Making a Living Making a Difference
As a student at the Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City, Meggan Capps searched for some way to match her passion for community service with a legitimate career path. "I had this inner passion but didn't know what to do with it,” she remembered. Then she learned about the American Humanics nonprofit management program.
"American Humanics really gave me a chance to find my way,” she continued. "It opened a lot of doors that I didn't think were possible.” Capps is currently interning with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City while she completes her bachelor's degree and the American Humanics certificate in nonprofit management.
American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations that prepares college students for careers as nonprofit professionals. Headquartered in Kansas City, it is the only national academic program in nonprofit management. H. Roe Bartle, the Kansas City mayor for whom Bartle Hall is named, founded American Humanics in 1948.
Today the alliance includes 18 national nonprofit partners whose local agencies prefer to hire American Humanics graduates. More than 70 colleges and universities in 36 states offer American Humanics certification to their students. This includes seven regional schools: Missouri Valley College, Rockhurst University, William Jewell College, UMKC, Graceland University, University of Nebraska-Omaha and Kansas State University.
In September, Dr. Kala Stroup accepted the position of President of American Humanics after serving seven years as Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education. "American Humanics is a nationally recognized innovator in nonprofit management and community service,” Stoup explained. "With several strong academic programs in the region and national offices in Kansas City we have a unique opportunity to build on the area's entrepreneurial spirit and its reputation as a generous and caring community.” American Humanics' student population more than doubled in the last five years. Stroup believes this trend will continue as college students respond to the President's call to service.
"Competent, effective nonprofit professionals are needed to insure that volunteer efforts are having a positive impact in our communities,” Stroup stated. "The American Humanics certificate verifies that a college graduate is prepared to succeed in that capacity.”
"I would recommend American Humanics to any college student who wants to get into the business of serving people,” said Phil Hanson, Executive Vice President, Heart of America United Way and American Humanics Alumnus, Rockhurst University (1982). "It is the best way to find out about opportunities to be of service and to get a head start on a career in service to the community.”
KANSAS CITY TO HOST ANNUAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
Each year the American Humanics Management Institute convenes students from all American Humanics affiliated colleges and universities. The Institute is a three-day conference in which students learn about nonprofit management through educational workshops, seminars and a daylong simulation exercise led by experienced nonprofit professionals.
In January 2004 the Institute returns to Kansas City. More than 1,000 students from across the country are expected to participate. Stewart Smith will serve as Dean of the Institute. Smith is National CEO of Camp Fire USA, also headquartered in Kansas City.
"Volunteer organizations have some very high expectations to live up to—and our success depends on the combined efforts of individuals, businesses, government and non-profits,” Smith noted. "As Host City of the 2004 American Humanics Management Institute, Kansas City can set the precedent as all sectors work together to help prepare the future leaders of our nation's youth and human service agencies.”
For more information on American Humanics and its local and national programs, please visit www.humanics.org or send email to rpotter@humanics.org.