Gordon in the News: last updated 06/13/2011
by Natalie Ferjulian
Through its Center for Nonprofit Studies and Philanthropy, Gordon College now offers a certificate program in nonprofit management—the only program of its kind offered in the Council for Christian College & Universities (CCCU). The goal is to link students who have a passion to serve, with the knowledge base, management tools and necessary skills to help nonprofits succeed.
This summer marks the inaugural session for the nonprofit management program and will take place at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, May 23-July 29, 2011. It is open to all Gordon and CCCU students of all majors. Only 30 students will be selected for enrollment in the program that includes an internship and three 4-credit courses: Introduction to Nonprofits, Resource Development in Nonprofits, and Financial Management of Nonprofits. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2011.
“I know many Christian college students from all majors who are thinking about how they can have an impact through nonprofit work,” says Casey Cooper, assistant professor of economics and business. “So we started by asking ‘Why not equip them for success in what their passionate about through such a specialized and innovative program?’”
Though most who participate will be current Gordon students, students from other schools in the CCCU are encouraged to apply through Gordon’s Global Education Office. The opportunity to spend the summer on Gordon’s New England campus—only 30 minutes from downtown Boston—will enhance the classroom experience as the cohort develops a professional framework and the practical skills they’ll need to serve and lead successful nonprofit organizations.
“This program is designed to teach students to use their passions, talents and faith to serve efficiently and effectively,” says Cooper. “Too often I hear stories of folks with good intentions who fail in their efforts because they don’t have the business skills to sustain their passion. This opportunity ensures their success.”
Because the program combines hands-on experience with lectures, guest speakers, class discussions and an internship on Boston’s North Shore, students are challenged academically as much as they are equipped in practical ways.
“Their internships make textbook discussion points relevant, and discussions are lively when there’s a life application element involved,” says Cooper. “We are very excited about how God might use these students to make a difference in the nonprofit world.”
| To learn more about the nonprofit management certificate program, contact Professor Casey Cooper at [email protected], or to apply visit www.gordon.edu/nonprofit. |
###
Gordon College is a multidenominational Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston’s North Shore, offering majors in 38 fields with graduate programs in education and music education. Gordon is nationally recognized for excellence in academics and in character building, and ranks as one of the nation’s top Christian colleges. www.gordon.edu