Lori Henderson, right, branch supervisor, helps interns, from left, Jenna Hoehn, Kaitlyn Stivason and Rose Dickey at the Butler Armco Employees Credit Union in the Student Success Center on the BC3 campus.

BUTLER TWP — This school year a few Butler County Community College business students will get professional work experience without having to leave campus.

That is because the Butler Armco Employees Credit Union has opened a branch campus at the Student Success Center.

College staff, students and credit union staff gathered Tuesday to officially open the location.

“It'll do just about everything that the main office does,” said Tony Shakely, marketing manager with the credit union, who was instrumental in getting the new facility open.

Rose Dickey, Jenna Hoehn and Katie Stivason are student interns who have been training at the main branch since July. They've learned how to open accounts, answer telephones and do other office tasks.

“It helps me understand how the banking system works,” said Stivason, a sophomore accounting major.

Stivason, along with Hoehn and Dickey, who are business administration majors, agreed the experience has helped them a lot. They will work at least two days a week at the branch during the school year.

“It not only prepares them for life, but it prepares them for their career,” said Lori Henderson, who will be the branch supervisor on campus.

Having the credit union at BC3 goes hand-in-hand with a financial literacy initiative to help students better understand their finances, credit cards and loan debt. This semester the school is offering a one-credit course focusing on finances, savings and loans.

“Financial literacy has been such a focal point over the last couple of years with student loan debt,” said Rosemary Keasey, dean of business.

The branch has big screen televisions and a computer. An ATM will be installed next week.

Aside from its main office in Butler, the credit union also has a branch at VA Butler Healthcare.