Alumna Avery to discuss career in federal government

The University of Southern Indiana's Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program Speaker Series will host Patricia Avery '04 at 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 29, in Kleymeyer Hall in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Avery is a program specialist for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and program manager for "Your Money, Your Goals," a financial empowerment toolkit and training program for social services staff. She will discuss her work within the CFPB's Office of Financial Empowerment and provide guidance for students considering a career in the federal government. 

Before joining the CFPB in 2012, Avery worked for Old National Bank (ONB), where she served as director of employee communications and led the bank's efforts to develop Bank On financial education programs in 18 communities. As the Bank On community outreach officer, she developed a financial coaching program for Indiana community colleges and financial education programs for the Indiana National Guard.

Prior to joining ONB, Avery's career included service in county government, reporting and producing for local television and 15 years as a missionary in Scotland, Amsterdam and Brazil, where she co-founded a home for girls. Avery was the lead editor for Evansville, Indiana's 10-year plan to end homelessness, co-chaired the community's Homeless Youth Coalition and chaired the Raising Incomes committee.

She holds a bachelor's degree in radio and television from USI.

For more information, contact Dr. Matt Hanka, MPA program director, at 812-461-5204 or mjhanka@usi.edu.