The program was selected for the Program Launch Award at the national American Humanics Management Institute, held in January in Kansas City. Six GVSU students and Annie Davies-MacLachlan, director of Grand Valley's AH program, accepted the award.
'We were very pleased,' said Amy Clough, a psychology senior in the program. Those of us who stepped up into leadership roles this year really didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. We all believed in the mission of American Humanics and therefore committed ourselves to making it a strong presence on GVSU's campus. It means a lot to have our efforts recognized.'
Housed within Grand Valley's School of Public and Nonprofit Administration, AH was initiated in the Fall 2003 semester as an 18-credit certification program that requires internships in the community and helps prepare students for careers in the nonprofit sector. Designed to complement a variety of majors, AH attracts many students studying for degrees in business, psychology or other career fields.
It is also open for enrollment to members of the community. One of the programs goals, said Davies-MacLachlan, is to reach out to those in the community interested in making a career switch to the nonprofit sector, as well as those just getting started who could benefit from additional nonprofit management skills. The overall goal is to equip people to become skilled professionals and leaders in nonprofit organizations.
Nationally, more than 80 colleges and universities offer American Humanics certification including only two others in Michigan: Eastern and Western Michigan universities.
The internship experience, along with participation in GVSU's American Humanics Student Association, are what makes AH stand out from many more traditional academic programs, said Davies-MacLachlan. 'Our strength is in our emphasis on experiential education. Students are not just sitting in the classroom, but instead spend at least 300 hours of internship time working at nonprofits, volunteering in the community and participating in service learning, an education tool that helps students to link their classroom learning and real life experience,' she said.
Currently, 23 students participate in the AH program and are working with more than 20 nonprofit organizations in the region, including the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, the Humane Society, the United Way of Ottawa County, the Nokamis Foundation, Michigan Trails Girl Scouts, Every Woman's Place, and Michigan Right to Life. Students have also formed a recruitment committee and will visit area community colleges and high schools to educate students about opportunities in the fastest growing sector in Michigan: the nonprofit sector, said Davies-MacLachlan.
To find out more about how American Humanics is involved in the community, to become an internship site, or to apply for the program, please contact Annie Davies-MacLachlan at 616-331-2362 or email [email protected]. Additional information can also be found at www.Humanics.org or www.gvsu.edu/spna/ah.html.
