Personal Passion, Professional Competence

Nonprofit Leadership is a focus within the Leadership Studies Minor. Students acquire the knowledge and skills and gain the experience that prepares them for leadership in today’s rapidly growing nonprofit sector. Learning experiences include coursework, co-curricular activities through the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA), internships, and participation in the American Humanics Management/Leadership Institute national conference (AHMI).

What is American Humanics?

American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations that educates, prepares, and certifies the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, it provides the only nationally recognized certification in nonprofit leadership in the U.S. When you complete an undergraduate degree minoring in Leadership Studies with a Nonprofit Leadership focus, you qualify for national certification through American Humanics.

Why Nonprofit Leadership/American Humanics?

• Earn national certification at no extra cost. It's a “value-added” component of your Nonprofit Leadership/American Humanics focus.
• Scholarships are awarded annually by American Humanics and its collaborating organizations.
• You get one-to-one support, career development, and mentoring by faculty and community nonprofit professionals.
• Network with and gain special access to prospective employers at local, regional, and national levels.
• Receive opportunities to practice nonprofit roles through internships, co-curricular service, community service, and professional development activities.
• Acquire references and referrals from organization and agency executive directors, advisory board members, and community leaders.
• Get exposure to a national nonprofit network of partners and career options through AHMI, a national conference held annually the first week in January.

How Do I Earn National Certification?

Certification by American Humanics is competency-based. Competencies include Professional Development Competencies - Board/Committee Development, Community Outreach/Marketing and Public Relations, Diversity Awareness, Ethics and Values, Fundraising Principles and Practices, Historical & Philosophical Foundations and Foundation Competencies - Career Development and Exploration, Communication Skills, Employability Skills and Personal Attributes.

Completion of the following courses is also required:

Coursework (7 courses, 18 credit hours):

Active participation in the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA) and its co-curricular activities, including fund raising, professional development, and community service. At least four full semesters of involvement in community service, business meetings, fund raising, and professional development are strongly encouraged.

Participation in one American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI), held annually the first full week in January for students, their campus directors, and other faculty as well as representatives of American Humanics national nonprofit partners. Washington, DC, Indianapolis and Phoenix, are just a few of the most recent AHMI conference sites.

Completion of one 300-hour or two 150-hour internship experiences in a nonprofit organization or organizations. Selection and confirmation of internship sites are based on a student's personal and professional goals, guided by the American Humanics Director.

What is AHSA—
and can I join even if I'm not in Leadership Studies?

AHSA is a K-State registered student organization dedicated to providing academic, cultural, and social opportunities that enrich professional potential in the field of nonprofit leadership through

Community Service
Professional Development
Fund Raising
Socials

All students interested in community service are invited to join!

What is AHMI?

Over 600 college students, faculty, and staff and more than 300 nonprofit professionals and corporate leaders convene annually the first week in January for the American Humanics Management Institute. The event features:

• Collaborative spirit and a structured learning environment for emerging nonprofit leaders in a national conference setting
• High quality workshops focusing on professional development for the nonprofit sector and maximum effectiveness on campus
• Productive networking with students from across the United States as well as corporate and nonprofit leaders
• Connections with the AH national network and nonprofit partners
• FUN!

Internship Experiences

The underlying principle of an internship is “shared value.” Take part in a win-win arrangement that provides you with learning and the partnering organization with valued work performance. Does a proposed internship truly benefit both parties? When evaluating a possible internship, consider the Quality American Humanics Internship Organization Criteria:

• Is it challenging work that provides the opportunity to experience many of the American Humanics professional development competencies in a nonprofit organization setting?
• Are their opportunities for further education and training through professional development provided by the internship organization?
• Will there be adequate planning before you start, including a comprehensive orientation to the organization and training for the specific internship?
• Do you share a mutually-agreed upon job description supported by structured supervision and adequate feedback?

American Humanics Internship Opportunity

This is a short-term work experience emphasizing hands-on learning that gives meaning to everything learned in the classroom:

• See how academic preparation translates into career goals.
• Pursue a professional career or other leadership role in a nonprofit organization.
• Experience a learning laboratory in the REAL working world.

Different Ways to Complete the Required 300 Hours

• Spend one full semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer) at a single organization for a total of 300 work hours
• Experience two different organizations in 150-hour blocks over two semesters
• Work at one organization in two 150-hour blocks during two successive semesters

Example Internships

K-State Nonprofit Leadership students have interned with many different organizations. Here are a few examples to give you ideas: