FUTURES
TO BANK ON
Banking Leaders of Tomorrow scholars meet with mentors Luke Crawford and Marla Dickinson.
New Program Trains the “Banking Leaders of Tomorrow”
By Nicholas Vlasin
A new scholarship and professional development program will nurture the next generation of banking and financial professionals. Local Kansas City banking leaders say that many in their industry are committed to broadly serving the needs of their communities, with attention to both existing customers and also the nearly six million U.S. households who, according to the FDIC, are “unbanked.” To support this commitment, the Bloch School is launching an initiative that will help future banking leaders develop the competencies needed to serve all parts of the community, including those who may have less experience with the banking and financial system.
The Bloch School’s Banking Leaders of Tomorrow program represents a collaboration between UMKC, banks and community organizations. Designed to support business students from Missouri or Kansas admitted to the Bachelor of Business Administration program with a focus on banking and finance, the scholarship provides $10,000 over four years to first-time college students, many of whom are first-generation and/or have significant financial need.
Banking Leaders of Tomorrow is backed by several Kansas City banks: Academy Bank, Arvest Bank, Bank of America, Commerce Bank, Lead Bank, nbkc bank and UMB Bank. Their involvement is not limited to financial support; they actively participate in student development through guest lectures, panel discussions and hands-on work experience opportunities — creating an informed talent pool that mirrors and serves the community.
Jocelyn Evans, Ph.D., associate dean, Henry W. Bloch Endowed Chair of Finance and director of the Banking Leaders of Tomorrow program emphasizes that the scholarship is more than just financial aid.
“These banks are not only committing their time here on campus, but they are also providing important opportunities for our students to explore their futures in banking and finance,” Evans said.
Partner banks are represented by advisory board members, some of whom also act as program mentors. One of those board members, Jorge Soberón-Hernández, serves as senior vice president and community development manager at Arvest Bank. He believes the goals of the Banking Leaders of Tomorrow program align perfectly with work already being done by his team at Arvest.
“To be successful and understand the main needs of the community in terms of banking, we need to be close to the communities so that Arvest can jump in and provide a solution,” he said. “What we’re doing is taking our mentees to see this type of work firsthand.”
As Soberón-Hernández notes, a key feature of the scholarship is its focus on bridging the gap between traditional financial institutions and underbanked communities. Students applying to the program submit an essay detailing their interest in a career in financial services and how their unique perspectives can forge banking relationships throughout the broader community.
“While most banks want to positively impact their communities and be available to traditionally underserved populations, bank employees may not fully understand the needs of all potential clients,” said Teresa Ascencio, chief administrative officer at Academy Bank and Banking Leaders of Tomorrow advisory board member. Ascensio believes this highlights why Banking Leaders of Tomorrow is valuable for the banking industry and the community.
Academy Bank CEO Paul Holewinski also serves on the UMKC Board of Trustees. Ascencio recalls that when the idea for Banking Leaders of Tomorrow was formed, she and Holewinski saw it as an opportunity to promote banking as a career path.
“These banks are not only committing their time here on campus, but they are also providing important opportunities for our students to explore their futures in banking and finance”
— Jocelyn Evans, Ph.D., Director of Banking Leaders of Tomorrow
“Great bankers are individuals who care about serving clients and their communities,” Ascencio said. “If the seeds are planted early, many college students may select a career in banking. That, in turn, can help us impact our community in positive ways.”
According to the FDIC, U.S. residents who fall under the “unbanked” category said they either don’t have enough money to meet minimum deposit requirements to have a checking account, or they simply don’t trust banks. Shawna Wright, director of talent management consulting at Commerce Bank and Banking Leaders of Tomorrow advisory board member, believes mentorship and community engagement go a long way toward helping build trust and relationships through the community.
“We believe exposure can make a difference in the way people think about and engage with banks,” Wright said. “Commerce Bank knows we’re only as strong as the communities we serve. By meaningfully engaging with our local communities, we build and sustain strong relationships. It’s central to who we are.”
The Banking Leaders of Tomorrow program also provides opportunities outside the classroom, allowing scholars to immerse themselves in the banking and finance world, where they’re able to explore a medley of possibilities for their future. Bloch alumna Kaitlyn Thompson (MSA ’24) is representing Lead Bank as a mentor and is already seeing the benefits of her work.
“The program not only helps students understand the various roles they can take on but also helps them build connections in what is a rather small community,” Thompson said. “This program has a well-rounded approach, where they’ll get to learn about opportunities, especially in Kansas City, for a career in banking.”
Four of five members of the original Banking Leaders of Tomorrow Board of Directors gather at the Bloch School.
(L-R) Teresa Ascencio, Academy Bank; Shawna Wright, Commerce Bank; Riana Maus, UMB Bank; Jorge Soberón-Hernández, Arvest Bank
Riana Maus, senior vice president and director of talent acquisition at UMB Bank, also serves on the program’s advisory board. A first-generation college student herself, she knows the challenges of navigating the professional world and discovering opportunities.
“I know the value of having a safe space to ask questions and think through your future,” Maus said. “For students who haven’t been around these environments or roles through family, these opportunities can be intimidating and difficult to navigate. There is ample career opportunity in banking, but if students never spend time around banking professionals, that can be hard to picture.”
By investing in building talent from accross our community, the Bloch School and its partners are shaping careers and contributing to efforts within the region to build inclusive prosperity.
“This is what we should be doing, helping and shaping the minds of those who are going to be leading us in the future,” Soberón-Hernández said. “I’m excited to see this cohort of students graduating and then deciding if, after the classes they took and the mentorship they have, they want to join one of the banks who guided them in Banking Leaders of Tomorrow. This is a fantastic way to shape the futures of our students.”
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