Presenting to 1,200 people can be intimidating.
Doing it immediately after a dance off qualifies as next level.
“They were pumped,” said Jason Escobedo of his audience.
When the group took their seats and with the spotlight’s intense glare and heat, Escobedo was on – and he was ready.
“I love speaking in public,” said the Regions Bank branch manager. “I should’ve been a teacher at some point in my life. Every time I speak, it teaches me something.”
In August, Escobedo and his teammates visited Texas Southern University (TSU) to teach the Class of 2029 Regions’ “Banking Basics for Students” financial education course during Welcome Week. Regions has been a community partner of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Houston for the past three years, donating more than $150,000 to support the Jesse H. Jones School of Business and additional campus initiatives. Bank associates also mentor students and volunteer with educational programs.
Connecting with the Tiger freshmen that day was extra special for Regions Stadium Branch relationship manager Maranda Alix for two reasons:
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- She’s a proud TSU alumna.
- She didn’t have the same experience eight years ago.
“We didn’t have a Welcome Week because of Hurricane Harvey,” Alix explained. “I had to find everything on my own, so I encouraged the students to really seize this moment.”
Escobedo focused on helping them do the same while leading the 75-minute financial education class.
“When I’m speaking to a group of 100 or more people, I don’t expect it to be a give and take, it’s typically more just me presenting,” he said. “But this group was especially engaged. They were raising their hands when we asked questions and shouting ‘Money!’ back to me as a group throughout the session.”
To set the stage and help students feel more comfortable talking about an often-uncomfortable topic, Escobedo discussed his own money management missteps as a young adult.
“I had really bad spending habits and messed up my credit,” he said. “The financial journey is inevitable, so the right thing to do is to have an educated journey. It’s all about having that conversation. I’m truly passionate about helping people reach their financial goals.”
So is Alix.
“I worked so much while I was in school, so I really made it my duty that day to make sure the students know why it’s important to have financial confidence at this age,” she said. “It’s like being the friend who holds you accountable. We want to see you go from wanting to having.”
Escobedo believes that transition is rooted in everyday decisions.
“I began by telling the TSU students, ‘You made a choice to get up this morning to create a better life for yourself; you could’ve said, ‘No,’” said Escobedo. “This is about focusing on the future. It’s the same in making choices about spending. I share my own experience of learning to reach for the things I needed more than the things I wanted; of learning the difference between deferred versus instant gratification.”
I really made it my duty that day to make sure the students know why it’s important to have financial confidence at this age. It’s like being the friend who holds you accountable. We want to see you go from wanting to having.
Maranda Alix , Regions Stadium Branch relationship manager
As the auditorium cleared, Escobedo’s teammates shared more resources with Tiger Nation, including information about the bank’s Riding Forward Scholarship Contest and Emerging Talent Program offering internship opportunities.
They also had more in-depth conversations.
“It was a chance to sit with people, listen and talk with them,” Escobedo said. “Our associates were asking questions, like ‘What do you see in your future? What are your aspirations?’”
And Alix even shared some personal advice from her TSU journey.
“I know exactly what they are experiencing, so I told them, ‘Join everything you can, take pictures, create memories, do things,’” she said. “I encouraged them to have a ball and embrace it all while they’re here, because time flies.”
Reminding Alix to savor every minute of that day herself.
“Being back on campus was a nostalgic feeling,” she said. “It was a very sweet moment, I was soaking it all in. TSU is a place where you always feel welcome and supported. Not only do you find yourself, you find your community.”
Departing campus that day, Alix felt immense TSU – and Regions – pride.
“Our time with the students was heartfelt and high energy,” she said. “We created connections while sharing resources. I really appreciate Regions doing this to help the students reach their goals since I wasn’t able to as a freshman. It shows how we build relationships. We are relationships.”
Regions Commercial Banking relationship manager Shawntay Johnson also volunteered at the Welcome Week financial education class. Johnson, who serves as an advisory council member with TSU’s Future Bankers Program, returned to campus in late August to teach a “Principles of Banking” class.
“The students asked such thoughtful questions,” said Johnson. “Hearing them share their hopes and dreams was powerful; they know where they’re heading. I went to give back but ended up receiving much more from our session.”