Business Education Making an Impact
Applying the Power of Business to Strengthen Communities
A Strategic Vision for Community Impact
Aligned with the College's commitment to wellness and the Dean's vision for signature initiatives with measurable outcomes, the Business and Societal Impact Initiative leverages business education, research, and partnerships to expand economic opportunity, strengthen financial well-being, and foster regional prosperity across Long Island. Through community-engaged learning, curricular innovation, and research that informs practice, the initiative creates meaningful, lasting impact beyond the classroom. Every effort is designed to be sustainable, measurable, and scalable, with initiatives thoughtfully integrated into existing courses, programs, and community partnerships.
Five Efforts, One Goal
A Comprehensive Approach to Community and Regional Impact
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Community
True community transformation requires more than a single program; it demands a diverse ecosystem of practical interventions. By aligning experiential student learning with critical local needs, the College of Business has mobilized five distinct initiatives to tackle economic challenges on Long Island. From campus-wide digital literacy campaigns to rigorous, field-tested academic courses, these efforts equip individuals with the tangible tools required for financial independence.
By working in tandem with local libraries, academic researchers, and regional non-profits like Island Harvest, we are transforming business education into an active engine for socioeconomic equity and lasting regional change.
The Initiative at a Glance
- 01 Financial Literacy Awareness — A Financial Literacy Month campaign featuring faculty-featured Instagram content
and College of Business Bulletin messaging, with pre- and post-campaign assessments
to measure knowledge gains.
- 02 Community Financial Education — Student-led financial literacy programs at local libraries, complemented by a faculty/student research examining children's understanding of money.
- 03 Personal Finance Education — A new Personal Finance course taught by Professor Tom Tallerico, incorporating pre- and post-course assessments to evaluate student learning outcomes.
- 04 Community Impact Research — An Honors student research project evaluating the workforce training program at Island Harvest and its impact on participants.
- 05 Service and Experiential Learning — A Beta Gamma Sigma/Business Honors Program Day of Service at Island Harvest Farm, engaging students in hands-on volunteerism while exploring issues of food insecurity and economic inequality.
- 06 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) — Directed by Professor Zhifeng Yang in partnership with FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, student volunteers provided free tax preparation for low-income taxpayers and retirees at three Suffolk County libraries.
Where Students Put Financial Education to Work
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
Free Tax Preparation that Doubled its Reach
Directed by Prof. Zhifeng Yang with FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, student volunteers provided free tax preparation to low-income taxpayers and retirees at three Suffolk County libraries — and the College added shuttle and rideshare support so every volunteer could reach a site. This work illustrates the three ways the College drives meaningful community impact:
- Education: Workshops, courses, and library programs that build financial literacy for K–5 learners, college students, seniors, and lower-income adults.
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Scholarship: Faculty research and convenings on economic disparity, prosocial consumption, ESG, and housing equity on Long Island.
- Volunteerism: Students serving the community directly — free tax preparation, farm work, and family financial-literacy events.
What if Learning About Money Felt Like an Adventure?
Money Quest through the Healthly Libraries Program
Financial Literacy for Grades K–5
Four Business Honors students — under faculty advisor John Colbert and in partnership with Suffolk County Libraries — built a hands-on journey through “Cashville.” Across three branches, more than 50 children rotated through stations on wants versus needs, budgeting, and earning, then spent the “Wolfie Bucks” they earned at a simulated store. Each child went home with a Stony Brook piggy bank.
Financial Capability, Built Into the Curriculum
Curricular Innovation & Career Mobility
BUS 230: Personal Finance
The College of Business integrates financial literacy, career readiness, and applied economic skills directly into academic programming to support long-term student mobility. Developed by adjunct faculty member Tom Tallerico, BUS 230 gives non-business majors the essential financial skills for lifelong economic stability. Topics include:
- Tax documentation and filing fundamentals
- Credit building and credit score optimization
- Home ownership and mortgage structures
- Retirement and savings instruments
- Financial stress management and behavioral finance
Business Solutions for Global Goals
Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Across undergraduate and MBA programs, students design solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:
- Carbon capture trading platforms
- Agricultural preservation systems
- Urban sustainability technologies
- Climate-responsive business models
Scholarship That Shapes Practice
Research That Drives Practice
Understanding How Young People Learn About Money
Faculty research directly informs educational programming, policy insights, and community-facing initiatives across financial behavior, sustainability, and consumer economics. This includes ongoing work exploring how children and adolescents develop financial understanding, decision-making skills, and consumer behavior patterns — engaging over 550 youth participants through:
- Bilingual parent-child financial communication research
- First-generation student financial confidence studies
- NSF-reviewed youth research seminars
Initiative Leadership Committee
This initiative is guided by a cross-disciplinary team of faculty leaders:
Building Impact That Extends Beyond the Classroom
The Business and Societal Impact Initiative reflects a unified commitment to advancing economic opportunity, strengthening communities, and preparing students to lead with purpose.
Explore partnership opportunities, student engagement pathways, and research collaborations with the College of Business.