SCMS Celebrates 53rd Commencement

Southwest Credit Union Management School celebrated its 53rd commencement, recognizing graduates who completed the program’s rigorous three-year course of study and are prepared to bring new insight, confidence, and leadership back to their credit unions.

Continuing a Leadership Legacy

The ceremony also marked 58 years of leadership development through SCMS. The school began as a six-year program, with its first class graduating in 1972. Since then, generations of credit union professionals have strengthened their knowledge of operations, strategy, leadership, and the cooperative principles that distinguish the movement.

This year’s graduates join that longstanding network of alumni who have gone on to lead credit unions, guide teams, serve their communities, and shape the future of the industry.

Congratulations to the Graduates

Completing SCMS represents more than an academic milestone. It reflects years of commitment, collaboration, and professional growth while balancing the demands of work and personal responsibilities.

Cornerstone congratulates the newest SCMS graduates and recognizes the credit unions, instructors, mentors, families, and colleagues who supported them throughout the program. Their achievement adds another chapter to a legacy built on investing in people and preparing leaders to move the credit union movement forward.

The SCMS Class of 2026 

Arkansas 

Clay W. Dickerson, Natural State FCU 

Kansas 

Alyssa Quintana, United Northwest FCU 

Jeff Zimmer, Farmway CU 

Louisiana 

Benjamin Manry, Pelican State CU 

Missouri 

Joel Daugherty, BluCurrent CU 

Shana Jahnke, Volt CU 

Alyssa Seely, Arsenal CU 

Kyle Christian Short, BluCurrent CU 

Mississippi 

Sonya Hodo, Statewide FCU 

Oklahoma 

Marissa Baker, CCUFC, MECU 

Laura Burdick, Tinker FCU 

Chirag Dhameja, TTCU FCU 

Christy Jeffcoat, First Family FCU 

Shelby Lightfoot, Tinker FCU 

Roseanna Rivera, WEOKIE FCU 

Shannon Robinson, First Family FCU 

Texas 

Veronica Avila, Valley FCU 

April Comeaux, BCM FCU 

Todd Cook, Raiz FCU 

Danielle Davis, Wellspring FCU 

Bryan DePriest, Red River Emp FCU 

Chelsea Fountain, Sabine FCU 

Amanda Marie Gallegos, Doches CU 

Jennifer Goodall, Community Service CU 

Krystal Hamilton, Texas Trust CU 

Shannon Harms, Gulf Coast Educators FCU 

Will Head, Members CU 

Lucy Hernandez, City FCU 

Ashly Hutson, Lufkin FCU 

Maria Elisabeth Karaca, Rally CU 

Eladio Lopez, CCUFC, Abilene Teachers FCU 

Laura Lujan, Mountain Star FCU 

Jared Daniel McCullough, CUDE, PMP, Education First FCU 

Lauren McKechnie, Texoma Community CU 

Lilly Megias, South Texas FCU 

Johnny Mejia, Irving City Emp FCU 

Amy Meska, InTouch CU 

Chris Oglesbee, InTouch CU 

Charity Nicole Puckett, Golden Triangle FCU 

Helen Puckett, FivePoint CU 

Diana Lorena Salinas, CUCE, CUDE, Border FCU 

Matthew Wayne Stiefer, Firstmark CU 

Margot Strong, Cornerstone League 

Jason Swatsenbarg, First Service CU 

Natasha Tillman, Premier America CU 

Vania Vazquez, South Texas FCU 

Nolan Waltman, First Service CU 

Travis Warzecha, Santa Fe FCU 

Gerasia J. White, Houston Police FCU 

Sadie Yetter, Wichita Falls Teachers FCU