Rate My Professor Kimberly Watkins

Kimberly Watkins serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences, contributing to the field of Business & Economics through her expertise in financial planning. She holds a Ph.D. in Financial Planning from the University of Georgia (2018), an M.S. in Business Management from the University of Florida (2007), and a B.S. in Political Science from Florida A&M University (2006). Her academic career includes prior service as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Consumer Sciences at the University of Alabama (2019-2021), instructor and graduate teaching assistant roles at the University of Georgia (2016-2017), graduate research assistant at UGA (2014-2016), and professional experience as a Human Resources Specialist at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (2009-2013).

Dr. Watkins' research interests encompass the financial well-being of marginalized populations, financial socialization, diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial planning, financial planning pedagogy, financial resilience, financial stress and anxiety, financial literacy, financial therapy, race/ethnicity and financial behaviors, consumer economics, and sustainability in personal finance. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including "U.S. Black adults' estate planning: The role of financial planner use, inheritance receipt, and life insurance ownership" (Financial Planning Review, 2024), "To bank or not to bank: Describing the banking status of Black households" (International Journal of Bank Marketing, 2024), "Exploring the role of financial socialization on financial planning students’ financial and career confidence: A thematic analysis" (Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 2023), and "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business ownership across racial/ethnic groups and gender" (Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, 2022). Among her honors are the Outstanding Community Outreach Leader and Career Advocate Awards from the Financial Therapy Association (2024), Lilly Teaching Fellow (2022-2024), CFP Board Research Grant (2023), and selection as one of 20 Professionals Shaping Wealth Management in 2026 by Financial Planning. She teaches courses such as Capstone in Financial Planning and Introduction to Personal Finance, and directs the Financial Planning Academy summer camp for high school students.