cuLEAD Academy
January - September 2025
The cuLEAD Academy is a 9-month hybrid program designed with a clear focus on educating and developing our credit union leaders. The Academy elevates students through innovative courses, assignments, team engagement, and a strategic capstone project.
If you are on the pathway to Southwest Credit Union Management School, sending your leaders through cuLEAD Academy first will help fine-tune the necessary skills to rise to the rigor needed at the SCMS level. cuLEAD Academy’s curriculum aligns as a true stepping stone to the competencies taught within the SCMS classes.
Students read, analyze, and discuss one leadership book along with turning in assignments to their deans for grading in CANVAS, a higher education learning management system. Students are required to apply to the mentorship program through Cornerstone for added success and additional insights on their journey.
Successful graduation from the program requires the student to complete all graded assignments, attend all virtual and in-person sessions, and complete a team capstone project pitch to C-Suite executives. The projects and teams are carefully chosen to create a lasting impact on the industry.
Students receive education in the following areas:
- Communication
- Team Development
- History & Philosophy
- Organizational Culture
- Leadership
- Government Relations/Advocacy
- Compliance
- Lending
- Project Management
- Information Technology/Artificial Intelligence
- Human Resources
- Marketing/Business Development
General Schedule
(subject to change)
- January 15 - Virtual Meet & Greet
- February 12 - In-person Kick-off
- March 12 - Virtual
- April 9 - Virtual
- May 13 - In-person (Discount to IMPACT)
- June 11 - Virtual
- July 23 - In-person
- August 13 - Virtual
- September (TBD) - In-person Session & Graduation
Location
All Virtual sessions will be on Zoom
Four In-Person sessions will occur throughout the Cornerstone region:
- Feb - TBD (Will be located in KS or OKC)
- May - Round Rock, TX (Discounted rate to IMPACT)
- July - TBD (Will be located in KS or OKC)
- September - Dallas, TX (Discounted rate to ELEVATE Leadership Summit)
Students are responsible for their travel and hotel. Cornerstone will help secure hotel rooms at a discounted group rate.
Registration Fees
| Affiliated Member – Class A | $1350 |
| Associate Member – Class B | $1400 |
| Non-Member | $1500 |
Affiliated
Members or Class A are credit unions whose primary office is
located within Cornerstone’s 5-state region.
Associate
Members or Class B are credit unions with their principal
office outside the League area that has a branch located in the League area.
Group rate does not apply to Class B.
Non-members are credit
unions who are not part of a League or Association.
Registration Includes:
- 5 virtual sessions
- 4 in-person sessions
- 9 discussion sessions
- 1 leadership book
- All material for classes
- Diploma
- Ability to join Alumni group upon graduation
Grant Assistance
The Cornerstone Foundation is accepting grant applications for League training events based on financial need. Applications must be received by application deadlines. Please visit the Foundation’s website to view all grant applications, guidelines, and deadlines. Contact Emily Moreno, program director, 214-334-3397 or 800-953-8283.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be received in writing. Please provide a brief explanation for the cancellation and submit via email to [email protected]. Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the event are subject to a 25% administrative fee on the order total. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the event. Substitutions are accepted prior to the start of the program. Additional costs may apply. Please provide the event name, current participant name, and new participant name to [email protected].
Cornerstone League reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the event due to unforeseen circumstances. If the Academy is rescheduled to another date or modified (virtual or hybrid), your registration will automatically transfer. If the event is rescheduled or location is changed, and you are unable to attend, your fees will be refunded.