MCC Finishes First Cohort of Nonprofit Management Certificate

Middlesex Community College is committed to training employees to learn the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the Massachusetts’ workforce. MCC’s Community Education & Training Program offers courses to help current employees excel in their positions, furloughed workers learn professional development, and out-of-work job seekers find new jobs.

In spring 2020, Middlesex launched its first Nonprofit Management Certificate to prepare students with key concepts and critical management components for all nonprofit organizations.

Participants ­– from businesses and MCC partners, such as Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Enterprise Bank and the Phoenix – learned about essential aspects of nonprofit management, including fundraising, board development, volunteer management and program evaluation.

Sarah Glatt, MCC faculty member and Founder and Principal Consultant of Paper Crane Associates, believed the course benefitted a range of student needs – from those starting out in the nonprofit world to those wanting to take on leadership roles.

“Middlesex’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management provides its students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the nonprofit sector and to develop new skills and knowledge they can put into action immediately and accelerate the impact of their organizations,” Glatt said. “The course complements and accelerates the on-the-job training that nonprofit employees receive – building a stronger and more impactful nonprofit sector.”

Kerri Keeler is a Development Associate with Mill City Grows in Lowell and has moved into working for a nonprofit after years working in corporate jobs. Keeler chose MCC due to the flexibility in the schedule and affordability of the class.

“I loved the practical, real world examples that were used to illustrate each concept and showcase successes and challenges experienced by other organizations,” she said. “MCC’s course was a great way for me to get myself up to speed in my new career in nonprofit work quickly and with a solid foundation for me to learn more as the work grows.”

This is the third certification course Carl Gallozzi has taken. He is a retired Hewlett-Packard Company Relationship Manager in the Server Division now focused on his volunteer work. He credits MCC’s course for helping him learn a strong overview of the subject matter.

“The modules about both strategic planning and fundraising are also extremely timely and valuable,” he said. “I would recommend these courses to obtain an overview from a practiced professional – who is knowledgeable and supportive.”

Michelle Silveira, Executive Director of the Power of Flowers Project, enjoyed the conversations that stemmed from the class and everyone’s different experiences.

“As a new Executive Director in the nonprofit world – I became ED August 1 and worked in the financial industry for over 30 years – I took away something from every class,” Silveira said. “I shared my learning experiences at my monthly Board meetings, asking them to think about certain topics, such as the life cycle of a nonprofit. This was a great Segway into my career in the nonprofit world.”

MCC’s Community Education & Training offers a host of courses, including on topics such as Management and Leadership, HR training, Project Management, Team Building, Goal Setting and more. Due to the effects of COVID-19 – and to keep the MCC community safe – many courses are now offered online. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/ or call 1-800-818-3434 to learn more and to register for courses.

For more information, contact Lauren Ellis, MCC’s Program Manager of Community Education & Training, at EllisL@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3669.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!