From first-generation student to bank President, Scott Page credits Anderson for shaping his leadership

Scott Page didn't plan on a career in banking - but leadership, adaptability and strategy ultimately led him there.

Today, Page serves as regional president of Busey Bank, based in Champaign, Illinois. His path to executive leadership, however, began in Albuquerque, where his parents immigrated from England after World War II and emphasized education despite having no formal degrees themselves.

"My dad was very clear," Page said. "I wanted to go work for him, and he said, 'No, you're going to college.' It was the best decision he ever made for me."

A first-generation American and college student, Page earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management in 1980 and returned to complete his MBA in marketing in 1983. He credits Anderson with challenging him academically for the first time and reshaping how he thought about business.

"I really didn't know how to think strategically - from a finance or accounting perspective," Page said. "It was hard. I had to completely readjust my thinking. Once I figured it out, I started doing really well."

Graduate school brought even greater demands. Page was one of the youngest students in his MBA cohort and was commuting from Santa Fe while juggling work and family responsibilities. Many of his classmates were seasoned professionals, including scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

"I learned a lot from my classmates," he said. "You learn how people make decisions, how to speak up and how to collaborate."

That collaborative environment played a critical role in shaping Page's leadership style. Group projects, discussions and exposure to diverse perspectives helped him identify what effective leadership looked like and what it didn't.

A defining moment came during his final semester, when Page moved to Denver for a management role but continued commuting back to Albuquerque to finish his MBA. One professor offered him an alternative path to complete his degree: a six-credit strategic planning project for the bank where Page was working.

"That was my first real exposure to strategic thinking," Page said. "From that point on, strategy and culture became my calling cards."

At 25, Page stepped into his first significant management role, leading a team of employees twice his age.

"It was a challenge," he said. "I had to prove myself quickly and earn trust. That experience taught me humility."

Over the next two decades, Page advanced through progressively larger leadership roles, eventually overseeing regional banking operations across multiple states. Despite the industry's rapid evolution, he says adaptability and communication remain essential.

"If you have a strong but flexible strategy, it's much easier to grow," Page said.

Early in his career, Page worked alongside graduates from Ivy League and nationally recognized universities. He said Anderson prepared him to compete and his work ethic set him apart.

"I held my own," he said. "I didn't come in with a high-and-mighty attitude. That made me relatable."

That grounded approach has defined Page's leadership philosophy and personal brand, a topic he emphasized when he served as Anderson's commencement speaker in 2018.

"You get one chance to build your personal brand," Page said. "Your relationships and reputation are your intellectual property."

For current business students, Page offers simple advice: pursue internships, stay humble and focus on communication.

"Leadership is about people skills," he said. "You've got to be real. People want to follow a real person."

Looking back, Page sees Anderson as foundational to his success.

"A lot of who I am started forming at UNM," he said. "No one goes into banking on purpose, but it can turn into a great career if you do it the right way."