New Leadership Program at University of Scranton Aims to Serve Nonprofit Organizations

Sep 7, 2016
The University of Scranton announced a new Nonprofit Leadership Certificate program, one of the few offered in Pennsylvania, which will combine rigorous academics with a mentorship and an experiential learning component. The leadership program will serve to develop executives and directors to guide nonprofit organizations in the future. Speakers at the announcement are, from left: Michael Mensah, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management; Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., associate professor and chair of the Accounting Department at Scranton, and director of the new Nonprofit Leadership Program; Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO, Scranton Area Foundation Administrator Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation; and William Conaboy, J.D., president and CEO, Allied Services Integrated Healthcare System.
The University of Scranton announced a new Nonprofit Leadership Certificate program, one of the few offered in Pennsylvania, which will combine rigorous academics with a mentorship and an experiential learning component. The leadership program will serve to develop executives and directors to guide nonprofit organizations in the future. Speakers at the announcement are, from left: Michael Mensah, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management; Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., associate professor and chair of the Accounting Department at Scranton, and director of the new Nonprofit Leadership Program; Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO, Scranton Area Foundation Administrator Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation; and William Conaboy, J.D., president and CEO, Allied Services Integrated Healthcare System.

The University of Scranton announced a new Nonprofit Leadership Certificate program beginning in the spring of 2017 that will serve to develop executives and directors to guide these organizations in the future.

The leadership certificate program, one of the few offered in the Commonwealth, combines a rigorous academic component taught by Kania School of Management faculty with expertise in nonprofit organizations, with a mentorship and experiential learning through a capstone project that requires participants to form a comprehensive plan to solve a current issue faced by the nonprofit organization they represent.

“Nonprofit leaders drive social change – so investing in social change means investing in nonprofit leadership,” said Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO, Scranton Area Foundation Administrator Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation, who spoke at the announcement (LINK https://youtu.be/b_Q8X2ZV2BM). “Through my work I see how nonprofit organizations are drivers of social good in our community, from education and healthcare to services for the elderly, veterans, children and the environment.”

“This program is a key component in basically ensuring the success and viability of nonprofit organizations in our community,” said Ducceschi.

The professional development program focuses on leadership, fiscal management, marketing, fundraisings, grants, public relations, reporting and legal requirements, among other topics. The program, housed in the University’s Kania School of Management, will be held in a series of eight four-hour sessions conducted on alternating Friday afternoons on campus.

The program fits well with the Kania School of Management’s core commitment to “students, community and mission,” said Michael Mensah, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management. “The program is going to support organizations that exist to improve peoples’ lives,” said Dr. Mensah, who also noted AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation requires colleges to have a demonstrated impact on the community.

The Kania School of Management is accredited by AACSB International, the “gold standard” status of excellence that is held by less than five percent of business colleges worldwide – just 755 schools of business in 51 countries. Scranton is marking the 20th anniversary of holding AACSB International accreditation this year.

In addition, each participant will have a mentor to help the student develop a career path.

“My biggest concern is future leadership of not-for-profit organizations, said William Conaboy, J.D., president and CEO, Allied Services Integrated Healthcare System, in his remarks. He also noted that his organization is blessed to have several potential future leaders on staff, who could benefit from this program.

A network of practicing and experienced nonprofit board members and executives worked with Kania School of Management faculty to develop and support the program.

In addition to Dean Mensah, Ducceschi and Conaboy, Advisory Board members are: Robert Kelly, J.D., partner, Meyers, Brier and Kelly; and, from The University of Scranton: Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., associate professor and chair of the Accounting Department at Scranton, and director of the new Nonprofit Leadership Program; Daniel Mahoney, Ph.D., professor of accounting; Robert McKeage, Ph.D., associate professor of management and director of the University’s Business Leadership Honors Program; and Daniel West, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Health Administration.

“The program tuition was purposefully set lower than most similar programs offered elsewhere on the East Coast to enable broader access to nonprofit organizations within our community. In addition, we plan to also offer scholarships to some participants to ensure a cohort that represents a cross-section of nonprofit organizations that range in size, mission and constituencies,” said Dr. Boyle.

For additional information visit Scranton.edu/nonprofitleadershipprogram (LINK http://www.scranton.edu/academics/ksom/accounting/nonprofit-leadership-program/index.shtml) or call 570-941-4047. Applications are now being accepted for the spring 2017 inaugural class.

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