Preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders
UNI is the right fit for students interested in a nonprofit career
The University of Northern Iowa is the only school in the state of Iowa where students can earn a nationally recognized nonprofit credential, the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential. Students at UNI earn their CNP through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA). The mission of NLA is to strengthen the social sector with a talented and prepared workforce.
The CNP credential is the only national nonprofit credential that prepares students (undergraduate, graduate and professionals) for careers in nonprofit management. Students who complete the leadership development program at UNI are awarded the credential and gain access to a network of nonprofit career resources.
"Involvement in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance benefits students in a number of ways, including allowing them to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life situations, building a network of professionals while still a student, and it gives them access to local and national conferences, often at no cost to the student," said Julianne Gassman, director of UNI's Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.
Meet UNI graduate Emily Hanson in this video, and learn how the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance has helped her become certified to change the world.
The training for the alliances CNP credential is based on the 10 core competencies that hiring managers are looking for in prospective employees. In fact, research shows that professionals who receive their CNP credential are seven times more likely to rise to director or higher levels (compared with their non-CNP peers).
UNI's NLA program is one of the leading institutions preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders. For the past 5 years, UNI has been in the top five universities in the number of students earning the CNP. And at the annual conference, UNI excels among their peers in best practices and research. In January, UNI students were recognized for their research presentations:
1st Place Graduate Research "Students Perception of Fundraising Through Personal Solicitation," presented by Somtochukwu "Stanley" Ebede, Jon Klein and Erin Brown
2nd Place Graduate Research "Effective Mission Messaging in Nonprofit Organizations: A Content Analysis," presented by Kristina Kofoot, Eric Eastman and Caitlin Himmelsbach
3rd Place Graduate Research "Going Viral: A Case Study of Lessons Learned from the ALS Foundation and the Ice Bucket Challenge," presented by Shannon Betzer, Katelyn Blake and Sydney Boyle
1st Place Undergraduate Research "The Role of Special Events in Raising Contributions and Awareness for Nonprofit Organizations," presented by Kaitlyn Kelly, Marcus Dunford and Grace Fennelly
3rd Place Undergraduate Research "Social Media: Has it Impacted Organizations or Not?" presented by Esther Vuong, Tessa Clark, Allie Brown and Liz Sefrin
News & Events
UNI's Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association will host the 11th annual Cedar Valley Nonprofit Awards Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, in the UNI Commons Ballroom. The event will recognize the contributions of local nonprofits and nonprofits. More information, RSVP details and nominations forms are available on the NLA website.