Making every opportunity count: Keanu Kawata’s UK Invests story
Throughout the fall semester, UKNow will spotlight University of Kentucky students who are putting UK Invests lessons into practice and building the knowledge and habits they need for a successful financial future.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2026) — Have you ever thought about the power of an opportunity?
We’re presented with numerous opportunities throughout our lifetime — some big, some small. But all it takes is one, the right one, to change your life.
For Keanu Kawata, a sophomore from Louisville majoring in accounting and finance in the Gatton College of Business and Economics and a student in Lewis Honors College, that opportunity is about more than earning a degree. It’s about gaining the knowledge and confidence to build a financially secure and successful future.
“I’m most excited about building long-term financial independence,” he said. “I want to continue investing in my future and building a portfolio that can grow as I move through life.”
Through the UK Invests program, Kawata is learning how to make smart financial decisions today — and laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
Launched in 2022, UK Invests helps students become healthier, wealthier and wiser by building a foundation of financial education and healthy habits. Through the program, students complete online financial literacy modules, open brokerage accounts and earn funds from the university by engaging in activities that promote success — from attending financial education sessions to building career skills, participating on campus and prioritizing physical and mental health.
Since its launch less than four years ago, more than 18,000 students have opened investment accounts — earning nearly $3 million in university-funded rewards. Collectively, student investments are projected to exceed $9 million at the next quarterly update at the end of the month.
The program’s growing reach will also be showcased this fall through a new partnership with UK Athletics. This season the UK Invests logo is featured on Kentucky Football jerseys as the team’s Official Jersey Patch Partner. The partnership will help introduce more students, families and fans to the program and highlight the ways UK Invests is helping students build financial confidence and prepare for their futures.
UK Invests was initially implemented in phases, beginning in Fall 2022 with UK student-athletes who deposited their NCAA Alston Awards earnings into UK Invests brokerage accounts after completing financial education programs. UK Invests then expanded to the full undergraduate, graduate and professional student body population in Fall 2023 and has quickly become one of UK’s most successful student initiatives to-date.
In this UK Invests student spotlight, Kawata shares how the program has shaped his experience at UK and has helped him invest in his future.
UKNow: What interested you in joining UK Invests?
Kawata: I was interested in joining UK Invests, because I wanted to build toward my financial future, while staying actively engaged in the UK community and developing healthy habits. As a finance student, I understand the importance of starting to invest early, and UK Invests gave me an opportunity to earn and save for my future while encouraging me to stay involved on campus and make healthy choices.
UKNow: Before participating in UK Invests, what did you know about investing or financial wellness?
Kawata: I already had a strong understanding of investing and financial wellness through my previous experience and my studies as a finance student. I understood the importance of investing early, saving for the future and making informed financial decisions. However, one of the things I appreciated most about UK Invests was the opportunity to help students who may not have had the same background or exposure to financial topics. The program provides an accessible way for students to learn about investing and develop healthy financial habits — regardless of their prior experience.
UKNow: What is the most valuable lesson or skill you’ve gained through the program?
Kawata: The most valuable lesson I’ve gained through UK Invests is the importance of making financial concepts simple and accessible. Even though I already had experience with investing, the program showed me how valuable it is to break down these concepts in a way that students with little or no prior knowledge can understand. I enjoyed seeing how making investing and financial wellness more approachable could help other students become more confident and knowledgeable about their financial futures.
UKNow: How has participating in UK Invests influenced your experience as a UK student?
Kawata: Participating in UK Invests has made my overall experience as a UK student more enjoyable and engaging. The program encouraged me to get more involved on campus, attend events and meet new people that I may not have otherwise met. It gave me more opportunities to connect with the UK community, while making campus life feel more welcoming, easier — and more fun. Beyond the financial benefits, I’ve really enjoyed the sense of involvement and connection that UK Invests has created.
UKNow: What advice would you give other students who are considering joining UK Invests?
Kawata: I would encourage students to join even if they feel like they don’t know much about investing. You don’t need to be an expert. The program is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions and develop skills that can benefit you long after college. The more comfortable you become with financial concepts, the more confident you can be in making decisions about your future. And better yet, students can get free money. The only downside to UK Invests is not doing it at all.
UKNow: What financial goal are you most excited about working toward in the future?
Kawata: I’m most excited about building long-term financial independence. I want to continue investing in my future and building a portfolio that can grow as I move through my life. UK Invests is a great way to start investing in your future. And the earlier you start — the better. I’m excited to see how my account continues to grow.
UKNow: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Kawata: I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved with UK Invests. I’m also a MoneyCAT and work in the UK Financial Wellness Office in the Office for Student Success, so financial wellness is something I’m passionate about and enjoy helping other students learn more about. Being involved in both UK Invests and the Financial Wellness Office has given me the opportunity to help make financial education more accessible to students and encourage them to build healthy financial habits.
Here’s a reminder on how UK Invests works:
- Students can create a brokerage account and learn about financial wellness through iGrad (a leading financial education provider).
- Students can earn money by practicing and participating in healthy behaviors and habits — beginning with financial education and expanding to building employability skills, getting involved on campus and prioritizing physical and mental wellness.
- As part of this initiative, the university is working with Fidelity Investments to ensure students are empowered to make deposits in their future investment opportunities that can help them reap a lifetime of benefits for themselves, their families and their communities.
UK Invests is available to all undergraduate, graduate and professional students — helping participants build financial knowledge, strengthen healthy habits and invest in their future.
To learn more about the program and how to get started, visit ukinvests.uky.edu.
At the University of Kentucky, students are at the center of all that we do. From the moment you become a Wildcat through graduation and beyond, the Office for Student Success is committed to supporting you. Comprised of more than 40 units, the office is united by one vision — to help students live a life of meaning and purpose. Student Success designs and delivers unparalleled services and supports a community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success, this is what we do — this is who we are. Explore Student Success resources.