UA Professor Wants to Add Punch to Nonprofits

Margaret Reid believes nonprofits need to heed the same axiom most for-profit businesses embrace.

“You can never sit still,” said Reid, professor and chair of the University of Arkansas’ political science department.

With that in mind, Reid is helping launch See Change in March. The program, backed by the UA and The Walmart Foundation, is believed to be the area’s first nonprofit management certificate.

Reid has taught nonprofit management courses at the UA for more than five years and has entertained the idea of See Change for about two years.

She hosted a series of vetting sessions during that time to iron out some kinks, and has enlisted three professionals to teach the seven-month program that costs $1,500.

“The hope is that we not only train the person, but add a resource to the organization,” Reid said.

The program will stress four focal principles: preparing for continuous change, leadership and social entrepreneurship/innovation, accountability and ethics, and diversity and inclusion.

“It’s a true certificate program,” Reid said. “It’s not just showing up, sitting in class and participating a little bit.”

Classes will be taught by Blake Woolsey of Mitchell Communications Group Inc., Bruce Johanson of Johanson Group, and Denise McNerney of Kansas City-based iBossWell Inc. Participants can earn six continuing education units by taking the course.

Classes will be limited to 15 pupils and some scholarships might be awarded. More information can be found at www.see-change.org.