The Maj. James D. Musengo Scholarship in Financial Planning

The Maj. James D. Musengo Scholarship in Financial Planning was established in 2022 by adjunct professor, Maj. James D. Musengo, Certified Financial Planner (CFP), in recognition of his dedication to using critical thought in the classroom with a focus on student success. His vision is to educate students to be workforce ready graduates in financial planning and provide financial support to the Musengo scholars.

Since 2010, he has worked for The University of Akron’s Department of Finance. James has exemplified the epitome of professionalism using his real-world experience in his classroom teachings. He is a classroom leader and is a highly sought-after professor receiving high praise from his peers and students as he teaches investments, retirement planning and benefits, and money management.

In 1982, James received his BSBA in Finance from John Carroll University, attending JCU on a U.S. Army ROTC scholarship. He was a four-year letterman on the JCU Rifle Team. After a May 1982 graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Armored Cavalry and served from 1982-1989 on the Frontier of Freedom on the East–West German border. While stationed in Germany, he was a Cavalry Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, and Commander of an M-1 Tank Company.

In late 1989, Captain Musengo was transferred to The University of Akron, Department of Military Science, where he worked Survival Assistance during Desert Storm 1. He was awarded membership into Omicron Delta Kappa the National Leaders Honorary. After his voluntary separation from the military, he graduated from UA’s MBA program in December 1993 with a master’s degree in International Business.

In 1999, the U.S. Army recalled Major Musengo to active duty for a 9-month hostile tour of duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina. While stationed at Eagle Base, he was a liaison officer to a Muslim army group headquartered in Tuzla. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with 4th Oak Leaf Cluster for this tour of duty along with the NATO Service Ribbon. He continued his education and in 2007, he received his Financial Planning Certificate from UA. In 2008, he was awarded Certified Financial Planner status.

In his 25-year financial career, Major Musengo has worked as a private portfolio manager for the Wall Street firm of Prudential Securities and as a CFP for VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. (VFA), a member company of AIG. He has worked the past 20 years for VFA and currently manages over $150 million while teaching part-time as an adjunct professor for The University of Akron, Department of Finance. As a senior financial advisor at VFA, he continues to mentor students to be successful and independent financial professionals.

James performed community service as the treasurer for the Cleveland Heights High School Alumni Foundation from 2000-2017. On occasion he has coached UA’s Financial Planning Challenge Team. His military awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the NATO Service Ribbon, the Joint Expeditionary Force Ribbon, and a myriad of other military medals and decorations.

Maj. Musengo has one daughter, Melina, who lives in Dusseldorf, Germany.

It is Maj. Musengo’s desire to support undergraduate students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are majoring in a degree offered through the Department of Finance at The University of Akron’s College of Business. The Department of Finance Scholarship Committee will select the scholars.