Eleven years ago, Angela MacDonald was happy and fulfilled in her Talent Growth + Performance Manager role at Lake Trust Credit Union, while raising her daughter with her husband in South Lyon. Going back to school for her MBA wasn檛 even on her radar until a representative from 天美麻豆 showed up at her workplace. Lake Trust had partnered with the school to launch an inaugural MBA Cohort.
听淭he Cleary rep asked me a few questions that got me thinking about my career and my future:
榃hat can Cleary do to make your learning experience one that will fit you?�
榃hat can we do to make school workable for you?�
楬ow can we tailor our program to fit your needs?�
淲hat school does that, I thought, and that when I decided to take a closer look at Cleary.�
MacDonald was one of 14 Lake Trust team members selected to complete their MBAs together.听
She admits she was worried about balancing school, work and family. She didn檛 want to sacrifice any of these. Her daughter was only 4, and she had a lot of responsibilities as a manager with the credit union, but her husband encouraged her to give it a go. 淗e said to me, 榦ur daughter will see what hard work means, and it will make her a better person,� and he was right. Today, she is a hard worker and a high achiever.�
Within two years, MacDonald completed an MBA in Integrated Management at Cleary. 淭he professors made learning fun,� she finds. Even though it was hard to go back to school after a 12-year absence, MacDonald worked alongside her cohort to earn her degree. 淭hey all were high achievers, and we kept each other motivated,� she notes.
Today, 11 years after earning her MBA, MacDonald has taken on even more responsibilities: she is AVP of Talent Growth & Performance for Lake Trust Credit Union and serves as President of the Cleary Alumni Association.
淐leary is my extended family,� she announces. 淲hen I was a student, everyone seemed to know me by name, I was greeted with hugs and warm welcomes, and I really felt the university was a perfect fit for me. I wouldn檛 expect this at other colleges. It was such a personalized experience.
淚 admit it wasn檛 easy. I worked all day, had dinner with my family and then hit the books.�
In looking at her career goals, MacDonald is quick to say, 淐leary has helped me to be more strategic in my thinking. My business acumen has deepened, and I am making more impactful business decisions aligned to our strategic business plan.�
When asked if she would recommend Cleary to other moms in a similar situation, MacDonald says, 淐leary is willing to work with you to help you reach your goals. During my studies, my advisor asked me how the hybrid academic model was working for me � I was taking some classes online and some on campus. She would help me adjust my schedule to make sure I was successful.�
As a member of Cleary alumni board for three terms and now president since January 2024, MacDonald is amazed at how much the university has grown and flourished in such a short time. 淭he athletics program is expanding, the school has added six new major concentrations, and our rankings continue to soar!
淟ake Trust Credit Union is very proud to be a partner with Cleary, in fact, we offer an annual scholarship to one Cleary student who demonstrates drive and commitment toward education and growing the Michigan economy. Our credit union is dedicated to investing in our community and our students who will be our future leaders.�
Lake Trust Foundation offers scholarship to Cleary
Through a partnership with Cleary, The Lake Trust Foundation offers the Michigan Impact Scholarship once a year to a deserving undergraduate or graduate Cleary student who plans to join the Michigan labor force after graduation and help support the growth of Michigan economy. It is a full-tuition scholarship. For details, visit laketrust.org/Foundation/Scholarships
If you are interested in joining the 天美麻豆 Alumni Association, email alumni@cleary.edu or visit www.cleary.edu/community/alumni-relations/
