Virginia Solis Zuiker

Virginia Solis Zuiker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. She joined the faculty in 1996 and specializes in family financial issues, college student financial management, and the economic well-being of diverse families, particularly Latino/a communities and family businesses. Her research bridges family dynamics, financial education, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on marginalized populations.

Dr. Zuiker holds a PhD from The Ohio State University, an MS from Texas Tech University, and a BS from the University of North Texas. She is a supervising faculty for the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) program and has led efforts to make the Family Social Science undergraduate program one of the first nationally accredited by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®.

Her research explores financial socialization of college students, racial/ethnic disparities in financial acumen, and challenges faced by family-owned businesses. Key projects include the 'Economic Well-being of Diverse Families' and 'Family Businesses and the Self-Employed' (housed at Montana State University). She also investigates delivery methods for financial education and best practices for counselors working with clients of color.

Zuiker has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2025 CEHD Distinguished Teaching Award and the 2024 Mary Ellen Edmondson Educator of the Year Award. Her book Hispanic Self-Employment in the Southwest: Rising Above the Threshold of Poverty examines entrepreneurial pathways for Mexican immigrants.

She teaches courses such as 'Personal and Family Finance' and 'Family Financial Counseling,' and advises PhD and undergraduate students. Her work emphasizes practical applications, including curriculum development and policy advocacy to enhance financial stability for underserved populations.