EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Many students are unprepared and overwhelmed managing their finances while navigating college. According to a recent Inside Higher Ed survey, 73% of students experience financial difficulty while enrolled in college. 

Eastern Michigan University’s podcast for students, “Enlighten U,” focuses on this concerning manner in its December episode, as well as its effect on mental health.

EMU graduate student Lamarr Mitchell shared his financial journey as he navigates college. Mitchell has dealt with his financial burdens throughout his years at Eastern. Invited to the “Enlighten U” table, he shares his journey of managing his finances as a college student and goes in-depth on where financial stress affected his mental health. 

Joining Mitchell is Veronica Brandon, a licensed economic opportunity specialist. Brandon is the supervisor at Washtenaw County’s Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). The FEC consults and advises individuals through professional one-on-one meetings to set up a financial plan that addresses an individual's challenges, needs, and what is best for their future. At the table, Brandon discussed the importance of financial literacy- providing information on valuable resources to allow students to be set on the right track financially. 

The FEC is available to all students at EMU and any individual who lives or works in Washtenaw County. The EMU branch is located in the University Advising and Career Development Center, 200 McKenny Hall.

“The weight of financial burdens are heavy on college students' mental health, especially now because of soaring inflation and increased costs for most goods and services,” said Lolita Cummings, “Enlighten U” co-host. “The insightful discussions shared on this episode will increase the financial literacy of most students and help them to manage their money better.”

Future episodes of “Enlighten U” will address college burnout, imposter syndrome, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.

For more information about “Enlighten U,” contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu and Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu. Email messages with guest and topic suggestions can also be sent to Enlighten_U@emich.edu. “Enlighten U" is available on all major podcast streaming services and EMU's YouTube Channel. The next episode will air Monday, Jan. 15. 

About Enlighten U
“Enlighten U” is an Eastern Michigan University-produced podcast for college students as they experience unique stressors, including academic pressures, personal growth, social challenges, and more. EMU executive director of media relations and social media Melissa Thrasher and EMU public relations professor Lolita Cummings serve as co-hosts. Each episode is released each month and welcomes a student or alum and a subject-matter professional. Episodes of “Enlighten U” address mental health topics like imposter syndrome, financial strain, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.