Seven Tennessee credit union professionals were among the 29 who graduated on June 19 from Southeast Management School, a comprehensive three-year professional development program.
Hosted by Southeastern Regional Credit Union School (SRCUS), Southeast Management School is designed to strengthen managerial leadership in the credit union industry. Students earn continuing education credits each year and, upon graduation, are eligible to receive the prestigious Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation as part of the program.
Here’s a look at some of their experiences.
What is the three-year program?
Jordan Barto—I think of the three-year journey like building a house. Year one was the foundation, and I remember feeling nervous and unsure of how to fully engage with the material at times.
Year two was the framing, where things started to come together and I became much more comfortable with the concepts and discussions.
By year three, the roof was being put on, and I found myself confident, knowledgeable, and able to see how all the pieces fit together across the credit union. That progression was intentional and powerful, and it shaped not only my technical understanding but also my confidence as a leader. When I reflect on the full experience, everything ties together into a clear progression of growth, supported by strong instruction, meaningful peer learning and the added perspective gained through engagement with senior leadership.
I would encourage anyone considering this program to pursue it without hesitation. The papers and assignments may feel intimidating at first, but they are manageable, rewarding and a valuable part of the learning process.
What was your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Jessica Boring—Having to write the papers was very beneficial, not fun, but beneficial, lol. Having to dig in deeper to not only understand how our credit union works but also learning all the history was very interesting.
Jessica Horton—I have worked in the credit union movement for 22 years, with the last 18 years spent at Jack Daniel Employees’ Credit Union. My experience at the Southeast Management School (SRCUS) was far more impactful than I anticipated. I particularly enjoyed the courses focused on overall credit union operations across all asset sizes, as well as the topics applicable to my professional growth as a leader.
One of my biggest takeaways was the opportunity to collaborate with peers from across the industry. Sharing ideas and hearing different perspectives made the program both engaging and inspiring. The sense of community and the friendships formed with my classmates were especially meaningful.
Jordan Barto—My biggest takeaway was that effective leadership in the credit union movement is developed through both formal learning and strong professional relationships, and that both knowledge and confidence grow significantly when those two are combined. The program was highly engaging, and the individuals who taught our classes consistently took the time to make sure concepts were clearly understood rather than just presented. That level of instruction made even complex topics more approachable and gave me a much stronger foundation to build on.
As a result, I gained concepts and frameworks that I have already begun applying in my day-to-day work. The experience also reinforced the value of ongoing engagement over the three years, including meaningful face time with individuals from the League and consistent interaction with peers across the movement. That combination of classroom learning and real-world discussion strengthened my ability to think more strategically about organizational challenges and how decisions impact multiple areas of a credit union. Overall, the program significantly built my confidence, expanded my leadership perspective, and provided tools I am actively using in my role today.
I also learned that I am not the only one who likes to go for a run before the sun is up!
Sunya Dangerfield—The lifelong connections and network of credit union professionals that I gained at the Southeastern Regional Credit Union School is my biggest takeaway from SRCUS. My CCUE designation was also a big takeaway.
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your credit union or career?
Jessica Boring—There were so many takeaways and learning experiences that can be applied daily at my credit union. Not just from the curriculum taught, but from the relationships built and the knowledge gained from other credit unions and how they do things differently.
Sunya Dangerfield—I plan to share ideas and skills that I developed with my team, CEO and Board of Directors. I will use what I learned in the different curriculums to improve our marketing program, be a better leader and support my CEO.
Jessica Horton—I plan to apply the skills developed at SRCUS to become a more effective leader within my lending department and my credit union. Specifically, I hope to implement new ideas regarding member engagement, lending strategy and strategic thinking, while being more intentional about fostering a positive organizational culture.
Jordan Barto—I plan to apply what I learned in two key ways—through the practical application of the classroom material and through continued relationship-building. From the classroom side, I plan to bring back specific tools, frameworks and leadership concepts that will help me better understand financial performance, strengthen decision-making and contribute more effectively in strategic discussions. The coursework gave me a stronger foundation that I can immediately apply in day-to-day operations and long-term planning.
At the same time, I plan to apply the leadership and collaboration lessons by being more intentional about communication, seeking input from others and leveraging the broader network built during the program. Combining these classroom takeaways with stronger relationships positions me to contribute at a higher level within my credit union and continue growing as a leader.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
Jessica Boring—The overall experience was great. Getting to meet so many others that are just as passionate about credit unions and then those “others” becoming so much like family.
Sunya Dangerfield—I enjoyed the curriculum. The well-rounded classes provided me with the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. I learned so much that I can take back to my credit union and apply.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Jessica Horton—I am truly grateful to our Board of Directors and CEO for the opportunity to participate. This program has not only strengthened my professional skills but also renewed my sense of purpose within the credit union movement. I look forward to staying connected with my fellow participants as I continue to grow in my role.
Sunya Dangerfield—It was empowering and inspiring to be among the 200 credit union leaders investing in their professional development and committing to the mission and vision of the credit union movement.
Jordan Barto—This experience was far more than earning the CCUE designation. It strengthened my confidence as a leader and expanded both my knowledge base and professional network in a meaningful way. The balance between classroom learning and peer collaboration made the experience especially impactful, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside such a strong group of credit union professionals. The individuals who taught our classes consistently took the time to ensure concepts were fully understood, which made even complex material approachable and meaningful. I have already been able to apply many of the concepts learned in class directly to my day-to-day work, which has reinforced the value of the program and helped bring the material to life in practical ways.
Save the Date
Are you interested in learning more about Southeast Management School?
Mark your calendar for the 2027 session of Southeast Management School, scheduled for June 13–18, 2027, at the University of Georgia’s Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Ga.
Learn more from the Southeastern Regional Credit Union School website, scroll to the “SE Management School” tab.
