Center for Policy Studies Update
The Center for Policy Studies is an interdisciplinary applied research and outreach center focusing on areas of critical importance to communities and neighborhoods within a local-global perspective, including:
- Public policy and it’s impact on diverse populations
- Developing transformative leaders capable of impacting policy, practice and research
- Social and behavioral dimensions of health/mental health and delivery systems
- Restorative and environmental justice issues
- Human and social development policy and practice in a diverse society
- Governance and administrative structures of non-profit and non-governmental organizations
It offers an array of services to campus and community stakeholders, including: Grant development and implementation support; Research services to public agencies and community organizations; and nonprofit leadership development and organizational capacity building. In 2007, the center generated $ 335,500 in external funding for various research projects.
UTSA’s nonprofit programs, through the Center for Policy Studies, have been moving forward at a fast pace to meet the growing demands of the nonprofit community. American Humanics, UTSA’s nonprofit certification program for undergraduate and graduate students, continues to provide guidance and direction for many students hoping to make a career out of making a difference in the community.
In early January, 11 students attended the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI), a national conference in Kansas City, Missouri, sponsored by the national American Humanics headquarters. More than 800 students from 70 American Humanics affiliates in the U.S. participated in a series workshops on fundraising, volunteer management, grant-writing, strategic planning and financial management. In addition to workshops, students had the opportunity to network with national nonprofit representatives and interview for jobs and internships around the country. UTSA students received offers for internships from Girls, Inc., the Boy Scouts, and March of Dimes.
Students followed up their successful AHMI conference with a friend- and fund-raising event held at the Women’s Club of San Antonio in late January. The event, designed to raise awareness in San Antonio about UTSA’s nonprofit programs, drew 60 representatives from area nonprofit and corporations and raised approximately $1700 for students to attend AHMI in January 2009.
UTSA American Humanics student Crystal Delbosque received the American Humanics Next Generation Scholarship of $4500, awarded by the national American Humanics headquarters as a stipend for students’ internships, which often are unpaid. Crystal’s scholarship supports her work for Stand Up for Kids, a local nonprofit that provides shelter, support, and guidance for homeless adolescents.
In early February, UTSA’s Career Services department and the American Humanics program invited Julie Becker, the internship representative from the Clinton Foundation to UTSA to interview students interested in working on the issues addressed by the Foundation: HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation, climate change, and children’s health. Ms Becker interviewed eight UTSA students, including two American Humanics students for several positions in the Foundation’s Harlem, N.Y., and Boston, MA locations.
As a capstone event to the year, American Humanics students hosted its annual Recognition Reception on April 10, with keynote speaker Patricia Diaz Dennis, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for AT&T and Chair of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. UTSA President Dr. Ricardo Romo, a personal friend of Ms. Dennis, provided the keynote introduction to a crowd of approximately 70 students, professors, nonprofit and corporate representatives. Four graduating American Humanics students – Olivia Gold, Alicia Limon, Emily Mandes, and Natalie Ross – received recognition for completing the program.
The American Humanics program will continue to accept registration from students interested in studying nonprofit management and pursuing a career in the service sector.
UTSA’s Nonprofit Management Program, providing continuing education to working professionals, will hold its last class of the year on April 28. This year, 30 individuals participated in the program, which included classes on nonprofit strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, financial management, volunteer management and advocacy. Presenters included Marion Lee, of Bacon-Lee and Associates; Dr. Pamela Smith, UTSA professor of finance; Rose Mary Fry, Executive Director of Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network; and Toni Van Buren, Director of Public Policy at United Way.
During the 2008-2009 year beginning in September, the Program will revise its format to provide depth of topics and draw attendees from outside San Antonio. The format will focus on single-issue topics of critical importance to nonprofits, and classes will be offered one full-day per month for 8 months.
This summer’s Summer Institute on Leadership and Stewardship (SILS) will launch a new program focused on Board Excellence. The two-day workshop, to be held August 7 and 8, 2008, will provide national and local speakers and include topics such as ethics and accountability, new responsibilities of the board, fundraising, and cultivating the next generation of board leaders. For more information contact: Teresa Pena at Teresa.Pena@utsa.edu (210) 458-2546; or Francesca Rattray at Francesca.Rattray@utsa.edu (210) 458-2691.
Submitted by Francesca D. Rattray, Senior Program Coordinator,
Center for Policy Studies.