SNELLVILLE, Ga.–The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) has announced Dr. Michelle Nearon, the associate dean for Graduate Student Development and Diversity at Yale University, has been named dean of AACUC’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Academy for Financial Professionals.
Separately, the AACUC has also announced the establishment of the AACUC Texas Regional Chapter.
The DEI Leadership Academy for Financial Professionals will invite financial professionals and industry partners to commit to change through further illuminating diversity, equity and inclusion, the organization said.
“We are excited to have Dr. Nearon as our dean for AACUC’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Academy for Financial Professionals,” said President and CEO Renee Sattiewhite. “Her experience in both teaching and administration makes her a perfect fit for our team. I look forward to working with Dr. Nearon to help expand our DEI footprint and social impact."
Nearon is the past immediate board chair for Bethpage Federal Credit Union in New York, the first female to serve in this position. Nearon joined Yale University in July 2008 as assistant dean and director of the Office for Diversity and Equal Opportunity in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In June 2015 she was promoted to associate dean for Graduate Student Development and Diversity.
‘A Strategic Vision’
Nearon is a member of the Yale Board of University Health and serves as chair for the Graduate School’s Climate and Inclusion Committee.
“She provides the strategic vision and leadership to build and maintain a supportive campus community where graduate students from diverse backgrounds and experiences are supported in their intellectual, social, and professional pursuits,” the AACUC said.
Nearon received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brooklyn Polytechnic University, respectively. She earned her Ph.D. from Stony Brook.
New AACUC Chapter in Texas
Separately, the AACUC has announced the establishment of the AACUC Texas Regional Chapter. The Texas Regional Chapter, formerly under the Southern Regional Chapter, will further spread the message of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to the 425 credit unions based in Texas, including 225 low-income designation credit unions and 18 community development financial institution (CDFI) credit unions, the AACUC said.
“Since its founding in 2018, the Southern Regional Chapter has done an amazing job raising awareness of our mission and our commitment to change,” said Sattiewhite. “Texas is home to hundreds of credit unions serving diverse populations. Our board recognized the need to form a standalone chapter that would serve as a resource to those credit unions, as they serve their members.”
According to the AACUC, the purpose of the Texas Regional Chapter is to provide networking, community involvement and professional development opportunities for member base and to act as an agent on behalf of the national association to recruit new members who will help to increase the global credit union’s movement strength by adding the focused perspective and energy of credit union volunteers and professionals of African-American and African descent.
The Leadership
“I’m thrilled to lead this ambitious group of credit union voices in my home state,” said Malcolm Rene, president/CEO of Houston Metropolitan Federal Credit Union (FCU) and Texas Regional Chapter president. “I am certain that our Texas chapter will strategically build upon the work that the Southern Regional Chapter has already done to further serve the growing needs of the Texas community.”
The Texas Regional Chapter Executive Committee includes:
- Chapter President - Malcolm Rene, president/CEO of Houston Metropolitan FCU
- Chapter Vice President - Delana Bolen, VP sales and support, Cornerstone Resources
- Chapter Secretary - Tony Black, president/CEO of BCM Federal Credit Union
- Chapter Treasurer - Vashyon Jackson, AVP/branch manager, Randolph Brooks FCU
- Parliamentarian - Carolyn Jordan, SVP-remote services and member d development, Neighborhood CU
Tracey Jackson, AACUC board treasurer, is the board sponsor for the Texas Regional Chapter.