As a first-generation college student, Curtis attended UNC Charlotte to earn his Bachelor of Arts focusing on Political Science. Afterwards, he spent over a decade in financial services, providing investment guidance and education to those working in the non-profit sector. As a manager, he coaches and mentors a team of financial service consultants by applying the principles learned from earning his MBA from UNC Pembroke. Passionate about continuous improvement, he also earned his Six Sigma Green Belt certification after completing several projects aimed at improving associate culture and process enhancement. Curtis is passionate about financial literacy and the life-changing impact both education and educators have on an individual’s outcomes. For this reason, pursuing a doctoral degree has been a long-time goal. He intends to apply his professional experience to the classroom to support the next generation of leaders while continuing his efforts to further the financial literacy of those in underrepresented groups.
Curtis' research interests coalesce around socioeconomic mobility, as well as the intersectionality of race and gender for investors and advisors in the advisory services industry.