Mississippi Council on Economic Education President Selena Swartzfager Receives National Technology Award

Selena Swartzfager

Mississippi Council on Economic Education President Selena Swartzfager Receives National Technology Award


Jackson, MS — March 24, 2025 — Selena Swartzfager, President of the Mississippi Council on Economic Education (MCEE), has been honored with the prestigious Abbejean Kehler Technology Award from the National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE). The award was presented at NAEE’s annual conference, held recently at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


The Abbejean Kehler Technology Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate innovative use of technology in delivering economic and financial literacy education. Recipients must have shown leadership in developing tech-based programs or resources that improve educator effectiveness and student learning.


Under Swartzfager’s leadership, MCEE has made significant strides in integrating technology into educator training and student learning across the state. The organization launched a suite of Canvas-based Master Teacher programs in Economics, Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship, and College & Career Readiness—providing comprehensive, accessible professional development for Mississippi teachers. In addition, MCEE developed no cost, student-facing courses in each of these subject areas to expand economic education for Mississippi youth. They are accessible at no cost to all Mississippi teachers for use in their classrooms. They can be used in full or in parts that will fit inside other subject areas.


“This award is such an honor,” said Swartzfager. “But it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing team of educators who helped bring these programs to life. Their creativity, passion, and commitment to making economic and financial education available for all teachers and students is what truly moved MCEE forward. I share this recognition with them.”

This team consists of the following: James Wilcox (University of Southern MS), Becky Smith (MS State University), Brandon Bolen (Mississippi College), Jeannette Bennett (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis), Claire Loup (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta), Tawni Hunt Ferrarini (Lindenwood University), Gabby Eyzaguirre (technology consultant) and Master teachers Julie Ingram and Theresa Conner.


The National Association of Economic Educators is a professional association dedicated to advancing economic and financial literacy by empowering educators and promoting best practices across the country.


For more information, please visit www.mscee.org or contact MCEE at 601-974-1325 or mscee@millsaps.edu.


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Mississippi Council on Economic Education
1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39210

www.mscee.org

601-974-1325

mscee@millsaps.edu


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Mississippi Council on Economic Education Welcomes Julie Ingram as Community Engagement Coordinator

By Selena Swartzfager • February 3, 2026
Jackson, MS — February 3, 2026 — The Mississippi Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is pleased to announce that Julie Ingram has joined the organization as Community Engagement Coordinator, strengthening MCEE’s capacity to scale high-impact financial literacy and economic education initiatives across the state. In her role, Ingram leads community-based programming including the Stock Market Game, Danny Dollar Academy, Family Financial Fun Nights, and the Invest in Girls initiative. Her work focuses on expanding access, strengthening partnerships, recruiting industry volunteers, delivering afterschool educator professional development, and ensuring data-driven program outcomes. Ingram brings more than 15 years of experience in education, leadership, and curriculum development, with deep expertise in economics, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and workforce-aligned instruction. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has served as adjunct faculty with MCEE, co-teaching Master Teacher of Personal Finance coursework in partnership with the Atlanta and St. Louis Federal Reserve Banks. Her career includes statewide and national recognition, curriculum authorship, educator mentoring, and service on advisory councils shaping Mississippi education policy. As Community Engagement Coordinator, Ingram will travel statewide to support educators, students, and community partners—advancing MCEE’s mission to build financially capable communities in 24 of Mississippi's counties. “The addition of Julie to the MCEE team will allow us to serve more families with the Family Financial Fun Night and more students in afterschool programs with economic and financial literacy education,” said Selena Swartzfager, president of MCEE. “We have an unlimited demand for our services; we just need the resources to meet the demand. Having Julie on our staff increases our capacity to address financial illiteracy in Mississippi. We are so thankful to have her on the team.” The counties served by the MCEE Community Outreach Coordinator are below. Organizations or individuals wanting to partner with MCEE in the counties to be served are encouraged to reach out for more information by emailing MCEE at mscee@millsaps.edu . Please use Community Outreach in the subject line. ### Mississippi Council on Economic Education 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39210 www.mscee.org 601-974-1325 mscee@millsaps.edu