Expanding the toolkit

In August 2025, students from the Kansas State University Nonprofit Leadership Certificate program attended the Independent Sector National Summit, or ISNS, in Atlanta, Georgia, a conference focused on cross-sector partnerships. Selected through a competitive application process and supported by the Staley School of Leadership, students participated in the four-day national conference focused on key issues shaping the nonprofit sector. Throughout the conference, students engaged with topics such as building a thriving workforce, volunteer engagement, financial sustainability, artificial intelligence, and advocacy.

Before the conference, K-State students participated in the Student Leadership Academy. This pre-conference experience included an immersive session focused on designing the future of the nonprofit sector. This experience also provided students with opportunities to attend networking lunches with nonprofit CEOs and connect with peers from 10 universities nationwide.

As Wildcats consider how they want to grow as students and community members, the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate offers meaningful pathways to explore leadership through service. For many students, ISNS provided tangible skills and confidence they can carry into future nonprofit work. Sarah Hemenway, a student majoring in English Literature with a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and an Undergraduate Nonprofit Coordinator, described the experience as a chance to expand her professional toolkit. Hemenway shared that the conference helped her recognize the value of being a student in professional spaces.

During a networking event, Hemenway approached a group of CEOs and asked to join them at their table as a student interested in pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector after graduation. They immediately welcomed her, allowing her to expand her professional network and gain valuable insights from their experiences.

“People want to help students and are passionate about the nonprofit sector,” she said. “Leverage your role to network and connect with professionals. Don’t underestimate the power of being a student and being curious.”

Layla Hood, a student in park management and conservation with a certificate in nonprofit leadership, echoed the importance of networking and confidence-building. Hood shared that the conference helped her practice networking in real-world settings and better prepare for her future career.

“I would recommend that students take up any conference opportunity that comes their way,” Hood said. “It’s so valuable to attend conferences, learn new skills, and meet new people.”

For David Webb, an accounting and entrepreneurship student pursuing a certificate in nonprofit leadership, ISNS offered a deeper look into the sector he hopes to work in. Webb attended the summit to learn more about nonprofit work and connect with others who share a passion for service. He believes opportunities like ISNS are essential for students in the program as “they deepen understanding, build connections, and further knowledge within the nonprofit sector.”

Experiences like ISNS demonstrate that the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, led by Chance Lee, Ph.D., offers students applied learning and professional development opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.

Students in the certificate program study nonprofit leadership through experiential projects and service-learning opportunities. The nonprofit sector is the third-largest industry behind retail, and its work impacts our lives every day. Coursework covers topics such as organizational design, volunteer engagement, mission and vision development, funding strategies, and advocacy, preparing students to address complex challenges, including poverty, food insecurity, and resource gaps within nonprofit organizations.

When asked about the benefits of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, Lee shared, “Our program develops nonprofit-sector skills that empower students to exercise leadership now and in the future. Whether serving as board members, founders, or staff, we aim to help students maximize their impact in the nonprofit sector — to do good… better.”

He added, “Connecting current students with practitioners from across the nation at the ISNS is a great example of the real-world applied experiences we are proud to support.”

To learn more about the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, which is available as both an undergraduate and graduate degree, visit or contact program director Chance Lee at chance@k-state.edu.