CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Singing the Praises of Financial Literacy
Community Service CU Rock Stars 2015

Singing the Praises of Financial Literacy

'I'm passionate about our core purpose, financial education, and telling our story.'

November 30, 2015
One Comment
Jennifer McHugh

IT’S NOT UNCOMMON for Jennifer McHugh to break into song while spreading the word about the importance of financial literacy, as well as credit unions and their role in communities.

“I try to have some fun with it,” says McHugh, director of public affairs and financial education for $1.5 billion asset Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wis.

Jennifer McHugh

Jennifer McHugh (far right) celebrates the positive contributions of a group of high school students at Royal CU. The students worked at Royal once a week during the school year.

In introducing a new program called Blue Crew for a Cause, which encourages staff members to volunteer, she sang Luke Bryan’s “High on Summertime” to an audience of more than 500 people.

“I’m passionate about our core purpose, about financial education, community involvement, and telling our story,” McHugh adds.

Before the 2014-15 school year, a high-school teacher approached McHugh and proposed that six special needs students spend a couple of hours each week working at Royal.

McHugh agreed to the idea, but worried about how to make this experience meaningful for the students and for Royal. She began each day with a short lesson on money, then assigned the students projects such as counting inventory, assembling mailings, and filling gift baskets.

On the day of a scheduled visit, McHugh was slated for an interview at a local television station about the Royal Credit Union Charity Classic run. So, she arranged for the students to accompany her to the studio, where staff gave them a tour and allowed them to deliver a mock weather forecast.

“I was scared about the project at first, but it turned out to be the best thing that happened to me all year,” McHugh says. “Do what makes you scared.”

McHugh, who sits on the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy, partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a two-year study assessing financial education. Royal, the only credit union involved in the research, operates 28 in-school branches.

The study examined whether fourth- and fifth-grade students were more likely to improve and retain their financial knowledge through classwork combined with the experience of opening and using an account at a school branch, compared with students who received only the lessons.

If teachers felt ill-equipped to deliver the lessons, a Royal employee—often McHugh—would fill in.

McHugh’s team also developed a Future U.S. Entrepreneur program for middle schoolers and created half-day financial education camps for 8- to 10-year-olds at three Royal branches.

“When you look at the root of a lot of problems at home, it’s money,” she says. “If we can reach kids with education, they’ll live happier, more successful lives.”
 

KEYWORDS Credit Union Rock Stars financial well-being

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Summer 2023

Summer 2023

Credit Union Magazine’s Summer 2023 issue highlights the lending outlook for the rest of the year, how credit unions leverage fintech companies to boost digital lending, the power of lending partnerships, common Bank Secrecy Act violations, and the shift board members must make when becoming chair.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • Debt ceiling deal has credit union implications

  • Final week to nominate a 2023 Credit Union Rock Star

  • CUNA to host free webinar on FedNow service strategy June 13

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Do you think ChatGPT will become useful for credit unions?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us