In an engaging presentation for students held this past Fall Term, St. Petersburg College President Dr. Tonjua Williams and Holly O’Neill, President of Retail Banking for Bank of America, discussed how businesses and educational institutions can collaborate to ensure student success in the classroom and beyond.
The event, titled A CEO Conversation: Unlocking Student Success and moderated by Bill Goede, former Tampa Bay President for Bank of America, was an enlightening exchange about the importance of financial literacy and higher education in shaping students’ futures.
The conversation explored how access to higher education and financial education is critical for success in all walks of life. Both leaders shared insights on how educational institutions like SPC and businesses like Bank of America must collaborate to better support students in achieving their academic and career goals. Their partnership drives home a mission both institutions agree on — promoting financial health and literacy within the community.
Empowering Students Through Financial Literacy
With a shared commitment to financial health and literacy, Williams and O’Neill delved into the critical role that financial education plays in students’ lives. From budgeting to understanding debt, the two leaders highlighted how the right financial knowledge empowers students to make informed decisions as they navigate their academic journeys and professional futures.
“We are here to help students understand the cost of their education and the resources available to them,” Williams said. “It’s vital that students understand the debt they are incurring when they take out loans and are prepared to manage that debt upon graduation.”
O’Neill emphasized that financial health is a lifelong pursuit. “No matter where you are on your financial journey, understanding how to manage your money is essential. Being intentional with your finances early on sets the foundation for success,” she said.
Supporting Students Through Education and Job Placement
This event underscored the importance of collaboration between educational institutions
and businesses to reduce the skills gap and develop opportunities that lead to career success. With programs like SPC’s Promise Scholarship offering free tuition for Pinellas County high school students who qualify and Bank of America’s ongoing investment in local communities, both institutions are helping to shape the next generation of financially literate and career-ready professionals.
This collaboration is critical for SPC’s diverse student population, which includes many first-generation college students. The average age of SPC students is between 25 and 27, and many are balancing work, family responsibilities, and the challenge of overcoming financial barriers to education.
Williams explained that the College’s programs help students understand the full scope of their financial choices, from tuition costs to navigating loan repayment. SPC offers several initiatives designed to help students manage their finances, including case management programs and financial literacy resources.
Williams also shared that the College has placed over 500 students in high-wage jobs through its partnership with Bank of America. “Our goal is not just to get students a degree but to ensure they are prepared for a successful career and a stable financial future,” she said.
O’Neill echoed this sentiment, urging students to build their financial education as early as possible. “Don’t wait until graduation to start thinking about your financial future,” she advised. “Take advantage of the financial education resources available to you now — whether online or through programs like those offered by SPC.”
Bringing Financial Literacy to Life
The audience for the CEO Conversation was filled with sophomores and juniors from the St. Petersburg Collegiate High School Gibbs Campus.
Starting in 2023-2024, high school students across Florida are required to take personal finance courses. The campus’ Principal Ian Call brought his students to the discussion to hear
what they have been learning directly from the experts. “All our sophomores are taking the class, and this is a great resource. It is always good to hear advice from experts. The more voices they
hear, the better they are to hear it and retain the information,” he said.
High school junior Alexandra Cannova said, “Everything that I learned in our personal finance class last year was mentioned during the conversation. It was nice to hear that from two reputable sources.”