Helping others—through research and teaching—is a driving motivation for Dr. Bryan Foltice (B.S. ’03).

He first discovered this interest while working with clients at Fidelity Investments on their retirement accounts. “What I learned at the end of all my conversations there,” says Foltice, who now serves as assistant professor of finance at Butler University, “is that most people really need assistance with their financial decision making.” According to Foltice, everyone has biases related to finances, and they consistently make mistakes because of those biases (such as having a preference for thinking in linear lines vs. exponential growth).

Because of his time working in finance, Foltice now focuses his academic research on finding ways to help people make better financial decisions. “With everything I write, I have that one goal in mind,” he says. “I always publish with the hope that retirement plan administrators see and implement what’s suggested in my work.”

Whether it’s discovering best practices for educating others in a way that helps them make more informed decisions or to be aware of their biases, his hope is that his research provides real-world application to assist others.

Foltice’s desire to help people easily extends to the classroom. “When I think about my CU experience, I remember the various professors and coaches who made a positive impact on my life. Now I find myself on the other side of the conversation. That’s really exciting to me, and I take it very seriously.”

Because of this, he’s intentional about the small things, such as coming to class early to get to know students or learn more about their career goals, always with an eye toward providing a positive influence. He notes when they show interest in research or are especially good at math, and then he makes a point to suggest research topics to help them develop an area of expertise that will set them apart in the eyes of prospective employers.

“Just being there and meeting them right where they’re at is important,” says Foltice. “At the end of the day, it all comes back to the student. Trying to love and support them and be a positive role model in their lives. That will never change.”

About Bryan

Dr. Bryan Foltice (B.S. ’03) is an assistant professor of finance at Butler University and the 2017 recipient of the Lacy School of Business Excellence in Research Award. He received his MBA from the University of North Florida and his doctorate in behavioral finance from the University of Münster in Germany. He previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Deutsche Bank and spent three seasons in Germany playing professional basketball. His research interests include behavioral finance, household finance, experimental finance, financial decision making and retirement savings.

Photo courtesy of Butler University