Educator Spotlight: Ellis Cropper Shows His Passion for Inspiring Financial Freedom Among Massachusetts Residents
Originally hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, today retired Army Major Ellis Cropper, ChFC®, CLTC® is bringing his passion for financial wellness education and advocacy to communities across Massachusetts and beyond. He set down roots in Massachusetts after attending Worcester State University in Worcester, MA, where he earned a BS in Biology with concentrations in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Now he is working toward his MBA at Nichols College in Dudley, MA and pursuing his Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) credentials through the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC).
Ellis Cropper served 34 years in the U.S. Army, 22 of those years in active service and the remaining 12 split between the National Guard and as an officer in the Army Reserves. He also brought his substantial expertise to bear as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Widener and Villanova Universities. A Registered Representative for New York Life Insurance since 2018, Ellis is committed to helping individuals and business owners create, build, and preserve wealth.
Widespread Education, Collaboration, and Advocacy
As Founding Member of the Massachusetts Financial Educators Council – the state-level branch of the NFEC – Ellis Cropper contributes to the financial wellness movement in multiple, high-profile ways. He teaches financial education classes to third, fourth, and fifth graders in the Worcester Public Schools, with a plan to bring age-appropriate courses to middle and high school students in the near future. He builds partnerships with community organizations and corporations to sponsor resources and training for all age groups around the state.
Underscoring his advocacy efforts, Ellis Cropper has donated complimentary financial education resources and support to 82 community organizations and nonprofits around Massachusetts to date. The goal is to help his fellow citizens meet the unique financial challenges they face. Leading the drive to bring financial wellness to Massachusetts communities demonstrates Ellis Cropper’s dedication to promoting financial freedom and equity.
Cropper remains active as an alumnus of his alma mater, with a long-term goal to help Worcester State offer scholarships to college students who are studying for careers in the financial services sector. He also volunteers for local charities and entertains retirement community residents with his vocal talent.
Ellis Cropper at Vernon Hill Elementary school, where he teaches 3rd-5th grade students financial education.
Ellis Cropper, graduate speaker at the 2024 Nichols College Commencement Ceremony and his passion for financial literacy and helping others.
Ellis Cropper, graduate speaker at the 2024 Nichols College Commencement Ceremony
National Financial Literacy Test Sponsorship
Ellis Cropper sponsors the annual National Financial Literacy Test across Massachusetts. This 30-question test was developed by the NFEC and is designed to assess people’s core capabilities across 10 key financial wellness and knowledge measures. Cropper encourages as many Massachusetts residents as possible to participate, so the data gathered paint an accurate picture of the need for financial education in the state and how to make resources widely available for maximum benefit.
Test questions measure knowledge about budgeting and savings, income and taxes, compounding interest, risk management, investment strategies, credit choices, jobs and careers, and more. Community organizations and schools alike can use the test data to bring financial wellness resources to Massachusettsans and ensure that they comply with the state’s public school standards for financial education. Through Cropper’s support, the test is offered complimentary to state residents of all ages. After completing the measure, participants learn their results immediately so they can improve on what they already know.
The NFEC uses the results of the National Financial Literacy Test to characterize how each state compares with the rest of the country in financial wellness knowledge. Thanks to Ellis Cropper’s efforts, the latest Massachusetts results were released in early 2024. Among the 1,462 Massachusetts teens aged 15-18 who participated, 56.98% earned a passing score of 70% or higher; and the average score among these youth was 67.83% (just short of passing). For comparison, the nationwide average for this age group (among 52,572 participants to date) is 64.04%, placing Massachusetts teens almost 4 percentage points higher than the rest of the U.S.
Promoting Massachusetts Financial Educators Day Awards
Ellis Cropper also spearheads the yearly Financial Educators Day Awards around the Bay State by encouraging residents to nominate excellent financial educators who deserve this honor. With a firm belief that an individual’s true freedom comes with financial freedom, Ellis knows that financial educators have potential to make a profound difference in people’s lives. Financial education is critical to help people modify their behaviors in such a way that they become free to work toward positive societal change.
Cropper calls on all Massachusettsans who have benefited from the influence of a distinguished financial educator to nominate those educators for the annual award. Financial Educators Day Awards are presented in conjunction with National Financial Educators Day, observed the last Friday of April each year.
Ellis Cropper with Principal Craig Dottin at Vernon Hill Elementary school, where he teaches financial literacy to 3rd – 5th grade students.
Ellis Cropper served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, followed by 12 more split between the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves.
Ellis Cropper with Countrybank staff. Ellis volunteers with the Countrybank Credit for Life Program, which is a financial-literacy program held a Massachusetts public schools.
True Community Championship
Ellis Cropper is a true champion of the financial wellness movement. He is driven by a philosophy of “teach first” – in other words, people have to get their personal finances in order first, and then they become free to make choices that guide them on a positive life trajectory. Cropper has a larger vision to give families from low socio-economic communities the opportunity to achieve financial freedom.
Right: Nichols College awarded Ellis Cropper the Bison Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in the graduate program. The award is given to a select group of senior students that have made an impact through their leadership and involvement in the community. Bottom Left: Ellis teaching a financial education class for kids at Hill Elementary School. Bottom Right: Ellis Cropper makes kids career planning fun at his local church.
