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Graduates of Gen Next to be recognized


May 26, 2011

Class III of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation’s Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy (Gen Next) graduated from its 9-month training on May 13 at the A.E. England Building in Phoenix. Funded in part by a generous contribution from American Express, Gen Next is a cohort of the Valley’s top emerging nonprofit leaders, chosen to participate in training that provides them with the knowledge and tools needed to take on leadership roles within the nonprofit community. The program is comprised of best practice approaches to leading and managing nonprofits that include renowned professors and practitioner instructors at ASU as well as established nonprofit leaders from organizations that engage with the ASU Lodestar Center.

“We are proud of the role our ASU Lodestar Center has played to assure that leaders for the nonprofit sector are identified and advanced to their fullest potential,” said Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of ASU’s Lodestar Center and a professor of nonprofit studies in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development.  “The challenges of this sector demand leadership from the top professionals, and this graduating class has tremendous talent,” he added.

Laura Capello, manager of the Gen Next Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center, was impressed with this class of graduates. “Through the Gen Next program, participants learn from experts both in the academic field and the all areas of the nonprofit sector, and they can immediately take these skills back to the organizations in which they work. They also make strong lifelong connections with their fellow classmates and presenters who can act help them as they move into leadership roles within the nonprofit sector.”

Applications for Gen Next Class III are now available at http://lodestar.asu.edu. The application deadline is July 15, and potential applicants are encouraged to apply soon.

The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is recognized as a national leader in undergraduate and graduate nonprofit education, research and technical assistance. The ASU Lodestar Center exists to enhance the quality of life in communities through the advancement of nonprofit leadership practices and provides knowledge and tools to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, professionals, board members, donors and volunteers by offering a selection of capacity building workshops, conferences, classes, and programs. For more information, visit: http://lodestar.asu.edu.