Students participating in the Pacific Life LIFEvest Financial Literacy Residential Program through the Todd and Lisa Halbrook Center for Investment and Wealth Management.
In an era where financial literacy is more crucial than ever, the UC Irvine Todd and Lisa Halbrook Center for Investment and Wealth Management (CIWM) at The Paul Merage School of Business stands as a beacon of excellence, equipping students and professionals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of global finance. Whether fostering the next generation of financial leaders or empowering individuals to build sustainable wealth, the center is defining what it means to be financially prepared in today’s dynamic economy.
The CIWM opened in April 2005. It was renamed in 2023 after receiving a gift from UC Irvine alumni Todd, MBA ’05 and Lisa ’08, MBA ’14 Halbrook. An Orange County wealth manager, Todd Halbrook had become impressed with the CIWM as an advisory board member since 2017.
For more than a decade, the CIWM has provided financial education programming to empower more than 50,000 students to achieve financial success. The center receives no government funding and depends on philanthropy to help its student community with financial support and outreach.
“The Halbrooks’ gift allowed us to enhance our programming to be reflective of the maturation of UC Irvine as a Tier 1 university,” said Christopher G. Schwarz, Ph.D., CIWM faculty director and professor of finance. “Gifts to the center have increased since the renaming, and we are very grateful.”
“The Halbrooks’ gift allowed us to enhance our programming to be reflective of the maturation of UC Irvine as a Tier 1 university,” said Christopher G. Schwarz, Ph.D., CIWM faculty director and professor of finance. “Gifts to the center have increased since the renaming, and we are very grateful.”
The Pacific Life LIFEvest Financial Literacy Summer Program, one of the most successful CIWM efforts, offers a free annual financial literacy residential summer program for underserved eighth and ninth graders living in Southern California. The program was launched in 2010 with support from a handful of donors. In 2019, the Pacific Life Foundation made a significant gift not only naming the center but also ensuring that the program would continue serving the Orange County community.
Today, Pacific Life LIFEvest participants spend a week in an immersive experience, living in dormitories, eating in dining halls, and learning financial planning and college readiness skills. Mentors help students explore business and networking opportunities and prepare for college – paths toward upward mobility.
Students who attend the summer program consistently appreciate the opportunity to learn about budgeting, credit and debt and to explore how financial literacy could help them get a job. When participants finish the program, they join the LIFEvest Alumni Network, including the LIFEvest Alumni Mentorship Program (LAMP) for ongoing support and engagement.
“The experience of college lifestyle, plus the business knowledge learned, makes you more prepared for any major you want to pursue later in life,” said Pacific Life LIFEvest alumnus participant Kyle Kaiser. “Not only did I get this experience for free, but it was also one of the most fun and memorable activities I’ve ever done.”
Rayniyah Malia James, a Pacific Life LIFEvest alumna, also gained valuable knowledge: “I learned how to budget and invest for a wealthier lifestyle because smart spending is wealthy spending.”
Schwarz expressed gratitude to all the donors who have contributed to the CIWM: “Our center’s ability to teach UC Irvine students the value of investment and wealth management is growing because our wonderful supporters believe deeply in the center’s vision and mission.”
