC as more than just a place to talk about money,” Swann said. “Through projects like CGE, we’re showing that smart financial choices can start right here on campus and make a difference in our everyday lives.”
