Newly credentialed students to be recognized at Nonprofit Professional Program reception
Western Carolina University’s Division of Educational Outreach is preparing to kick off its fall 2019 Certified Nonprofit Professional Program and also planning a celebration for three individuals who completed the program over the past year.
Amanda Greene of the Mountain Area Health Education Center (also known as MAHEC), Angela Farnquist of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Lindsay Griswold of Rotary International have completed the eight-module hybrid course, which is accredited by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. A reception for them is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at WCU’s instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville.
“Each of these individuals met the rigorous competency standards required by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance,” said Susan Fouts, executive director of the Division of Educational Outreach and coordinator for the CNP program through the division’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment. “The reception is the culminating event for a year of hard work and personal commitment. This day also reflects support from each of these employers.”
The Aug. 9 event will include a program highlighting WCU’s continuing involvement with the nonprofit community and the resources offered for nonprofit organizations by the university. Lane Perry, director of WCU’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, and Chris Cooper, head of the university’s Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, will speak at the event.
The fall CNP Program will kick off at WCU’s Biltmore Park site Thursday, Sept. 12, with a one-day workshop titled “Management and Leadership,” followed by four weeks of online content. The program is intensely hands-on and has been proven to position professionals for long-term employment success, Fouts said.
After completing the core requirements, students are awarded the CNP credential, which gets uploaded to LinkedIn and other digital platforms. Throughout the program, students receive career support and assistance in connecting to nonprofit employers.
For more information about the program and nonprofit resources that are available, and for a full course schedule, visit nonprofit.wcu.edu or call 828-227-7397.
