What began as a part-time job at a local bank for Missouri State University senior Katelyn Richter developed into a career path focused on helping people build better financial futures.

Richter, a Springfield native, transferred to Missouri State in the spring 2025 semester. When she first started college, she didn’t expect to major in finance.

“I started out as an elementary education major. But after I began working as a teller at Central Bank during my freshman year, I realized how much I enjoyed helping people with their finances.”

That job experience, along with encouragement from her parents and her manager at Central Bank, inspired Richter to explore Missouri State’s finance program. She soon discovered a field that combined her love for numbers and her desire to make a difference.

Building confidence

Richter found her place in the finance, economics and risk management department, growing both academically and personally.

“What stands out most to me about the program is the support I’ve felt from professors and classmates,” she said. “They’ve helped me see how finance can be both challenging and meaningful.”

Her involvement on campus extends beyond the classroom. Richter is an executive treasurer for the Financial Planning Association at Missouri State, a role that has strengthened her leadership and teamwork skills.

“I love seeing my classroom lessons come to life through real conversations about money, values and goals,” she said.

Earning a national spotlight

Richter’s dedication was recently recognized. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) selected her as one of Missouri State’s 2025-26 student liaisons for its Board-Approved Financial Planning Major Registered Program.

The CFP Board is a national nonprofit that oversees the Certified Financial Planner certification. It helps ensure financial planners meet high standards of education, ethics and professionalism while promoting the value of financial planning.

“I first learned about the opportunity from Dr. Jana Ault-Phillips, clinical assistant professor of finance, who also nominated me for the role,” Richter said. “I read over the responsibilities and knew I’d be honored to take it on.”

In this role, Richter connects students with industry professionals through social media and on-campus events, helping more Bears see how financial planning can impact people’s lives in positive ways.

She got to attend the 2025 CFP Board Connections Conference from Oct. 6-8 in Chicago, Illinois.  There, she engaged with professionals and students from across the country.

“It was an amazing opportunity to meet others in the industry and learn from people who share the same passion for financial planning,” she said.

She also competed in the student competition alongside her teammates.

“I’m so thankful for everyone who made this experience possible, especially the CFP Board, Erika Matthews, who organized everything for students and Dr. Phillips, who supported us every step of the way,” she said. “It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

Planning for the future

After graduation, Richter hopes to become a paraplanner while preparing for the CFP exam. She sees her liaison experience as a valuable step toward that goal.

“This opportunity has given me the chance to build professional connections and grow as a leader,” she said. “It’s shown me how important it is to be both knowledgeable and compassionate in this field.”

As she looks ahead, Richter remains focused on the reason she switched paths in the first place – empowering others to achieve financial security and peace of mind.

“Finance isn’t just about numbers,” she said. “It’s about helping people make choices that improve their lives.”

Explore finance