People

Virginia Solis Zuiker, an associate professor, joined the FSOS faculty in 1996 and teaches courses around individuals and family finance and counseling and conducts research on financial socialization of college students and how family businesses manage cash flow.  

Her research agenda examines family financial issues, including young adults’ financial acumen  and racial/ethnic differences, and the differences between the entrepreneurial experience for Mexican immigrant and US-born Mexican entrepreneurs. Her work has expanded knowledge into the unique challenges facing diverse populations. Her research also explores home-based businesses, family-owned businesses, and the self- employed, particularly the cash flow management within families who own businesses and  whether challenges facing the business affect family dynamics and household management. A native Texan, she is the author of the book, Hispanic self-employment in the Southwest: Rising above the threshold of poverty. 

Zuiker led the initiative to FSoS’  undergraduate major becoming among those programs approved by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®, the only one in Minnesota. She is also the supervising faculty for the FSoS Department's Accredited Financial Counselor credential offered through AFCPE.  

Economic Well-Being of Diverse Families in the United States:  This research agenda is designed to understand the economic well-being of diverse families residing in the U.S. and in Minnesota by examining economic and management issues that affect individuals and families.

Exploring College Students' Journey with their Finances: This research agenda examines financial issues experienced by college students and compare the experiences of first-generation college students and non-first-generation college students.

Family Businesses and the Self-Employed (housed at Montana State University): This multi-state research project examines the self-employed versus wage and salary earners, family business owners, and financial management issues that affect individual and family economic well-being. 

Financial Delivery Methods: The purpose of this research project is to examine the variety of delivery methods used by financial professionals to provide financial education and descriptions of how they define their position/role to maximize successful outcomes with the audiences they serve.

Learning from Experts: Having a Dialogue with Financial Counselors/Coaches of Color about their Best Practices: This research agenda is designed to understand the needs of professionals of color who work in financial wellness programs with clients of color to achieve goals of financial stability and sustainable homeownership.

Outreach & Engagement

Professor to take research project on the road, CEHD news blog

Credit reports, online curriculum module, Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. 

Case worker responsibility & credit reports for youth in foster care, online curriculum module, Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota.