The Alpaugh Family Economics Center at UC

Our Student Enterprise Program team spent Monday at Bond Hill Academy with amazing help from Lauren, Hannah, Kayla & Ty from @messerwearebldg. Students shopped, saved, and donated their StEP earnings to @RMHCincinnati for good behavior and attendance. #StEP #financialeducation

Our Student Enterprise team visited 2nd–4th graders at Holy Family School in Price Hill last week for their StEP store, where students used earnings from good behavior and attendance to decide whether to spend, save, or donate. Thanks to our great volunteers from @ClevelandFed!

J.T. Mackay first got involved with the Center in 2019, volunteering at StEP stores. He later served as President of our Emerging Leaders, helping reinvigorate the group, and now continues his leadership on our Board of Trustees. Thank you, J.T., for supporting our mission!

On April 21, we’ll honor the educators and community leaders who make financial & economic education meaningful and lasting for students, and hear from alumni whose lives were shaped by it. Thanks to our Annual Awards sponsors! You can still join them: economicscenter.org/2026-annual-aw…

3rd quarter Student Enterprise Program (StEP) stores are underway, and we kicked things off at Holy Cross in Covington! Thanks to our volunteers from @UnitedDairyFar1, @FifthThird, and UC for helping students as they made decisions on spending, saving, and donating StEP earnings!

Over the years, our Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) product list has gone from MP3s & disposable cameras to more school supplies and gift cards, while giving students hands-on lessons in money, entrepreneurship, & smart choices. #WorkThatMatters #FinancialEducation

As we mark our 50th anniversary, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible people who make the work of the Alpaugh Family Economics Center possible. Today, we’re proud to introduce Dr. Mari Phillips, a dedicated educator and valued member of our board of trustees.

Procrastinating on taxes? Alpaugh Family Economics Center Co-Executive Director Sue Heilmayer explains on @Local12 why filing early pays off. She also discusses the Alpaugh family’s planned estate gift and its impact on the future of financial education. local12.com/news/arc-cinci…

During 2nd quarter Student Enterprise Program stores, data from nearly 4,000 students across greater Cincinnati showed: -96% saved some of their earnings -70% saved $100+ -Nearly 1 in 3 saved $500 or more -On average, students saved almost half of what they earned This is StEP.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to introduce some of the amazing people who make our work at the Alpaugh Family Economics Center possible. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on board of trustees member John Steiner of Encore Technologies! #EconEd

We’re so grateful to our 144 volunteers for giving 400+ hours this quarter at Student Enterprise stores! Because of you, 3,539 students were able to make their own spending, saving, and giving decisions with StEP earnings for good behavior and attendance. #StEPImpact #ThankYou

Thanks to the Johnson Charitable Gift Fund for supporting 500 Ohio student teams in the Spring Stock Market Game! Thanks to them, hundreds of Ohio students—many playing for the first time—will get hands-on experience managing a virtual $100k portfolio to learn about investing.

We wrapped up 2nd quarter Student Enterprise Program (StEP) store at North College Hill on Friday! Students use StEP earnings for good behavior and attendance to buy items, save, or donate to charity. Thanks to volunteers from @jpmorgan, @Truist, and @nsbtco for their help!

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re reminded that service takes many forms, including the everyday work of volunteers, teachers, and students building a stronger future together. #MLK #financialeducation #EconEd #volunteer

Roll Hill’s 4th–6th graders were ready for their StEP store after a snow-day delay! Students used earnings from good behavior and attendance to buy school essentials, soccer balls and toys, and donate to Shriners Children's. Thanks to @Deloitte for the amazing volunteers! #StEP

Holiday bills piling up? You’re not alone. Our Co-Executive Director, Sue Heilmayer, stopped by @Local12's Good Morning, Cincinnati to share practical tips for tackling holiday debt and getting your finances back on track in the new year. #financialeducation #money

We had a great Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) store at Oakdale Elementary on Wednesday. Volunteers from @HomeCityIce worked alongside Carol Russell from @uofcincyfound, UC student Audrey, and Emerging Leaders board member Nic Ruscello. Thanks to all!

Our first StEP store of 2026 took place at St. Clement School in St. Bernard. With help from wonderful volunteers from @dinsmore_shohl, the hardworking students in grades 2–8 made decisions about spending, saving, and donating their StEP earnings for good behavior and attendance.

As the calendar turns, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the educators, students, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible and share our belief that financial education and economic research truly matter. Wishing you a hopeful, meaningful, and prosperous New Year!

This season is full of traditions and moments to pause and reflect. To everyone celebrating Christmas, we send our warmest wishes! And to our whole community, thank you for helping us build a world full of learning, confidence, and new opportunities.