The Nonprofit Management master’s degree program recently held their second annual Open House for current and prospective students, faculty, alumni, and the wider Columbia community. Academic Director Cindy M. Lott, Esq., kicked off the event by officially announcing the launch of the online-only option for students, starting with students matriculating in Fall 2019. Dean Jason Wingard gave a keynote speech, touching on the real-world applicability of the program’s cutting-edge interdisciplinary and management courses. Other speakers included faculty member Erwin de Leon, Ph.D., faculty member Marcia Stepanek, as well as students and alumni of the program.
More than 200 guests were present at the event, which took place at Columbia University’s Faculty House.
As the nonprofit sector becomes increasingly globalized, SPS is committed to developing leaders who will meet the demands of civil society. Speakers highlighted that the unique draw to this program over other nonprofit programs is the strength of the curriculum, which remains rooted in the relevant needs of the market. Student work engages both structural and managerial skill sets required by the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, as well as specific substantive and policy issues fundamental to globalized societies: immigration, conservation, policy and advocacy, and the increasing demand to operate competitive, data-driven nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit Management students premiered two new videos, Student Stories and I’d Like to Change the World By…, which garnered enthusiastic receptions from the audience.
Student Stories features current students as they describe their journey in nonprofits and their post-graduation goals.
“It’s an opportunity for me learn among a diverse group of people that serve in the sector, who want to make change, and that are impact-driven,” said Jayson Council ‘18. “I know people in this class are going to change the world, and I’m going to be one of them,” added MeganCandio ‘18.
In I’d Like to Change the World, students share their top motivation for pursuing excellence in the nonprofit field.
