Meet the Financial Wellness Center Staff!
The Financial Wellness Center at UC Merced was founded in 2020, with the goal of assisting students to develop and achieve financial wellness by creating a safe and inclusive environment for students to discuss and learn more about their own personal financial management.
Meet the Financial Wellness Coordinator
Charah Coleman
Founding Financial Wellness Program Manager
Charah Coleman, MBA, is the founding program manager of UC Merced’s Financial Wellness Center. She is an award-winning behavioral finance expert and certified Educator of Applied Compassion. Born in Southern California, she has a passion to make the Greater Central Valley a better place to live. Charah has been recognized for her work in economic justice and financial empowerment within the Central Valley, having founded financial wellness centers on two public universities in California. Charah is also passionate about protecting the environment and its wildlife. She believes that we are on this earth to display compassion and better the communities around us. Her pastimes include volunteering, hiking, and exploring our beautiful state.
Meet the Bobcat Content Creator
Aida Hassani
Meet Aida Hassani, who is a 3rd year Psychology major at UC Merced. At the Financial Wellness Center she works as a content creator, creating infographics and videos that promote financial literacy and access to resources for students. She is a research assistant for Epperson lab, which focuses on behavioral decision making around vaccines and tobacco use in minority communities. She also interns for the Nicotine & Cannabis Policy Center and is President of the Muslim Student Association. After graduating UC Merced she intends to attend graduate school and pursue a career in research.
Steven Navas
Meet Steven Navas , who is a 3rd year Computer Science and Engineering major at the University of California, Merced. At the Financial Wellness Center, Steven works as a Content Creator who create engaging short-form video as well as infographic posts directed towards college students. Additionally, he serves as a web developer, managing and updating webpages for the Financial Wellness Center, with hopes to create an accessible resource for the students of UC Merced to learn more about financial wellness. His interests lie in computer imaging, photography, video editing, and computer vision. Outside of school, his passions are in skateboarding, playing and listening to music, and exploring. Steven hopes to break into the data science or cybersecurity field
Our Alumni!
Gerarldo Avila, Class of '24
Bobcat Financial Coach
Meet Gerarldo Avila, our Bobcat Financial Coach! Gerardo is currently pursuing a degree in Business & Management Economics while studying abroad in Oslo, Norway! Originally from Los Angeles, his ambition to work for the FWC is to share his financial knowledge with the UC Merced community and to hone his mentorship skills to create an environment for others to feel comfortable learning and growing. In his free time, Gerardo thrives on adventures, be it backpacking, rock climbing, or mountain biking. When he's not out exploring, you can find him weightlifting, playing soccer, engrossed in a good book while lounging in his hammock, or on the hunt for a delicious meal. .
Bobcat Financial Coach Content Creator
Meet Yasmin Jama, our Bobcat Financial Coach Content Creator! Yasmin is a graduated Cognitive Science student from Orange County, California. Her passion for design and videography is evident in the content produced for the Financial Wellness Center. Outside of school, Yasmin pursues UX/UI design internships at FAANG tech companies, focusing on designing for underrepresented communities in tech.
Kenya Castillo, Class of '23
Bobcat Financial Coach
Meet Kenya Castillo, our Bobcat Financial Coach! Kenya is a first-generation alumna who received a bachelor’s degree in Management of Business and Economics. Born and raised in Lynwood, California. She is interested in various topics such as entrepreneurship, personal finance, innovation, marketing, and ways in helping others and the community. Some of her favorite hobbies include listening to music, painting her nails, cooking, and hanging out with friends. By joining the Financial Wellness Center team, she became to be a tool for the UC Merced community of students and create a positive impact.
Melissa Rodriguez, Class of '22
Bobcat Financial Coach
Meet Melissa Rodriguez, our Bobcat Financial Coach! Melissa is an alumna who majored in Management & Business, Economics at the University of California, Merced. Melissa is a first-generation student from Ventura County who strives to make an impact on her campus and community. She is passionate about community service and considers herself a servant leader. During high school, she volunteered with a social justice organization. Melissa has been an officer for Alpha Phi Omega, a service-based fraternity, which has given her the opportunity to develop herself as a leader and the ability to serve the community of Merced. By joining the Financial Wellness Center team, Melissa has been given the opportunity to serve her fellow peers and provide guidance for personal financial management. After graduation, Melissa now works at the Santa Barbara County Education Office as a Human Resources Analyst!
Our Former BFC!
Juliana Torres, Class of '25
Bobcat Financial Coach
Meet Juliana Torres, our Bobcat Financial Coach! Juliana is currently pursuing a double major in Business & Management Economics and Pyschology while being a student althete, playing on the Women's Water Polo team. Juliana is a first-generation student born and raised in Marin County where she helped develop and assist in managing her family’s business. She is passionate about learning and gaining experiences as she one day hopes to start her own business. In addition, Juliana is a part of UC Merced’s women's water polo team and she is excited to start the season and continue establishing the program. Juliana’s hobbies include playing water polo, crocheting, hiking, reading, and watching shows and movies. Juliana strives to build strong connections but most importantly is always looking for ways to better the lives of others. As a Bobcat Financial Coach here at UC Merced, Juliana hopes to share her knowledge on managing personal finances while providing an inclusive and comfortable environment.
Noah Wise, Class of '26
Bobcat Financial Coach Content Manager
Meet Noah Wise, our Bobcat Financial Coach Content Manager! Noah is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student from San Diego, California. His passions include building and designing car engines, content creation, and finance assistance, which is evident in the content produced for the Financial Wellness Center. Outside of school, Noah enjoys skateboarding, cooking, and most importantly, pursuing his engineering passions with clubs like the SAMPE (Society of Advanced Materials Processing Engineers) and being the Welding and Fabrication Club president.
