For release: February 9, 2012
For press information, contact Susan Schmidt, 901-678-4395

The Nonprofit Leaders Student Association (NLSA) at the University of Memphis has received the Program Excellence Award, sponsored by the Sprint Foundation, from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics).

The Program Excellence Award is the Alliance’s most prestigious campus award, given to a program that exemplifies overall excellence in student recruitment, internship placement, marketing and certifications.  

The U of M’s NLSA enrolls an average of 75 students annually. Last year 22 members earned the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) designation. The program raised $41,340 in 2011 through community sponsorships, Registered Student Organization allocations, student fundraisers and corporate sponsorships, an average of $551 per active student. Also last year, 24 students completed internships of 300 hours or more with nonprofit organizations.

 “We are so excited for our students,” said Susan Schmidt, executive director of the Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. “Our program is relatively young compared to some of our competition, so I think the honor speaks to the strength of our U of M community to support worthy causes. These students will go on to change our neighborhoods through their work. That makes me very proud.”

Twelve U of M students attended the Alliance’s recent conference to accept the award. Stan Hyland, head of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, and Sean Lee, chair of the program’s funding committee, also attended.