Extension

Mengya Wang is the new personal finance specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension. She plans to focus on educating women about finances, financial planning for retirement and the economic aspects of aging. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Agriculture)

 

Mengya Wang has found a way to join her interests in both education and finance as an Oklahoma State University state Extension specialist in personal finance. She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Wang joined OSU in July 2024.

 

Wang’s primary focus areas include educating women about finances, teaching others about financial planning for retirement, and the economic aspects of aging.

 

“Financial planning is very important. I believe some people don’t have a solid financial plan because they simply don’t know how to do it,” Wang said. “I love working in Extension because of the outreach possibilities and helping people better understand the importance of financial planning. Through Extension, we have the opportunity to make connections with people and make their lives better.”

 

Wang said she enjoys conducting research and is interested in how people, particularly women and caregivers, can apply the research findings to improve their lives.

 

She and her husband are only children, and caring for their parents is part of their culture and something they have discussed as part of their personal financial plan. Caregiving is a large issue worldwide, and often, caregivers don’t receive enough support.

 

“I want to teach caregivers how they can take care of others while also preparing for their own retirement and focusing on financial well-being,” Wang said. “Also, divorce and death of a spouse impact a person financially. I want to empower women in these situations to become more financially aware, so they are more financially secure for the future.”

 

In addition to planning for retirement, Wang said financial literacy should begin at a young age. Helping children distinguish between a want and a need is important for financial security. With OSU Extension’s capacity for outreach programs, she hopes to collaborate with schools and provide financial literacy information geared toward elementary students.

 

“Helping children learn how to handle money, including saving and budgeting, can have a big impact. The more financial education we can provide to children, the better off they’ll be later on,” she said.

 

Her native country, China, does not have a cooperative Extension system, so she is looking for ways to share her expertise there.

 

“I love helping people learn about investing and planning for their futures, so this is my dream job. I’m fortunate I get to do something I’m passionate about,” she said.

 

Wang earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a second major in finance from Sichuan International Studies University in Chongqing, China. She holds dual master’s degrees in economics from the University of Picardy Jules Vern in France and education from Carthage College in Wisconsin. She completed her doctoral degree in gerontology from Iowa State University.