Radford University dedicates Virginia Credit Union Financial Success Center

Radford University and Virginia Credit Union celebrated the opening of the new Virginia Credit Union Financial Success Center on Sept. 17, beginning a partnership designed to help students build the knowledge, skills and confidence for making sound financial decisions throughout their lives. 

Located in Kyle Hall, the center was made possible through a $2.5 million commitment from Virginia Credit Union and will provide students with financial education and resources ranging from budgeting and credit management to preparing for the financial decisions they will face after graduation. 

University leaders, students and representatives from Virginia Credit Union gathered for the dedication and ribbon-cutting, celebrating a partnership focused on strengthening financial well-being on campus and, eventually, throughout the region. 

“The Virginia Credit Union Financial Success Center represents a powerful investment in student success, community well-being and regional prosperity,” Radford University President Bret Danilowicz said during the dedication. “The center was intentionally created to serve both our university community and the broader region.” 

The center will initially focus on Radford students through student peer financial coaching, workshops and digital learning tools, creating a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment where students can ask questions and strengthen their understanding of personal finance. Its long-term vision includes expanding programming and resources to faculty, staff, alumni and communities throughout the New River and Roanoke valleys. 

"Financial education has always been at the heart of Virginia Credit Union's mission as we strive to improve the financial well-being of our members and the communities we serve,” said Chris Shockley ’92, the president and CEO of Virginia Credit Union. “This center represents far more than a new program or initiative – it is a tangible reflection of our deep commitment to those we are honored to serve. In the years to come, the center's work will have a meaningful, measurable impact by helping individuals make informed decisions about personal finance and money management, strengthening our families and communities in the process." 

The center is led by Gayle M. Evezich, an accredited financial counselor who brings experience working with military members and their families as a financial coach in Germany and across the United States, as well as experience in the private and nonprofit sectors. 

Evezich said the center's work complements Radford University's broader commitment to supporting the whole student. 

“Financial wellness is a vital part of student success and overall well-being,” Evezich said. “By embedding the Financial Success Center directly into Radford’s Culture of Care, we are providing students with practical tools – from student peer coaching to interactive workshops – that replace financial anxiety with confidence. I look forward to collaborating closely with campus partners and community organizations as we establish this foundation for our students today, eventually expanding our reach to support faculty, staff, alumni, and our broader regional communities.” 

The center is housed within Radford University's Davis College of Business and Economics. Dean Donna Weaver McCloskey said during the dedication that financial knowledge is an important extension of preparing students for successful careers, giving them tools that can influence decisions for decades after they leave college. 

The partnership also reflects Radford's strategic plan, Shaping Tomorrow – Together, and its emphasis on student success, regional engagement and purposeful partnerships.