<p><span class="p-body">The Spring 2025 semester marked the launch of a significant initiative within the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business/finance-and-taxation.html" target="_blank">Finance and Taxation</a> Department at NYU SPS: the Angelia and Joseph Comberiate Memorial Scholarship. Established by the department’s esteemed adjunct faculty, Leonard Comberiate, the scholarship honors the legacy of his parents, who inspired him to pursue higher education and achieve success through hard work and dedication. This scholarship supports ambitious students working toward their <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/financial-planning.html" target="_blank">Certificate in Financial Planning (CFP)</a>, helping them achieve academic and professional success.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The first cohort of scholarship recipients, Shanisha Dixon, Walter Stratton, and Teri Lee, embody the very spirit of the award through their inspiring career goals and commitment to community service.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Shanisha Dixon is driven by a passion to uplift vulnerable populations. With her future CFP certification, she aims to “empower individuals and underserved communities to achieve financial security and freedom through comprehensive planning and education. [Her] certification will bridge the gap between information and implementation, enabling [her] to help clients build wealth, secure retirement, and leave lasting legacies.”</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Walter Stratton is equally dedicated to making a tangible difference. He intends to leverage his CFP “to provide tailored financial guidance, focusing on retirement preparation, estate planning, and personalized investment approaches.” He states, “I aim to assist clients in reaching their financial goals by making well-informed choices. I also pledge to volunteer to help inform underprivileged communities, fostering financial knowledge and stability, and continue my duty as an Eagle Scout.”&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Teri Lee's focus is on cultivating financial literacy in the next generation. She believes that “by promoting awareness early, [she] hopes to help individuals make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals, aspirations, and be better prepared for the future.” Her dedication to empowering young people with essential financial knowledge underscores the scholarship's mission to foster positive change.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The Finance and Taxation Department looks forward to the success of these talented students as they complete their CFP education and realize their professional goals. The Angelia and Joseph Memorial Scholarship will be offered in the summer and fall semesters of 2025, and all currently enrolled CFP students are encouraged to apply.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>