Meet the Team

Gabrielle McAllaster, Ph.D. (she, her), is a scholar-practitioner and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) from Denver, Colorado. She completed her M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs in Colorado, and her Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in higher education at Rowan University. Her academic journey is complemented by a professional background spanning various facets of higher education.

As the Director for The Financial Wellness Center at the University of Utah, Dr. McAllaster brings a holistic approach to financial education and wellness. With her commitment to supporting students on their unique financial journeys, she combines her passion for financial well-being with her expertise in higher education. She strongly holds the belief that financial well-being is a fundamental component of overall well-being. As such, it is her commitment to support each of our students on their financial journey, helping them navigate the path to financial wellness. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her family and beloved dogs.

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Jerry Basford, Ph.D. (he, him) has had a passion for helping others with their finances since he was an undergraduate student at Colorado Mesa University where he volunteered in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. After graduating WITH A B.A. in Business Administration, he completed his master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Ph.D. from Walden University in Applied Management and Decision Science. 

Dr. Basford came to the University of Utah in 1998 as a Senior Finance Analyst where he worked for almost five years before moving to Student Affairs. In 2001 he started teaching FINAN 1200, a personal finance class for undergraduate students. He is still teaching that class 25 year later. He has also taught FCS 3450, a class for upper division undergraduates as well as Continuing Education classes called Finance for Non-Financial Managers and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers. 

Dr. Basford created the Financial Wellness Center on campus and led that organization for over ten years. He has a passion about helping others gain their full potential as a complete person and believes finances are an important part of a person’s wellness. 

He is currently the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Finance and Operations. Outside his professional role he enjoys fishing, reading, watching sports, and spending time with his family and affectionate dog, Iggy. 

Beth Hunsaker, M.S., CFP®, AFC® (she/her), serves as one of the Associate Directors of the Financial Wellness Center, where she combines technical expertise and overall financial wellbeing. Since earning her graduate degree from the University of Utah and beginning her teaching career in 2005, Beth has helped students and her clients build healthy financial habits that support their broader life goals. She is both a Certified Financial Planner® professional and an Accredited Financial Counselor® and regularly presents on financial wellness at state and national conferences.

Beth views financial wellness as inseparable from emotional, social, and physical wellness and encourages others to make financial choices that align with who they are and what they value. 

She is a proud mom of three future Utes and one spoiled dog, Jimmy, and can often be found reading, gardening or planning her next travel adventure.

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Elsa Osborne (she/her) is the Program Coordinator at the Financial Wellness Center and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®). She holds a degree in Health, Society & Policy with a minor in Sociology from the University of Utah. Elsa is passionate about providing holistic financial counseling and education tailored to the needs of college students, focusing on empowering them to manage their finances in ways that enhance their overall well-being. 

Elsa particularly enjoys helping students who may have felt like budgeting, saving, and building financial capability weren’t for them. She has experience supporting students through financial crises surrounding educational funding and basic needs. At the center, you can find Elsa leading out our events, facilitating skills groups, meeting 1:1 with students for financial counseling, and mentoring our student support and communications peer mentors. 

In her free time, Elsa enjoys practicing yoga, singing, staying active through climbing and exercise, and always seeks opportunities to learn new things. She is affiliated with the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE®), the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA), ACPA—College Student Educators International, and the American College Health Association.

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Rubi Coria (She/Her) originally from Ogden, Utah, earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Southern Utah University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Utah. She now serves as the Associate Director for the Financial Wellness Center at the University of Utah, where she enjoys helping students feel more confident and supported in their financial lives.

In her role, Rubi hopes to help students build a strong financial foundation and feel confident throughout their college experience. As an underrepresented student herself, she understands the barriers many students face and is dedicated to creating accessible, student-centered resources that help them thrive academically, personally, and financially.

Rubi is passionate about advancing her career in Student Affairs and remains committed to advocating for underrepresented students as they navigate their higher education journeys.

Outside of work, Rubi enjoys reading, baking, crocheting, running, and relaxing with her favorite shows.

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