Outdoor learning an important component of SE CUNA Management School
Not all learning at the Southeast CUNA Management School takes place in the classroom, and students recently participated in a variety of outdoor challenge activities designed to promote teamwork, self-confidence, leadership, and the expansion of their problem-solving abilities.
Second-year students took to the “high ropes” course at the UGA Challenge Course and navigated their teams through elements comprised of cables, logs and ropes, building courage and confidence throughout the day as the challenges increased in complexity. First-year students participated in the “low ropes” challenges where they used critical thinking skills and teamwork to navigate complex challenges and solve problems.
“It was amazing to watch the transformations that took place in both the individual students and the team dynamics out on the course throughout the day. We witnessed students’ self-confidence increase as they stepped out of their comfort zones and accomplished things they never would have even attempted without the encouragement of their teammates,” explained Jennifer Green, SRCUS Student Liaison. “The ropes course has been a highlight of our program for many years because students see the results – increased self-esteem, group cohesion, and leadership, just to name a few– right away. And they can easily see how these skills will transfer into their daily work back at their credit unions.”
The Southeast CUNA Management School is a three-year program for credit union leaders. The program is sponsored by the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS), and over the course of the program, students participate in lectures and class exercises covering a variety of topics including business development and communication, risk management, strategic planning, financial analysis, and leadership. Successful completion requires that students participate in courses on campus over a three-year period, development a comprehensive project, and writing and presenting a whitepaper on a relevant industry topic. Graduates of the Southeast CUNA Management School consistently continue on to top leadership positions in the credit union industry.
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About SRCUS: Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is a collaboration of eight southeastern credit union leagues, including the Carolinas Credit Union League, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, Kentucky Credit Union League, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, Louisiana Credit Union League, Mississippi Credit Union Association, Tennessee Credit Union League, and Virginia Credit Union League. Through collaboration with CUNA and Affiliates, the first SRCUS Management School was established in 1970. Since the school’s formation it has graduated over 1,100 credit union management professionals from 21 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the management school, SRCUS also hosts an annual Director’s Conference, which provides a full range of informative educational sessions about critical issues important to today’s ever-changing financial industry for credit union directors and committee members. For more information, visit www.srcus.org.