Center For Policy Studies Update
The Center for Policy Studies (CPS) was created as a central coordinating point for research conducted under the auspices of the College of Public Policy. In that capacity, the center served as the link between the college and the Office of the Vice President for Research in ensuring that grant applications submitted by the college complied with university policies and procedures. The center also became the home of the American Humanics (AH) national non-profit management and leadership certification program and the UTSA non-profit management (NMP) certificate program. The center also provides support for the college’s Great Cities forums and the Office of Restorative Justice programs.
In January of this year, the Interim Dean of the College of Public Policy appointed a special committee that includes representatives from each of the departments within the college to define the future of the center as a resource to the college, the university community, and the community-at-large. The committee expects to complete its work by the end of summer.
In the meantime, the AH program and the NPM program will remain the signature programs of the center. The center’s research support function has been transferred to the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research which is also located within the college.
Recruitment efforts have resulted in a 100% increase in the number of UTSA non-profit management minors and the number of graduate and undergraduate students seeking AH non-profit management and leadership certification.
Twelve (12) non-profit professionals and six (6) UTSA students completed the requirements for national AH certification in non-profit management and leadership during the past academic year. These individuals will be honored at the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA) recognition event in May. Program affiliates who offer internships and volunteer opportunities for AH students will also be recognized at this event (it is noteworthy that the number of community-based organizations that provide internship and volunteer opportunities to AH students tripled in the past year). The event also provides an opportunity for AHSA to raise money to help defray the cost of students’ required attendance at the annual AH Management Leadership Institute.
Forty-two (42) participants received a certificate of completion in nonprofit management and leadership on April 3, 2009. For the first time, participants were offered a chance to apply for the AH national certification. UTSA is the only AH-affiliated campus in the country to offer this option.
The 2009-2010 Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program will kick off with the Summer Institute for Leadership and Stewardship (SILS) scheduled for August 6-7, 2009. Additional information about SILS can be found at www.utsa.edu/nmp. Additional information the AH program can be found at www.utsa.edu/ah.
Submitted by
Robert Ambrosino, Ph.D.
Interim Director, Center for Policy Studies.
501 West Durango Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78207 PH (210) 458-2530 FAX (210) 458-2431