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Barren County Community Personal Finance Class


WKU Barren County Community Personal Finance Class

This course is designed to offer a high-quality personal finance class to our community by teaching concepts and tools to help us get control of our personal and business finances. The class will be taught in a lecture style in a supportive, encouraging environment.


Dates:  Every Tuesday from February 10, 2026 – April 14, 2026 (excluding April 7th)

Time:  5:30pm – 7:00pm (each session)

Location: Barren County Innovation Zone, 491 Trojan Trail, Glasgow, KY 42141

Price per student:  $25

*A certificate of completion will be awarded to all students that attend each of the first 7 sessions.


Lesson 1: Foundations of Personal Finance

  • Financial literacy basics
  • Aspects related to the Psychology of Money
  • Money mindset
  • Time value of money
  • Lifestyle inflation and habits
  • Set goals and make incremental progress

 

 

Instructor: Scott Kerley


Headshot of Scott Kerley

Scott Kerley owns Kerley Construction Company, Inc, a general contracting firm in Glasgow, KY, and is an adjunct instructor in Personal Finance for WKU Glasgow.  Scott was born in Glasgow, KY and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1986.  He attended Western Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics in 1991.  He later pursued a Master of Arts in Economics, graduating in 1994.  He’s been married to his incredible wife, Dawn, for 31 years and they are proud parents of 2 daughters, Dr. Madison Kerley and Dr. Taryn Kerley-Stewart.  He’s very involved in the local community having served as Chairman for Barren Inc in 2023 and serving in multiple roles for the TNT chapter of BNI and the Kiwanis Club of Glasgow, as well as, serving 12 years as a former Deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church. Scott enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading and serving the community.

Lesson 2: Budgeting & Cash Flow

  • Budgeting methods: 50/30/20, zero-based, envelope
  • Cash flow management
  • Plan for the unexpected
  • Long Term implications of my money decisions
  • Emergency funds (3 to 6 months expenses)

 

Instructor: Scott Kerley


Headshot of Scott Kerley

Scott Kerley owns Kerley Construction Company, Inc, a general contracting firm in Glasgow, KY, and is an adjunct instructor in Personal Finance for WKU Glasgow.  Scott was born in Glasgow, KY and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1986.  He attended Western Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics in 1991.  He later pursued a Master of Arts in Economics, graduating in 1994.  He’s been married to his incredible wife, Dawn, for 31 years and they are proud parents of 2 daughters, Dr. Madison Kerley and Dr. Taryn Kerley-Stewart.  He’s very involved in the local community having served as Chairman for Barren Inc in 2023 and serving in multiple roles for the TNT chapter of BNI and the Kiwanis Club of Glasgow, as well as, serving 12 years as a former Deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church. Scott enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading and serving the community.

Lesson 3: Banking, Debt Management, Credit & Fraud Prevention

  • Bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs, money market)
  • The importance of credit scores & reports
  • Fraud: phishing, card skimming, identity theft -Security: 2FA, alerts, freezes
  • Mortgages
  • Big purchase financing
  • Types of debt (student loans, credit cards, mortgages, auto loans)
  • Credit cards and how to use them
  • Repayment: snowball vs. avalanche- Debt traps
  • College funding & student loans

 

Instructor: Karisa Peterson


Headshot of Karisa Peterson

Karisa Peterson is the Barren County Market Executive at German American Bank.  She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University as well as the Kentucky Bankers Association General Banking School, with over 30 years’ experience in Banking. Karisa is an Ambassador for Barren Inc, the Barren County Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Board of Sustainable Glasgow.  She is a founding member of the BNI Chapter in Glasgow and a Past-President of the Barren County Chamber of Commerce and the Glasgow Rotary Club, former Board Member of the Barren-Metcalfe EMS, and was active in the founding of the annual South Central Kentucky Business EXPO. Her favorite volunteer activity is being a character coach for middle and high school sports teams through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the last eight years.  Karisa resides in Glasgow, Kentucky, with her husband and daughter.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and reading.

 

Instructor: Danny Scott


Headshot of Danny Scott

Danny is a dedicated mortgage professional with more than 15 years of experience helping clients achieve their homeownership goals. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Danny holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and has been serving the community as a loan officer since 2010.  He lives in Bowling Green with his wife, Abby, and their two daughters, Ella and Lilah. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time on the lake with family and friends, playing golf, and exploring hiking trails.  Danny is committed to providing a smooth, informed, and personalized lending experience for every client he serves.

Lesson 4: Saving & Investing

  • Savings accounts vs. investments
  • Make my money work for me
  • Asset classes: stocks, bonds, funds, real estate
  • How to read a prospectus
  • Diversification
  • Dollar Cost Averaging
  • Passive income & wealth-building

 

Instructor: Zac Ross


Headshot of Zac Ross

I was born and raised here in Glasgow. I graduated from Barren County high school in 2014 and earned a B.S. in Finance from WKU in 2017. I began my career as a Financial Advisor in 2018 with Edward Jones and I am a Certified Financial Planner. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family and outdoors. My wife Emily, and I, have two boys. James (3) and Griffin (6 months old).

Lesson 5: Taxes and Accounting

  • Tax brackets & withholding
  • Strategies to reduce taxes
  • Tax-advantaged accounts (HSA, 529, IRA)
  • Balance Sheet and Income Statements
  • Reading financial statements

 

Instructor: Drew Thompson


Headshot of Drew Thompson

Drew Thompson graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Accounting and Financial Planning and has devoted more than 20 years to serving individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. In 2019, he purchased Lockshield Partners Accounting Services and assumed the role of Senior Accountant & Managing Partner, where he continues to lead the firm with a blend of expertise, integrity, and genuine care.

Those who work with Drew quickly recognize his dedication to both his team and clients. He leads with compassion and a strong commitment to excellence, consistently offering insight and guidance grounded in deep industry knowledge. His expertise in accounting and financial planning benefits not only the clients he serves, but anyone who seeks his strategic advice.

Outside the office, Drew is deeply rooted in family and community. He can often be found at the ballpark with his wife, Becky, and their four boys, growing in his faith alongside his church family, and spending meaningful time with friends and loved ones.

Drew’s leadership continues to shape the vision and values of Lockshield Partners. His dedication to his clients, his team, and his community continues to inspire those who work alongside him.

Lesson 6: Insurance & Risk Management

  • Personal insurance (health, life, disability, home, auto)
  • Business insurance (liability, workers’ comp, interruption)
  • Umbrella policies, builders risk
  • Credit ratings and insurance rates
  • Bonding

 

Instructor: Matt London


Headshot of Matt London

Matt London is Agency Manger of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Agency on Reynolds Rd in Glasgow. With nearly 25 years experience in the Insurance industry, Matt has managed offices for KFB in Lexington and now in Glasgow since 2008.

After graduating from Barren Co High School, Matt furthered his education at the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agricultural Communications and minor in Agricultural Economics in 2001. While at UK, Matt met his wife Betsy, they have been married for 24 years and have two daughters, Katie Beth and Annalee.

Matt was reared in the Hiseville community on a diversified family farm consisting of dairy, tobacco, hay, beef and small grain operations. Today, Matt and Betsy live and operate a small beef herd on part of that family farm.

Service to the community has long been instilled in Matt’s life. He is a member of Coral Hill Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon and Small group leader. He has recently served in various capacities in the community as Past Chair of the boards of the following organizations, Barren, Inc, Barren Co Extension District Board, Barren Co Ag Development Board and the KY FFA Foundation Board of Trustees.

Lesson 7: Long-Term Wealth & Financial Freedom

  • Estate planning: wills, trusts, beneficiaries
  • Legally protect your assets

 

Instructor: Brian Pack


Headshot of Brian Pack

Brian works for Pack Law Firm, P.S.C. in Glasgow, Kentucky. His current practice focuses on special needs trusts, probate/estates, personal injury litigation, corporate setup and advising, estate planning, and adoptions. He currently serves as a member of the Kentucky Bar Character and Fitness Committee, Kentucky Bar Ethics Hotline Committee, former chairman of the Barren County Ethics Board, and member of the Barren River Area Development District Ethics Board.

Brian is a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky.  He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with High Distinction and Departmental Honors in Finance, from the University of Kentucky in 1990.  In 1993, he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College Of Law and was admitted to the practice of law by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  He worked as a law clerk under Hon. Benjamin L. Dickinson, Barren Circuit Judge, Glasgow, Kentucky, from 1993 to 1995.  In 1995, he accepted the appointment of judicial law clerk for Justice Charles Reynolds of the Kentucky Supreme Court.  Brian also had the privilege of serving as judicial law clerk for Justice Walter Baker and Justice William Cooper of the Kentucky Supreme Court. In September of 1997, he began his private practice with Herbert & Herbert.  He was named partner to the firm of Herbert, Herbert & Pack in 2001. In 2003, he was elected President of the Barren County Bar Association. He currently serves as Secretary/ Treasurer of the Barren County Bar Association. He previously served on the Kentucky Bench and Bar Committee. In 2008, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the Barren County YMCA. He currently practices law in Glasgow with Pack Law Firm, P.S.C.

Bonus Lesson 8: Career and Continuing Education

  • CV (Resume)
  • Job Search Tools
  • Educational Opportunities
  • Discover Career Pathways
  • Align likes and interests with your job
  • What do I need to make to reach goals and live comfortably
  • Opportunities for nontraditional students (how to pay for education)

Bonus Lesson 9: Retirement, Medicare & Healthcare in Retirement

  • Retirement strategies (early vs. traditional)
  • Is Social Security enough to retire on
  • Medicare Parts A, B, C, D
  • Original vs. Advantage (pros & cons)
  • Medigap explained
  • Enrollment periods and penalties

 

Register Now

Questions? Contact us today!


For assistance with registration:

cpd@wku.edu | 270-745-1912


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 Last Modified 3/5/26