Welcome & Introduction

Nonprofit management is one of the few fields where academic training and lived experience genuinely meet in practice. The sector is always evolving, shaped by social needs, policy shifts, and community expectations, so leaders must be adaptable, thoughtful, and grounded in both mission and strategy. Pursuing graduate education in this field has allowed me to deepen my understanding of how nonprofits function, why they matter in a democratic society, and what it takes to lead organizations that are built to create meaningful and lasting change.

I chose the Master of Nonprofit Management and Master of Public Administration dual-degree pathway because I wanted a rigorous, comprehensive education that matched the complexity of the work I was already doing in the field. My professional life began in entry-level roles—volunteer, outreach coordinator, IT specialist—and has grown into executive leadership, including service as Interim CEO, Interim CFO, Chief Relationship Officer, First Vice President, and Chief of Staff, to name a few. Each step in that journey revealed the same truth: technical skill matters, but informed, ethical leadership matters just as much or even more. Graduate study gave me the opportunity to build the academic foundation that complements the practical experience I’ve gained over the last decade.

My decision to enroll in UCF’s program was also shaped by its partnership with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Through this pathway, I earned both the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) and Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP) credentials, which strengthened my understanding of national standards, sector-wide competencies, and best practices in leadership and organizational stewardship. These credentials became a natural extension of what I was learning in my courses and applying in real time within my organization.

Throughout my coursework, I’ve explored themes that align with the interests I expressed in my graduate school goal statement: strategic planning, organizational development, change management, and community-based impact. These themes appear consistently across the literature. For example, scholars often argue that effective nonprofit leadership requires the ability to navigate complex environments, align mission and resources, and create structures that support accountability (Worth, 2023). The program pushed me to think critically about these challenges, engage with evidence-based frameworks, and apply them to real organizational dilemmas.

The experience also strengthened my understanding of public service values. As I noted in my original goal statement, I see my work in this sector as part of a broader pursuit of eudaimonia—the idea that human flourishing comes from living well and doing good (Aristotle & Rackham, 1975). Serving communities, strengthening institutions, and building pathways for others to succeed are central to how I define a purposeful life. Graduate study helped me refine this philosophy and apply it with more clarity and intention.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue advancing within the nonprofit and public administration fields, with a long-term goal of serving as a nonprofit Chief Executive Officer and eventually pursuing a doctoral degree. My experience as an Interim CEO and in other executive leadership roles has shown me how important it is to guide organizations with strategy, clarity, and accountability, and I want to bring that level of leadership to a permanent CEO role in the future. At the same time, I am committed to deepening my academic work and expanding my presence in higher education. My service as a Visiting Instructor at Morehouse College confirmed how meaningful it is to teach, mentor, and help shape the next generation of leaders. I hope to bridge sector practice with academic research—contributing to what we know about after-school programs for minority youth, community development, and the long-term impact of nonprofits in underserved areas—while leading organizations at the highest level and strengthening the field through scholarship and teaching.

The MNM/MPA dual degree has prepared me to lead more effectively, think more critically, and bring a deeper level of academic rigor to the organizations I serve. It has sharpened my decision-making, enriched my understanding of public and nonprofit systems, and strengthened my commitment to ethical, community-centered leadership. As I move forward in my career, I plan to use these degree to continue expanding the impact of the organizations I work with, build new initiatives, and contribute to the sector through scholarship, teaching, and practice.

This ePortfolio reflects that journey—my growth, my work, my learning, and my preparation for the next phase of leadership and service through my progression in the MNM side of the dual program.

References

Aristotle, & Rackham, H. (1975). Nicomachean ethics (H. Rackham, Trans.). Harvard University Press. (Original work published ca. 350 B.C.E.)

Worth, M. J. (2023). Nonprofit management: Principles and practice (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Serrano-O’Neil, J. (2024). Fall 2024 goal statement (Revised) [Admissions Goal Statement]. 

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