SCMS Accepting First-Year Students

If you are looking to advance professionally, as well as personally, you will not want to miss this opportunity to become affiliated with a prestigious group of credit union professionals – Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS) Alumni. Of course before you can become an alumnus, you have to graduate from the three-year program. SCMS director Janine McBee says they are now accepting first-year applications for the July 8-18, 2012 session.

To ensure every students gets maximum benefit from the program, only 55 students will be admitted, so if you’re planning to register don’t delay. Complete details are available at www.scms.coop.

Doug Bedner, COO with Resource One CU will graduate from SCMS this summer. SCMS is an intense three-year program, with a curriculum built around advocacy, ALM, innovation, leadership, and strategic planning/thinking. By the end of this intense, three-year program, students will have completed a strategic business plan on their own credit unions. Although it required a great deal of sacrifice and commitment, Bedner says he has no regrets. In fact, he credits SCMS with helping to further his credit union career.

“When I started SCMS, I was the director of training at my credit union. Now I'm the COO,” he says.

“SCMS played a big part; however, I attribute most of my success to my winning smile and personality,” Bedner chuckles. “In all seriousness, SCMS has been the key!”

SCMS is recognized in the credit union movement for innovative, intense, hands-on professional development. Credit union association/league CEOs from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas collaborate together to provide direction and oversight for the school.

The program is offered at the Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth. Located five miles from the heart of downtown Fort Worth, a city that has a vibrant mix of historic character, commerce, culture and entertainment all accentuated by its warm, friendly people, TCU has a long-standing reputation for excellence in academic teaching and research.

Prospective SCMS students are urged to apply early in order to take advantage of two scholarship opportunities: the SCMS Scholarship (April 27 deadline for application) and the c2c: Connect to Collaborate Scholarship for one credit union professional under the age of 30. Scholarship information can be found online, at http://www.scms.coop/prospective_students.html.

To learn more about the school, please visit www.scms.coop. If you have any questions, please contact McBee, at (469) 385-6634 or (800) 442-5762, ext. 6634.