NEWS RELEASE

ASSOCIATED CREDIT UNION

Story Contact: Courtney Vance

PR / Communications Coordinator
770-448-8200 ext. 2125
acuonline.org

ASSOCIATED CREDIT UNION PARTNERS WITH MARIETTA HIGH SCHOOL’S WORK-BASED

LEARNING PROGRAM FOR A NEW CAREER PATHWAY

(PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. — Apr. 3, 2023) – Associated Credit Union and Marietta
High School partner to create a new career pathway for students. The new career pathway at
Marietta High School’s College and Career Academy will allow students to work for Associated
Credit Union’s e-branch department as junior interactive service representatives.
This groundbreaking partnership expands the student’s finance industry knowledge by
allowing them real-world experiences. The students selected for this pathway were required to
complete an interview process and are paid wages. The students underwent rigorous training with
Associated Credit Union’s learning and development department to ensure that these new
representatives are correctly servicing the member’s needs.
“The support from ACU has been tremendous. They are a champion for our students. The
training has provided the support needed to build professionals for the future,” said Angela Sparks,
Marietta High School’s Career Advisor and Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator.
Marietta High School’s Work-Based Learning Program helps students be successful in
today’s working world. Students have the opportunity to gain a solid foundation of knowledge and
skills before they leave high school. The students involved in Associated Credit Union’s program
will assist with the daily video servicing from the member through the interactive teller machines.
These duties could range from deposits to withdrawals, and even assisting the member with
making loan payments. The interactive teller machines or ITMs are an enhanced version of an
ATM, allowing a high-tech and personalized feature of including a video screen to chat with a
representative about your account. Associated Credit Union has 23 interactive teller machines in
the metro Atlanta area, Augusta area, Dawsonville, and Carrolton. The far-reaching effect of these
machines allows the students to assist any of the over 156,000 members within the state of
Georgia using the interactive teller machine technology.
“This program is such an amazing accomplishment. We appreciate Marietta High School
for allowing ACU the space and support while serving our community. We are very excited for the
future of this program and are very proud to provide a space for students without transportation to
gain work experience and knowledge of the financial industry,” said Heiwote Tadesse, Executive
Vice President of Member Relations at Associated Credit Union.
Associated Credit Union and Marietta High School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to
celebrate this momentous partnership which included remarks from one of the two students
selected to be a junior interactive service representative; Angela Sparks; Heiwote Tadesse; and
Raj Subramanian, Business Development Specialist. The event attendees included Marietta High
School’s interim principal, Marco Holland, along with other Marietta High School faculty, local
community members, and Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce members. Attendees were able to
network following the event and view the space in which the two students work.
About the Associated Credit Union
Associated Credit Union is a $2 billion financial institution that serves more than 156,000
members at 20 locations in Georgia, including Atlanta, Augusta, Carrollton, and Dawsonville.
Associated Credit Union offers members financial products that fulfill their needs, service that
exceeds their expectations, and relationships that inspire their trust. For more information about
Associated Credit Union, visit acuonline.org or like and follow @associatedcu on Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter.
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Photo 1: Attached in email.

Photo 1 caption: Enter Text