A double major in finance and economics, VanOss currently serves in the community services department at the Keefe Community Center in Hamden.

When figuring out how to spend her summer, VanOss wanted to learn what it is like to be a part of the job force full-time. She saw the fellowship role as an opportunity to experience a full-time position while also learning about the municipal government and public service.

At the Keefe Center, VanOss has been learning how diverse needs of the community allowing her to learn more about Hamden and the important role the community center plays.

During her role as a fellow, VanOss has been working on a summer program that combines her double major with the needs of the community.

Currently researching personal finance and finishing her first year of college, VanOss has developed a financial literacy summer program. The program is meant for members of the community to learn about personal finance and how education affects the community when members have access to the information.

VanOss has said she is excited about the results the program will have and the difference it will make within the community.

“The most exciting part about being a fellow is going to be seeing the difference I make. I will be hosting a new program about personal finance and this course will be a few weeks long. There will be qualitative data through this course that will help me and my colleagues see how the community is affected when taught about different financial tips,” said VanOss.

After VanOss finishes her time as a fellow, she will be studying the data to better understand how personal finance education can help the community and allow her to make a difference.