Mazuma Credit Union named Inaugural Kansas City Champion for the CAPS Network
Mazuma Credit Union is proud to announce its partnership as an inaugural Kansas City Champion for the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) Network Council of Champions. Preparation for today’s workforce often begins in high school with the introduction of career and technical education (CTE) or profession-based learning programs. These programs help address skills gaps in the U.S. workforce, making them more critical than ever.
The CAPS Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on paving the education-to-employment path through profession-based learning. As a Kansas City area champion, Mazuma comes together with other area champions across different industries to help further the CAPS Network’s work. This includes creating more connections for students, helping them develop skills and an understanding of profession-based learning, as well as proactively creating solutions to drive opportunities for the future workforce.
“We are delighted to welcome Mazuma Credit Union as our inaugural Kansas City Champion for the CAPS Network Council of Champions,” said Corey E. Mohn, President and Executive Director of CAPS Network. “Deonne Christensen and her Team exhibit the values we seek in a partner, most notably a deep and abiding commitment to build and strengthen the community they serve. We look forward to uniting our Kansas City-area affiliate programs with Mazuma at our side, driving more authentic, profession-based learning experiences for high school students.”
As the inaugural Kansas City Champion, Mazuma will play a pivotal role in coordinating CAPS programs across the metro. It will also work with other CAPS Champions to share best practices, generate new ideas for expanding profession-based learning, and provide value for students and educators.
“We know that profession-based learning is the highest form of experiential learning, which is why Mazuma is thrilled about our partnership with the CAPS Network,” said Deonne Christensen, President and CEO of Mazuma. “In addition to working with the other Champions, we will provide community spaces for engaging in key discussions, as well as provide mentorship opportunities for students across the Credit Union. It’s the perfect expansion of our current work with CAPS and drives home our purpose of making Kansas City a better place to live, work and bank.”
For the past several years, Mazuma has partnered with CAPS providing internship opportunities to students. In addition, annually Mazuma hosts high school juniors and seniors from across the Kansas City Metro Area for a day of innovation at the first-of-its-kind event, CUDisrupt. At CUDisrupt, CAPS students network and solve real-world business needs focused on the future of banking. This collaborative, shark tank style competition awards $5,000 in scholarships to the winning teams.
“Through our work with CAPS, Mazuma has gained a new perspective on the opportunities and needs Gen Z faces in banking,” said Brad Rein, Chief Information Officer at Mazuma. “As a Kansas City Champion, we will continue to expand and provide access to the resources students need to prepare for their future.”