Courses Taught By UVA Alumni
LASE 2559: Personal Finance
Instructor |
Credits |
Dates |
Time |
Instruction Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Thomas Henske |
3.0 |
May 18 - June 12 (Session 1) |
10:30 am - 12:45 pm |
In Person |
Tom Henske
UVA alumnus and TEDx speaker Tom Henske brings nearly three decades of experience from the financial services industry, where he advised individuals and families on managing wealth and navigating major financial decisions. He founded the financial education platform Total Cents and has worked with UVA Athletics as a financial coach for the men’s basketball and softball programs, helping student-athletes prepare for the financial realities that can come with sudden income and new opportunities. While a student at UVA, Tom was a member of the men’s soccer program during one of the most successful eras in its history, winning three national championships.
In this course, students will explore the real financial decisions they will face as they transition into adulthood. Topics include earning, saving, investing, taxes, insurance, housing, transportation, and major life purchases. Rather than focusing only on theory, the class emphasizes practical frameworks students can use to make smart financial decisions in the real world. Through discussions, real-world case studies, and practical frameworks, students will examine the relationship between their values and how they earn, save, donate, invest, and spend money. The goal is simple: to ensure that when financial opportunities arrive, students are prepared to handle them with confidence.
ETP 2559: From Hemings to Holland: African American French-Trained Chefs with Roots in Virginia
Instructor |
Credits |
Dates |
Time |
Instruction Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.0 |
June 15 - 27, 2026 (Session 2); no class on June 19 (Juneteenth holiday); class in session on Saturday, June 27 |
10:00 am - 2:45 pm |
In Person |
Chef Tanya Holland
Acclaimed for her inventive take on modern soul food, as well as comfort classics, Tanya Holland is the author of California Soul, The Brown Sugar Kitchen Cookbook and New Soul Cooking. She was the Executive Chef/Owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, CA, and competed on the 15th season of Top Chef on Bravo. Photo credit: Smeeta Mahanti
ETP 2559 From Hemings to Holland is a ten-day, three-credit Summer Session 2026 course exploring the evolution of Virginia foodways through the contributions of African American French-trained chefs. Beginning with James Hemings, the French-trained chef at Monticello, and culminating in the contemporary work of Chef Tanya Holland, this course examines how African American culinary knowledge shaped American gastronomy, how French culinary techniques were adapted in Virginia, and how these legacies inform today’s movements in sustainable cuisine and winegrowing. Drawing on Chef Holland’s professional expertise as a nationally recognized chef, author, and restaurateur—and her experience as a University of Virginia alumna—the course integrates culinary history, environmental thought, Virginia wine culture, and sustainable agriculture. Students will engage in seminars, tastings, behind-the-scenes tours at Monticello and King Family Vineyards, and hands-on cooking in UVA’s teaching kitchen, with opportunities for interaction with regional food-system partners.