Next Level

With a focus on teamwork, shared goals and hard work, Marcus English rose from Member Service Representative to Vice President of eBranch at the University of Michigan Credit Union (UMCU) in just five years.

As Vice President of eBranch, English is focused on leading the UMCU contact center, payments and eservices teams while fostering a great member experience. Seeking to boost his business acumen, and strengthen his management and leadership skills, English enrolled in the Oakland University Executive MBA program.

“I’m striving to leave a lasting impact in my organization, develop future leaders, and create a memorable experience for the teams and community that we serve,” English says.

The OU EMBA curriculum, infused with broad business perspective, innovative leadership concepts and access to experts, empowers English with the tools he needs to lead his team to the next level. The EMBA lessons complement the skills English cultivated as a student-athlete earning a marketing degree at Eastern Michigan University.

A football player throughout high school and college, English’s original goal was to pursue a professional career in the NFL. After realizing he wouldn’t play at that level, he shifted his energy to his business future.

Pursuing his EMBA is one of the ways English lives the advice he shares with student-athletics today. “Commit 100 percent, but don’t trap yourself in a box; prepare yourself academically and professionally,” he advises.

As an athlete, honors student and business professional, English has witnessed how resiliency drives success. “Pushing through a difficult play, class or entire season taught me how to be resilient, and how to learn from both successes and failures,” he says.

“My experience as an athlete made the transition of working on a team in a professional environment easy,” English says. “As an athlete, we were individuals working together for a shared goal and the same applies to working on a team in a work environment.”

That’s the perspective English brings to his UMCU team as well as members of his EMBA cohort. In the OU EMBA program, students learn alongside experienced colleagues whose diverse professional and personal backgrounds add valuable insight in classroom discussions and projects.

Enrolling in the 21-month all-inclusive alternating weekend EMBA program meant English could advance his professional skills while delivering on his commitment to UMCU and balancing his personal life that includes his wife and two daughters.

About the EMBA at Oakland University
Designed for working professionals in or aspiring to leadership roles, the Executive MBA at Oakland University boosts your career momentum while allowing you to maintain your life. With a laser focus on essential business concepts and global perspective combined with proven leadership courses, the rigorous curriculum includes topical issues, C-suite presentations and professional development components. The fully inclusive 21-month program meets Friday afternoons and Saturdays on alternate weekends. Learn more at oakland.edu/emba.