News

University of Connecticut
Program on Nonprofit Leadership
and Strategic Networks Launched

In academic collaboration with the schools, colleges and regional campuses of the University of Connecticut, the UConn Center for Continuing Studies is launching the Program on Nonprofit Leadership and Strategic Networks. Through programs designed for the in-career adult learner, the program seeks to strengthen the education, communication, and engaged scholarship capacity of the Connecticut and U.S. nonprofit sector.

 “Nearly 10% of Connecticut’s workforce is based in the nonprofit sector. With the graying of America, 75% of Connecticut and the nation’s nonprofit CEOs are expected to leave the field by 2016. This loss and projected growth of need for nonprofit services will require the potential infusion of 640,000 nationally, and 12,000 new entrants into the senior ranks of the Connecticut nonprofit field within the next decade. This is a daunting task,” states Dr. David Garvey, director of the program. “New leadership must be found and developed both within the current ranks of the nonprofit sector, and outside; with individuals transferring in from the for-profit sector, and early retirees looking for new roles and challenges—this is where adult learning programs become key,” states Garvey.

 “Our goal is to develop a world-class program of learning and scholarship for the Connecticut nonprofit community, based in the area of adult learning at the University, that meets the diverse needs of this vital sector to American life,” explains Dr. Susan Nesbitt, Director of the Center for Continuing Studies (CCS), home of the UConn Program.
 “The area of strategic networks, noted in the name of the UConn venture, is critical to the focus of the program and the future of the American nonprofit sector,” states Nesbitt. “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.”

 “It is the mission of this initiative to work in academic partnership with the schools, colleges and regional campuses of the University of Connecticut to create educational programs and pursue engaged scholarship beneficial to the Connecticut nonprofit sector,” states Dr. Garvey.  “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,” said Garvey.