Student & Alumni Perspectives
"The Nonprofit Leadership and Management program has already equipped me with the tools required to progressively advance in my career as a nonprofit leader. The program's content is easily transferable to the workplace and the network of colleages I have established as a result of the program is incredible! I highly recommend the program to anyone interested in the nonprofit sector."
Stacie Freasier, Operations Manager, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation
"With my first year behind me, I've become aware of how strong and highly valued the “cohort” relationship has grown to be, and which NP administrators take extra steps to cultivate, e.g. picnics and open houses and Pat's café meetings. The Cohort has also served as a very important support system during stressful times."
Gretchen Pelletier, Senior Writer for Development, UCSD
"The standard of excellence of the Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program can been seen in every aspect of the coursework; the professors are knowledgeable, dedicated, experienced, and always willing to meet with students to ensure the highest quality of education; the program structure is thoughtful and purposefully interwoven to provide an ideal balance between the theoretical and practical; the fact that the program's students work in such a wide breadth of nonprofits allows for learning about the nonprofit sector not only from the classes, but from the other cohorts as well. I am constantly amazed at the immediate applicability of the coursework and learning in the independent school sector."
Barbara Ostos, Teacher, Francis Parker School, class of 2007
"It is a privilege to be a part of the Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program at USD. I have worked informally in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years and naively began my own nonprofit three years ago. Participation in this program is giving me the tools needed to be instrumental in creating an effective, successful and professionally managed organization that is really making a positive difference in many peoples' lives. Personally, my leadership abilities are being nurtured and strengthened each day as I am challenged and guided by the qualified and diverse professors who we are fortunate to have teaching in the program."
Monica Santos, Executive Director, Augustinian Scholarship Fund, class of 2008
"I always thought I was going to obtain a Nonprofit MBA. When I began examining numerous programs, something just didn't feel right about them. Then I was introduced to the Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program at USD. This is one of the greatest things to happen to me. Not only am I learning about financial issues, I am learning about strategic planning, leadership, consensus organizing and numerous other topics that support my growth and development. This program has enhanced my knowledge of the nonprofit sector and will help position me to be the most marketable and desirable nonprofit manager in the future. Besides the classroom knowledge, I am proud to be part of a program where all the students look out for each other. It is about working together to help each other and to promote the greater good of the nonprofit sector. I am glad that I chose this program over the nonprofit MBA programs I had considered and am proud to be included in this prestigious program."
Seth Rosenzweig, Chief Operating Officer, Life Rolls On, class of 2007
"The lessons learned in the classroom are applicable to every facet of my job. Each of the projects done provide valuable work to our community and enhance our knowledge tremendously. This program has surpassed each and all of my expectations! It's incredible how amazing my classmates and instructors are—together they teach me more about the nonprofit sector and myself than any book available. The courses provide knowledge and personal growth as each of us strives to improve our organizations and ourselves."
Carrie Leising,
Development Coordinator, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, class of 2007
"The Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program has been an enormous help to me in understanding how nonprofit organizations work, and how they are supposed to work. The contacts I have made and the understanding I've gained through the readings, class projects and lectures have been extremely valuable in my work, which requires me to keep tabs on the nonprofit sector. I would recommend this program to anyone seeking to improve their understanding of the many elements that go into administering a nonprofit organization."
Jeff McDonald, Reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune
"I am in constant awe at the quality of the individuals that are in the program. I am not only honored to be part of the group; I realize that we are the future of the nonprofit sector in San Diego. I constantly feel that my knowledge and capacity has grown a thousand fold. We as a new generation of nonprofit leaders have big shoes to fill. Yet under this program I know that we, as the NPLM students and alums, are prepared to perform, produce and succeed as the next generation of our nonprofit sector leaders."
Ileana Ovalle, Manager, Government & Community Relations, Cox Communications, class of 2006
"I enrolled in the inaugural class of the Nonprofit Program and it took me twice as long as many of my classmates to finish my masters. Going the "slow way" with one class a semester worked best for my family and I encourage anyone who may be putting the program off because of time conflicts to consider this alternative. I have so enjoyed the classes and professors, and the results are evident in my business approach and my self-confidence in the work place. The added bonus of extending the program is meeting even more of the terrific students that participate in the program. Enjoy the process -- it's incredible."
Kelly Mitchell, Development Director, San Diego Crew Classic, class of 2006
"The Nonprofit Leadership & Management Master's program offers an ideal balance between theoretical and practical learning in the nonprofit sector with its combination of traditional academia, in-class analysis, and project work for local organizations. While one of the most attractive aspects of the program initially was the quality and expertise of the program staff, I was similarly impressed with the student-to-student learning that occurred throughout the program and which continues today."
Shannon Anglea,
Development Officer,
McCormick Tribune
Foundation, class of 2005
"The Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program has been and continues to be an awakening for me. As someone whose experience and previous learnings were grounded in traditional business, I have been afforded access to knowledge and extensive expertise which now is shaping a brand new nonprofit, The Paul Jacobson Spinal Cord Foundation. This program is very different. It is hands-on, it is impactful and is providing me with the tools to make meangiful and effective decisions in my organization. I literally have learned something one night in class and have poured that knowledge into my Foundation the very next day. A big WOW!"
Paul Jacobson, Founder, Paul Jacobson Spinal Cord Foundation
"The program has added significantly to both by career and personal learning experience. The curriculum is outstanding relating every aspect of teaching to real work experience. I can truly say this has been one of the most wonderful experiences in both my career and life which will lead to many new opportunities."
Martha Marmolejo, Budget Manager,
Neighborhood House Association Head Start Program, class of 2005
"The Nonprofit Leadership program secured my credibility with myself and current employer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and gave me the confidence to realize one of my goals: fulltime nonprofit work. As the Associate of Agency Fund Development, at the national level, I have the opportunity to contribute to the restructuring and rollout of a national campaign to help secure funds to mentor children. It was my MA from USD, and specifically the NP program that created the tipping point. My leadership classes have been invaluable in managing me help 365+ field unit agencies in change management; my finance classes help me address fundraising management challenges as it relates to growth, and my co-horts gave me ideas I was able to share with over 700 people nation-wide in order to grow as an organization."
Jonathan Glasoe, Assistant Director of Agency Fund Development, Big Brother Big Sister Association, class of 2004
"In the NPL&M Master's program, students benefit from both long-term planning strategies as well as ideas you can implement immediately to make a difference in your organization. In the Resource Development class, the importance of personally thanking donors was reiterated as a key to fundraising success. So, on Valentine's Day, our small staff hand-delivered 10 dozen beautiful heart-shaped cookies, wrapped in individual pastry boxes, complete with personal thank you notes. And, of course, we invited these key donors and supporters to participate in our upcoming event! A lot of discussion was created in our small town as to who received a cookie and who did not! To this day, we are still getting mileage from those cookies and we will expand on that concept this year with Scout troops helping with the delivery. A simple idea that helped our nonprofit increase our net income by 22% last year!"
Patty Cowan, Executive Director, Coronado Schools Foundation, class of 2007
“This program builds upon one's confidence and fully prepares you to address the challenges and intricacies of managing a nonprofit organization. The courses are comprehensive and after you graduate you have many options. Whether you choose to be an executive director, development director, or a program director or any role as a senior manager, you will be equipped with the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and resources made available by participating in the Master's program.”
Edith Glassey, Chief Development Officer, YWCA, class of 2005
"As I meet other expatriates and host country nationals I am impressed with the nonprofit work that is going on in Ghana. I am equally struck by how similar the challenges are of these organizations to the nonprofits I know and have worked with in the States. Governance, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Resource Development, Marketing, Business Ethics, and Advocacy are all on the agendas. I mention this because as I reflect on the USD Nonprofit degree requirements it is apparent that my learning and experiences are transferrable to business sectors in and out of the United Statees. We learned specific skills and theory that allow me to offer myself wholeheartedly and with confidence to any organization I am interested in pursuing."
Jamie Otis, Alumni living in Ghana, class of 2004
"I absolutely love being in the Master's program for Nonprofit Leadership & Management. It is an amazing and incredibly rewarding program that is not only teaching me the significant and practical skills that I need to utilize in the nonprofit sector, but the program allows me to use the passion that I have for helping others in a positive and productive manner. I feel incredibly fortunate to be included among so many talented individuals who desire to make a change in the nonprofit community. I truly value the friendships and camaraderie that has been created among our own cohort."
Keri Canedo, Coordinator of Residential Services, Home of Guiding Hands, class of 2007
"I followed the development of this program for two years before it came time for me to apply. I knew it would dramatically enhance my professional contributions to the world. As I began collaborating with my fellow students, I realized that through this program we were developing a strong network of high caliber nonprofit professionals. Over the next fifty years, these relationships will raise the bar for nonprofit organizations around San Diego and around the world. It is a privilege to be a part of such an awe-inspiring program. Like the rest of my cohort, I'm in this for the long haul."
Jennifer Jones, Volunteer Coordinator, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
"There is never a week that goes by that I am not describing the program to someone. The quality of the program/faculty is exemplary, and the quality of the school is incredible so when you put the two together, it's three times as good! And I haven't sold a textbook back yet because I'm ending up with such an incredible resource library! That says a lot too!"
Jan Ferree, Community Impact Manager, United Way of San Diego, class of 2006
"I recently had the privilege of facilitating a strategic planning process for a national organization as a consultant. In the span of two days of rigorous planning, the organization achieved incredible results. It redefined its mission and direction, revamped all of its programs, clarified the roles and responsibilities of the Board, formed working committees, reviewed and amended bylaws, adopted a Board manual and created a resource development plan involving collaborative partnerships and various fundraising strategies. We would never have been able to accomplish this without the training I received at USD. The strategic planning course I took taught me the necessary research, analysis and facilitation techniques, which helped me lead the planning process constructively. Besides, this process involved knowledge and reference materials that I gained from all classes in this MA program: nonprofit fundamentals, legal issues, research and evaluation, finance, resource development, public speaking, consensus organizing, leadership and change, among others. (And I wish I could have taken all of the other electives!) In sum, I believe the best accolades that this program can receive are the results which are achieved by its students and alumni in their dedication to “making this world a better place” through their extraordinary work in the nonprofit sector."
Svetlana Krasynska, Nonprofit Consultant, 501c3Consulting.com, class of 2005
"The program has been the right place for me to share ideas, confront challenges and think strategically about the nonprofit sector. My professors have created an environment where visionary thinking takes place. You can't put a value on that."
Pete Greyshock, Interim Director of Youth Ministry, Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church, class of 2008
"All semester long I have been critically comparing and contrasting "technical" and "adaptive" worlds in the Fundamentals and Leadership courses. By thoroughly exploring case studies of failed leadership I have learned that staying too long in either world (technical or adaptive) is dangerous and in order to be an effective leader one needs to understand how both worlds work and how to strategically pull from each to construct an effective plan of action. As the next generation of nonprofit leaders, I am very grateful to have this opportunity alongside my colleagues to learn and reflect on these dynamics in a supportive environment."
Otto Sanchez Cocino, Senior Purchasing Agent, MAAC Project
