Jennifer Flowers Joins Northeast STEM Starter Academy (NSSA) at Mount Vernon Board of Directors

Jennifer Flowers, the accreditation and nonprofit management expert behind Accreditation Guru, Inc., has joined the Northeast STEM Starter Academy at Mount Vernon (NSSA) Board of Directors and its leadership committee.

Since 2013, Flowers has provided her services as a consultant for the NSSA. At that time, the organization was known as Mount Vernon Technology and Science Center for Youth Advancement, before the agency filed for nonprofit status and prior to the formation of its board of directors. Flowers has spent years offering general advice and connections to others within the nonprofit area, but her experience and efforts have also made an impact on the development of governance policies, bylaws, and the creation of a board orientation packet.

Today, the NSSA fulfills a vital mission to expose at-risk, underprivileged students in Mount Vernon, NY to state-of-the-art science and technology resources and inspires them to dream of and eventually work toward careers in the sciences, computer technology and engineering.

Transitioning from consultant to board member allows Flowers to share her passion for the NSSA’s mission with those more closely involved in the agency’s daily operations. Having served as an advisor to the board since the very beginning, Flowers has had the advantage of gaining firsthand knowledge of the organization and its operations. Her expertise as a nonprofit consultant will also allow her to offer valuable insight and sound recommendations in areas including strategic planning and board development, among others.

Flowers will also serve on the board’s leadership committee, which was established to support the NSSA’s development of an interactive science and technology center. Committee members will collaborate and pool their combined skills to capitalize on opportunities that will further NSSA’s vision.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) centers such as NSSA provide an invaluable service by filling a much-needed educational void in disadvantaged areas, like Mount Vernon, that have had very little exposure to STEM within their public school systems. STEM education has become increasingly important to building strong US and global economies, both essential for the future. Future economic growth will be dependent upon jobs requiring STEM skills, which have become some of the most difficult positions to fill. Without exposure to these vital areas of study, children are at risk of missing out on learning the skills that will lead to long, rewarding careers.

“NSSA at Mt. Vernon is pleased and proud to welcome Jennifer Flowers, who has worked closely with our organization over the past few years, to our Board of Directors. In addition to sharing her valuable business expertise, Ms. Flowers brings a passionate commitment to our agency’s mission and the children we serve,” said Gerald D. Dennis, Executive Director of NSSA. “She will be a tremendous addition to our Board as we strive to provide valuable STEM skills to at-risk, underserved and underrepresented children in our community.”

Flowers is a firm believer in the power of strong communities and the benefits that a first-rate education can offer to young students. She also believes in giving back to a community that has given her so much, both personally and professionally. She is looking forward to collaborating with NSSA for many years to come.

The NSSA at Mt. Vernon for Advancement is an independent, IRS approved 501(c)(3) created in direct response to the many challenges that cannot be adequately addressed by the public school system due to resource and budget constraints. The center works in partnership with public school leadership to ensure at-risk students have access to state-of-the-art science and technology resources that prepare them for careers as teachers, scientists, computer technologists, doctors and engineers. For more information on NSSA, please visit http://www.mvtsc.org/

Since its inception in 2009, Mamaroneck based Accreditation Guru has helped guide both private and public health and human service organizations through the national accreditation process via an efficient and systematic approach, for which they have a 100% success rate. Their expertise also includes implementing performance measurement/quality improvement programs, developing long-term strategic plans and improving the effectiveness of boards of directors. For information about their services and how they can help your organization to Prepare for Greatness™, visit http://www.AccreditationGuru.com.

Photo 1:
Jennifer Flowers, President, Accreditation Guru, Inc.

Photo 2:
Northeast STEM Starter Academy at Mount Vernon (NSSA)