Youth & Nonprofit Leadership

Combining a major, minor and/or certification in Youth & Nonprofit Leadership (YNL) with another major, minor or area can lead to important and exciting career opportunities and it can double career opportunities at graduation. YNL prepares students for leadership roles in youth, human service, and other nonprofit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, hospitals, colleges, and ministries to mention several. According to the Independent Sector, there are over 50,000 new positions open in this career field each year and it is growing faster than any other sector.

Students in the program develop competencies in areas that include leadership and supervision, program development, marketing, risk management, and financial procedures to mention a few. Each class includes an aspect of service learning in which students use what they are learning in class to develop a community service project. These classes help to qualify students as a Service Learning Scholar at graduation.

With over 600 students enrolled annually, the program is the largest Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) program in the country. NLA is an affiliation of 70 colleges and universities that prepares students for leadership roles in youth and human service organizations. NLA/YNL students, faculty and staff have worked with campus and community leaders to initiate and develop the local YMCA, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Service Learning Scholars program, the MSU Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement and the Health Matters for Students program. Additionally, they have worked with local leaders in generating over $1,970,000 in grants and fund-raising for campus and community needs. The program has received 10 national awards and 35 local awards for excellence in leadership education, service and research.