Alvernia launches Banking and Financial Services Academy

New industry-led academy prepares emerging leaders to meet rising demand in commercial banking, lending and financial services

Alvernia University launches the Banking and Financial Services Academy, a two-year, cohort-based professional program designed with regional banking executives to build the next generation of banking and financial services leaders. Offered through Alvernia's Academies, the program blends executive mentorship, case-based learning and an applied capstone that advances each participating institution's growth goals.

"Alvernia University's academy model aligns educational innovation with workforce demands, meeting employers where they are and supporting learners in the ways they learn best," said Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "With flexible delivery, stackable learning and an applied project that drives measurable value for our partners, the Banking and Financial Services Academy reflects the university's commitment to innovation and a culture of care for working professionals and their organizations."

Built by banking leaders for banking leaders, the academy is guided by an advisory and steering committee representing Fulton Financial Corp., Customers Bank, Tompkins Community Bank and Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors. Senior executives from Customers Bank, Visions Federal Credit Union, Orrstown Bank, and Alvernia serve as content curators and mentors.

"As a banking executive and Alvernia trustee, I support this academy because it's shaping the kind of ethical, relationship-focused leaders our industry needs, while upskilling their fundamental banking knowledge and developing the financial services leaders of tomorrow," said Tompkins Community Bank PA President Ginger Kunkel. "We're proud to invest in our people so they can lead with purpose and deliver excellence to every client."

Participants complete a 24-month sequence focused on: emotional intelligence and leadership development; relationship and sales mastery; commercial banking and corporate responsibility; and compliance and governance. The learning model combines in-person intensives, online modules and cohort collaboration and features keynote perspectives from the Federal Reserve, banking leadership from around the country, as well as industry investment experts.

"The future of banking depends on how well we prepare our next generation of leaders-today," said Customers Bank Executive Vice President, Head of Middle Market & Community Banking, Tim Romig. "As experienced executives move toward retirement, we're focused on upskilling and mentoring emerging talent to ensure our industry continues to thrive on growth, trust, and sound leadership. This program is a powerful step in that direction."

Program structure and investment:

• Length: 24 months (meeting 2x per month year 1 and 6x per year Year 2)
• $20,000 total ($10,000 per year) per participating institution for up to 3 emerging leaders
• Executive mentorship from senior banking leaders
• Exposure to some of the most forward thinking industry leaders and financial services concepts including AI and Relationship Cultivation skills
• Earned credits towards Alvernia MBA
• Applied capstone that advances a defined growth objective for each participating financial institution

Return on investment for institutions and participants includes future-ready leadership pipelines, stronger relationship and sales outcomes, and completion of an institution-specific growth project. The academy complements Alvernia's expanding portfolio of industry-aligned academies and workforce partnerships.The Banking and Financial Services Academy is open to financial institutions seeking to upskill emerging and mid-level leaders across commercial lending, treasury, credit, operations and relationship management. Organizations and prospective participants can learn more, request an information session or begin enrollment by contacting Missy Orlando, Assistant Vice President, strategic partnerships & workforce/business development at [email protected]. or by visiting the University's academy's webpage.