News

Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS) is offering new this year the opportunity for Vermont non-profit organizations to tap into the expertise of students and faculty in the Master of Public Administration Nonprofit Management concentration.

A select number of organizations will be chosen to submit their current strategic plans, fundraising plans, volunteer management and training plans for a free, confidential review by online graduate students during its Residency Conference held on campus in June.

Interested Vermont nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit their strategic plan, business plan, or other working plan no later than June 1, 2016, to residency@online.norwich.edu. Appointments may be set for Wednesday, June 22, between 8 a.m. and noon, and will take place on the Norwich University campus with a small group of students and a faculty member. During the meeting in June, the organization can expect a full analysis of their current plan as well as appropriate recommendations. For organizations needing assistance with completing a strategic or volunteer management plan, for example, Norwich students will offer suggestions for completion based on the best interests of the organization.

“We developed this activity, the first of its kind for the Master of Public Administration program, to further promote two key Norwich University values: dedication to experiential learning and service to others,” CGCS Dean William Clements said.

Established in 2014, the nonprofit management concentration was created by Norwich faculty and partners. The concentration helps address the industry need for a focused competence in this management area, as non-profit organizations intersect with the public sector and interact with public sector policies and management.

The curriculum for the nonprofit management concentration expands learning objectives and outcomes beyond knowledge acquisition to include skills and abilities most valuable to professionals seeking to achieve and sustain higher levels of organizational performance. Key areas of focus include improving social return on investment, effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. By utilizing the key skills learned in the nonprofit management courses, students are better prepared to apply these practices to benefit local nonprofits in their communities.