Mission

Mission
To strengthen the educational, communication and research infrastructure of the Connecticut and U.S. nonprofit sector.

The mission of the University of Connecticut Program on Nonprofit Leadership and Strategic Networks (NLSN) is to work in academic partnership with the schools, colleges and regional campuses of the University of Connecticut in creating credit and noncredit educational programs, conferences and engaged scholarship beneficial to the Connecticut and U.S. nonprofit sector. This work will be done in congruence and support of the academic plan and land grant mission of the University.

The learning goals of the Program will focus on the academic needs of the adult learner. A fundamental learning element touching all NLSN programs will be the management of inter-organizational strategic networks (collaborations) essential to nonprofit, government, commercial, and other community stakeholders engaged in work with the nonprofit sector.

Why Strategic Networks?
“The area of strategic networks, noted in the name of the UConn program, is critical to the focus of the program and the future of the American nonprofit sector,” explains Dr. Susan Nesbitt, Director of the Center for Continuing Studies (CCS), home of the Program. “Making an impact and gaining traction on societal issues requires crossing borders—nonprofits not only need to collaborate with other nonprofits to meet society’s needs, but they must refine and strengthen their work with government agencies and corporate partners,” adds Nesbitt.

Strengthening the Connecticut Nonprofit Sector
“It is the mission of this initiative to work in academic partnership with the schools and colleges of the University of Connecticut to create educational programs and pursue engaged scholarship beneficial to the Connecticut nonprofit sector,” states Dr. David Garvey, director of the program.  “In addition, the UConn program seeks to be a catalyst for strengthening the continuum of learning between the Connecticut nonprofit sector and the State’s sister institutions of higher education.”