928-523-6243
TPaul.Thomas@nau.eduMeet the students
Our exemplary students
Michaela Wuycheck
Like most students, I didn’t have an exact plan for my life when I started college. I knew I loved working with nonprofits, but at the time, NAU wasn’t offering any program to study it. After several business classes my first semester, I knew that I loved every area of business – but what I craved more than anything was to apply it in the nonprofit sector. I was passionate about helping people, and there, I knew I could use my skills and knowledge to make an impact. That is when I heard that the nonprofit certificate was launching, and I had the opportunity to be part of NAU’s inaugural class. I’ve never signed up for anything quicker.
Nick Gallegos
The program was personal and had a lot of the same people in the classes. Having professionals come and speak to us gave a great perspective on real-world scenarios and sparked more of a passion for the non-profit world.
I chose to start the certificate because I took a summer working with a non-profit in Louisville, Kentucky called Love Thy Neighborhood and it changed my life! I learned so much about how non-profits work and felt extremely supported by the people I was working with. I came back and wanted to change my whole academic plan around so I could receive the certificate.
It has impacted the way I look at the non-profit world as a whole. My heart has changed and I want to serve the community and people that I care about. I have chosen to work with a non-profit after graduating. Because of the certificate, I feel more prepared for working with non-profits as a career. By choosing this certificate, I was choosing a new way of doing things and my heart has changed to support the community instead of looking to take from it.
The knowledge I have gained has helped me pursue a career in non-profit. Specifically having the opportunity to work with a non-profit starting this summer. Learning the overall make-up of a board of directors and the form 990 has been the most interesting and helpful. Looking over non-profits’ financials to better understand how they are run, what not to do as a non-profit, and how they should be run.
Mia Somenek
I am super grateful for the knowledge I gained from taking this certificate because it lead to my dream job. I am now a college graduate managing an international nonprofit because of my educational background. I am now working on my master’s degree so that I can further my professional career even further.
I am the founder and former president of the Student United Way of NAU. Sat on the board of United Way of Flagstaff. Currently managing the Flagstaff International Relief Effort and hope to become the Program Manager of our volunteer project in Nepal within the next year!
I love working with nonprofits and I knew that I wanted to enter that sector when I graduated. Pursuing this certificate not only gave me the knowledge to do so but helped me build professional relationships as well!
Amber Dalgleish
Non-profits have always been an interest of mine and when I was freshman, this certificate became available and I knew that I had to be a part of this program. I love this program because we are exposed to real-life problems that non-profits face and get to work with and help local non-profits. Each class offered us a chance to work in a team setting, practice problem solving, and learn skills like grant writing, financial management, and how to legally run a non-profit. I really enjoyed all of my classes and professors. The professors have real experience with working with non-profits and that helped me gain better insights into what working in this industry is like.
This program has helped me focus and gain better understandings of non-profits and now I hope to work in the sports philanthropy industry one day. We analyzed and worked with different types of non-profits, all with different missions and goals. The knowledge I have gained from this program has made me a more well-rounded and open to different ways in which I can help communities. I would definitely recommend this program to all students who have a passion for making a difference and positive impacts in their community.
Amber Dalgleish graduated in May of 2020 from NAU and is now a Graduate Assistant at Boise State Athletics Marketing Department. During her time at NAU, she worked at NAU Athletics Marketing Department, interned with Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance, worked for The College for International Education as a Peer TA, and is a member of the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. She hopes to eventually work in the sports philanthropy or community engagement departments of sports organizations to create positive impacts in the surrounding communities and internationally.