At Northmont High School in Ohio, DECA Advisor Eric Wagner is giving his students more than classroom lessons - he’s providing real-world financial and leadership experiences through the chapter’s student-run credit union.
The credit union launched in 2011 in partnership with CODE Credit Union. CODE was a longtime sponsor of Northmont athletics and was looking for other ways to get involved with the school. Thanks to a grant from the Ohio Credit Union League, CODE approached the school with the idea of a student-run credit union.
What began as a simple classroom project with pencil-and-paper transactions now operates with its own window on campus, using the same financial software as the local branch. Students manage everything from deposits and withdrawals to balancing drawers at the end of the day, while Mr. Wagner’s only role is unlocking the safe and logging in the system each morning.
The hiring process itself prepares students for their future. Applicants interview with CODE Credit Union representatives, experiencing a professional hiring process before they are selected. Once hired, members undergo training with credit union staff and take on responsibilities ranging from teller transactions to marketing and customer service. Leadership roles are distributed across sophomores, juniors, and seniors to ensure sustainability and peer mentoring.
The impact goes well beyond DECA members. The credit union provides the entire student body with financial literacy opportunities and a safe place to learn about banking. For example, many of the chapter’s regular customers are students in special education who receive paychecks through school programs. Having the credit union inside the building allows them to gain confidence in managing their money in a supportive environment.
The partnership with CODE Credit Union also extends into the community. Representatives serve as judges at DECA competitions, sponsor school events, and collaborate on the chapter’s annual Financial Literacy Project. Students are even invited to chamber of commerce events to network with local business leaders, further expanding their horizons.
For Mr. Wagner, the most rewarding part of the program is watching students grow personally and professionally. “CODE provides us so much more than just a credit union,” he explains. “This 15-year partnership has become one of our strongest, and it’s been a game-changer for our students and community.”
Through his leadership, Eric Wagner has built a chapter program where students don’t just learn about financial literacy—they live it, preparing them for success in college, careers, and beyond.
Thank you to Thomas Griffin for nominating Mr. Wagner. If you know of an advisor with an innovative best practice, please nominate him or her for our next spotlight!
