As Denison University students progress through their college years, they are learning constantly — in classrooms and residence halls, on athletics fields and performing arts stages, in labs and studios.
But not much of that learning has to do with how to manage their budget and make smart financial decisions. That’s where Lini Zhang, a specialist in consumer economics and financial planning, comes in. Zhang will advise students on how to manage their financial decisions, both during and after college, splitting her time between Denison and Ohio State universities.
Zhang will join the Student Development/Financial Aid teams in a one-year post-doc position. She will be on Denison’s campus at least two days a week, working on promoting students’ financial well-being; through one-on-one meetings, student programs, and related content, beginning in early August. Her office will be in the Financial Aid/Student Development suite in the first floor of Doane.
“I have a strong interest in studying online shopping and consumers’ financial help-seeking behavior, as well as financial literacy and financial education among college students,” said Zhang, who received her Ph.D. in financial planning, housing and consumer economics from the University of Georgia in May. “I’ve recently taught courses in family resource management, wealth management, and consumer protection.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lini to the Denison team,” said Laurel Kennedy, vice president for student development at Denison. “Student wellbeing is a primary focus of our work. Financial literacy is a key anchor that supports all manner of student health. When students learn the knowledge and skills to make good financial decisions, it benefits them throughout their lifetimes. Lini’s work here is a key strategy to bringing those assets to our students.”
As for hobbies, “I enjoy playing badminton and I’m currently practicing golf and bowling,” Zhang said. “I’m looking forward to interacting with students and contributing my effort to support their future development at Denison!”
In addition to her doctorate from the University of Georgia, Athens, Zhang holds a Master of Science in economics from Liaoning University, Shenyang, China, and a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature from Hubei University, Wuhan, China.
