How Our UCU Partnership Benefits You and Saint Mary’s

Dear Saint Mary's campus community,

As Commencement approaches, I want to take a moment to recognize our valued partnership with University Credit Union (UCU). This year, UCU celebrates 75 years of service, and we are grateful to work with an organization that has such a longstanding commitment to its members and communities.

Our relationship with UCU benefits the entire College. When members of our campus community choose UCU for financial services, that support also helps strengthen Saint Mary’s.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of welcoming UCU’s new CEO, Richard Wada, to campus to see firsthand what makes Saint Mary’s special. Taking that to heart, UCU wants to make it clear that whether it is meeting the needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, or others, they are focused on meeting people where they are—with accessible financial education, thoughtful guidance, and tools that help turn goals into confident next steps.

This year, UCU has supported the Gael community in several meaningful ways:

• Three $5,000 Scholarship opportunities for student members awarded via the UCU essay competition.
• Student Financial Wellness Workshops and Financial Wellness Graduation Program. This spring, UCU is providing its third annual Financial Literacy program for graduating students—offering sessions to prepare students for post-grad life, covering topics like reviewing your first job offer and paystub, what is a 401(k), how to build credit, and the steps and costs associated with moving out on your own. There is one more workshop this spring—on May 6. Students who participate earn a lime green financial literacy cord they can wear at Commencement.
• Free Financial Coaching is available five days a week, with virtual and in-person options. All members of the SMC community are welcome to book an appointment, whether or not they are UCU members. Build a budget, review your credit score, make a plan to pay off debts, or review any other topics you wish to explore.  Scores of SMC staff, students, and alumni have benefited from this support in the past year alone.
• UCU is with the SMC community throughout the year. That includes the annual Move-in Happy Hour in Dryden Hall, which welcomes students and families to SMC on Move-in Day with free food, drink, music, a photo booth, and games. And UCU is part of Commencement celebrations as well, providing free beverages to all students, volunteers, staff, and faculty at the UCU Pavilion check-in area for both graduate and undergraduate ceremonies.

These are just a few examples of how UCU partners with Saint Mary’s.To learn more about UCU and the benefits provided to SMC members, please visit the Saint Mary’s UCU website.

I am grateful for our College’s partnership with the University Credit Union. Thank you, UCU!

Sincerely,

Roger J. Thompson, EdD
President