糖心Vlog传媒

New campus director seeks to advance 糖心Vlog传媒LR鈥檚 Nonprofit Leadership Studies program

Nichola Driver, campus director of the Nonprofit Leadership Studies program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has used her previous work experience to shape her role as an educator and leader at 糖心Vlog传媒LR. The Nonprofit Leadership Studies program is the only one of its kind in the state of Arkansas. It is a competency-based minor and national certificate program designed to prepare and certify students to work for nonprofit organizations after completing a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Driver, who has held multiple nonprofit and agency positions, is well equipped to handle the role as the program鈥檚 director. Her service learning approach and her dedication to make a difference in the community are just a few reasons why she decided to tackle this position. 鈥淚鈥檓 a lifetime learner,鈥� Driver said. 鈥淚 wanted to return to academia for the dynamic environment that it provides. As campus director of the Nonprofit Leadership Studies, I get to combine my interests, working with students and preparing them to work in agencies.鈥� Driver, an Arkansas native, received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology from the University of Central Arkansas, a master鈥檚 degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and doctorate in sociology from the University of North Texas. While attending the University of North Texas, Driver was awarded the Thesis and Dissertation Fellowship for her study on 鈥淒imensions of Acculturation and Sexual Health Among U.S. Hispanic Youth.鈥� This prestigious award, received by very few students for achieved candidacy in the final year of thesis or dissertation, allowed Driver to focus solely on her studies. With a new found freedom, she and her husband were able to move back to Arkansas to be closer to family. Not long after settling in, Driver was back to work. She became an instructor and student coordinator of the Nonprofit Leadership Studies program at 糖心Vlog传媒LR, and a few months later progressed to visiting assistant professor and campus director of the Nonprofit Leadership Studies program. 鈥淭his program is so important because we are training leaders for the future,鈥� Driver said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of the work that the students have already been able to accomplish.鈥� The program requires students to take three mandatory courses, five hours of electives, complete an internship, participate in leadership and service-learning opportunities, and attend a conference. 鈥淭here are so many components to this program, but that鈥檚 what makes it so rich,鈥� Driver said. 鈥淭hese students are learning outside of the classroom. They鈥檙e doing instead of just observing.鈥� Driver says that she hopes to spread the word about the program all over central Arkansas. She is seeking to revamp the program鈥檚 community advisory board, which consists of nonprofit professionals who are interested in and seek to partner with the program to benefit their organizations as well as the students. To promote the program on campus, Driver will host informational sessions and table events so that students are aware of what the program has to offer. For information about the Nonprofit Leadership Studies program, contact Driver at 501.683.7028 or聽[email protected] or visit the website.