The 2026-27 school year marks the 10th anniversary of EECU’s full-service student branch at Clovis West High School. The branch provides high school juniors and seniors enrolled in the Clovis Unified School District with real-world work experience while allowing them to earn high school and college credit. Photo via EECU

Educational Employees Credit Union is marking the 10th anniversary of its full-service student branch at Clovis West High School, a program that has provided nearly 300 students with hands-on banking experience. 

The branch opened in 2016 through Clovis Unified School District’s business and finance career technical education pathway. Juniors and seniors work alongside EECU professionals to assist members while developing customer service, finance and leadership skills. 

Over the past decade, 290 students have participated in the program. Students can also earn high school and college credit through dual enrollment with State Center Community College District.  

The program has also led to several employment opportunities for students. Eighty students have been hired for temporary paid positions with EECU, while 27 others have continued to work for the credit union after graduation.

“The Clovis West student branch represents everything we hope to achieve through community partnerships,” said EECU President and CEO Elizabeth J. Dooley. “For the past 10 years, we’ve been able to give students real-world work experience while helping them build confidence, develop professionally, and explore rewarding career opportunities.”

Clovis West Branch Manager Christy Alkire said students often enter the program looking to build workplace skills and leave with greater confidence and professional experience.

“Opening the Clovis West student branch in 2016 and watching it grow over the past 10 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” Alkire said.