WCMS Courses
This course focuses on tools and frameworks to create and sustain a high-performing organization. We will discuss research-backed practices for managing individuals and providing and receiving effective feedback. Through interactive lectures and cases students will explore how to create a culture of empowerment that allows teams to unleash their full genius and to better learn …
This course provides an introduction to management for organizational effectiveness. Students will explore research and techniques to improve communication and inspire others. By exploring the benefits and limitations of different leadership and communication styles, students will expand their ability to motivate and provide purpose for their teams.
This course introduces students to human-centered design approaches for innovative problem solving. Human-centered design (also known as design thinking) focuses on people and social contexts to solve ambiguous problems. Students will utilize fundamental concepts in design thinking, interactive design methods and processes, and hands-on projects and will learn how user research, synthesis, idea generation, and …
This course explores the possibilities, and responsibilities, of credit union leadership. How can students take the skills they have learned and WMCS and help implement better member service at their credit union? The course uses case studies from leaders and strategies in other fields to explore the role of leadership and strategy for credit union …
This course requires students to use their financial training to lead a simulated credit union through several years of economic conditions based on actual historical events. Working in teams, students are required to allocated budget priorities, generate strategic plans and adjust to the economic environment to attain their uniquely determined goals. In addition to reinforcing …
An introduction to the basic foundations of marketing theory with application to credit union management. Explores customer preferences, branding and advertising channels, and the relationship between marketing and other functions of the credit union. Students will use marketing principles to propose strategies for their credit union.
The structure and history of financial sector and credit union regulation, and the role for political advocacy. Major themes include the role of regulation in public policy, the interplay between regulation and market structure, and the role of political action in shaping regulation. Examples from credit union regulation, including compliance, political advocacy and strategies to …
An overview of Project Management theory, with examples from academic and credit union sector projects. Provides tools and techniques for project definition, goal creation, budgeting, timeline planning, risk analysis, team-building, tracking and managing the project, and project post-review and analysis. This course provides the foundation for the service-learning project portions of the WCMS curriculum. All …
The course explores the evaluation of risks and uncertainty when making decisions and identifying mitigation strategies. In addition to exploring frameworks for risk management, the course also explores the consequences of inaction—decisions still need to be made even under uncertainty. Examples are drawn from credit union case studies to help students estimate risks and design …
This course provides an overview of the key functions carried out at credit unions, including: operations, finance, human resources, marketing, and information technology. Students will explore the interplay between functional areas and assess the strengths and weaknesses of credit unions’ operational strategies. Particular emphasis will be placed on application of course tools on the student’s …