LAWTON — In an effort to create a skilled and trained workforce pipeline for banks, credit unions and other financial institutions in southwest Oklahoma, the Cameron University Banking Institute (CUBI) has been created.
CUBI has established a Certificate in Banking and Finance that is available to current bank/credit union employees who are seeking additional education to advance their career. The certificate program is also available to CU students who plan to join the financial industry upon degree completion.
CUBI’s Certificate in Banking and Finance is a combination of five business courses totaling 15 credit hours that provide targeted skills and knowledge to meet a workforce need.
Four of the classes – Principles of Financial Accounting, Principles of Cost/Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, and Principles of Finance and Money and Banking – are offered online.
Microeconomics is offered as a hybrid course this fall. It will meet face-to-face each Wednesday, with the balance of coursework taken and completed online. Money and Banking is offered during the spring semester; the other four courses are offered both spring and fall.
In addition to offering the Certificate in Banking and Finance, CUBI offers financial professionals numerous opportunities to participate in the program. Additional opportunities include mentorships, job shadowing, internships, and participation in financial conferences.
“CU Banking Institute has allowed the Department of Business to partner with financial institutions in southwest Oklahoma to promote economic growth and workforce development,” said Dr. Krystal Brue, who chairs the CU Department of Business and is assistant dean for outreach.
“We invite banking professionals to interact with our students by visiting CU classes to discuss industry opportunities, career advancement pathways and more. Additionally, we are seeking job-shadowing, internship and/or mentoring experiences for our students interested in financial careers, to give our students greater exposure with local employers.”
Paul Ellwanger, retired executive vice president at City National Bank, serves as CUBI’s industry lead and notes how local banks and credit unions, banking employees, and CU business students benefit from the partnership between Cameron University and our local financial industries. “Our goal is to create a strong pipeline of financial professionals and educate the next generation of talent in our community,” Ellwanger said.
“As we develop the CUBI further, we want to hear from banking and finance professionals regarding the skills, abilities and knowledge they look for in employees,” said Brue. “The best way for Cameron University to meet current and future workforce needs is to respond to the input we receive from financial professionals.”
Banking professionals wanting more information about the benefits of the Certificate in Banking and Finance and/or who would like to offer industry expertise can contact the CU Department of Business at (580) 581-2842 or business@cameron.edu. The department also can provide additional information regarding course requirements or enrollment to the certificate program.