(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is offering a new Religion and Nonprofit Certificate to help nonprofits facing budget constraints and staffing issues.
The certificate program, designed for undergraduate students, consists of five classes, including an internship with a nonprofit organization. This initiative aims to provide students with practical experience in the nonprofit sector while supporting community organizations.
“We frequently talk, and problem solve because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to improve our community in one way or another,” said Cami Bremmer, CEO and President of Pikes Peak United Way.
Jessica Berrett, an Associate Professor at UCCS who helped develop the certificate, noted, “The certificate is for current undergraduate students who are already pursuing a degree, and they can do this on the side just like they would do it like a minor.”
The idea for the certificate program originated from a brainstorming session between Berrett and a fellow professor, inspired by a similar offering at another university. “He had seen a similar offering at another university and wondered about, you know, could this be something that we could bring to UCCS?” Berrett explained.
The program has already generated interest among students and nonprofits. “Some of them have expressed interest in signing up for the certificate,” Berrett mentioned.
Although the certificate includes a focus on religion, it is not limited to faith-based organizations. Berrett emphasized the importance of cultural awareness and perspective in building relationships and trust within the nonprofit sector.
The new certificate program at UCCS offers a creative solution for students interested in nonprofit work, providing them with the skills and experience needed to make a difference in their communities. “We are looking forward to having those students that already know that nonprofit work may be really what they would like to do,” Bremmer added.
This certificate is available for all undergraduate students. To learn more about the certificate and courses offered, you can head to UCCS’s Department of Philosophy website.
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